ETSI TR 104 657 V0.3.0 (2026-09)

• Abstract:

  DTR/SES-00486

• Status: Not Published
• Technical Committee: SES HARM - SES WG on R&TTE dir. 99/5/EC and and RED dir. 2014/53/EU
• Current Stage: 8 - Draft receipt by ETSI Secretariat
• Due Date: 08-Oct-2026
• Completion Date: 24-Sep-2026

ETSI TR 104 657 V1.1.1 (2026-09)

TECHNICAL REPORT
Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES);
Deployment scenarios and
hENs merger analysis
2 ETSI TR 104 657 V1.1.1 (2026-09)

Reference
DTR/SES-00486
Keywords
earth station, harmonised standard, measurement,
methodology, satellite, technical solution, test

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ETSI
3 ETSI TR 104 657 V1.1.1 (2026-09)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 5
Foreword . 5
Modal verbs terminology . 5
Executive summary . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 References . 6
2.1 Normative references . 6
2.2 Informative references . 6
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations . 8
3.1 Terms . 8
3.2 Symbols . 8
3.3 Abbreviations . 8
4 Objectives and Scope of this study . 9
5 Methodology for the mapping and selection of priorities hENs . 10
6 Deployment Scenarios . 10
6.0 General . 10
6.1 Fixed Earth Stations (GEO). 10
6.2 Tracking Earth Stations (NGSO) . 11
6.3 Land mobile earth stations. 11
6.4 Maritime earth stations . 11
6.5 Aeronautical earth stations . 11
6.6 Narrowband and low-bit-rate terminals . 11
6.7 Earth Stations in Motion (ESIM) . 11
7 Mapping deployment scenarios to hENs . 12
7.0 General . 12
7.1 Mapping for Fixed Earth Stations (GEO) . 12
7.2 Mapping for Tracking Earth Stations (NGSO) . 12
7.3 Mapping for Land Mobile Earth Stations . 13
7.4 Mapping for Maritime Earth Stations . 14
7.5 Mapping for Aeronautical Earth Stations . 14
7.6 Mapping for Narrowband and Low Bit Rate Terminals . 15
7.7 Mapping for Earth Stations in Motion (ESIM). 15
8 Alignment and merging assessment across hENs . 16
8.0 General . 16
8.1 Drivers for alignment and structural review . 16
8.1.0 General . 16
8.1.1 Technology evolution drivers . 17
8.1.2 Measurement methodology drivers . 17
8.1.3 Deployment scenario drivers . 18
8.1.4 Cross-EN structural drivers (from ETSI TR 104 305 clusters) . 18
8.2 Identification of transversal alignment activities . 18
8.2.0 General . 18
8.2.1 Alignment of architectural assumptions . 19
8.2.2 Alignment of measurement methods and test setups . 19
8.2.3 Alignment of antenna-related provisions . 19
8.2.4 Alignment of emission-related clauses . 19
8.2.5 Alignment of Control and Monitoring Functions (CMFs) . 19
8.2.6 Alignment of terminology and definitions . 20
8.3 Mapping of use cases and deployment scenarios to affected hENs . 20
8.3.0 General . 20
8.3.1 Mapping of use cases . 20
ETSI
4 ETSI TR 104 657 V1.1.1 (2026-09)
8.3.2 Mapping of deployment scenarios . 20
8.3.3 Mapping of technology evolution . 20
8.3.4 Mapping of measurement evolution . 21
8.3.5 Identification of hENs requiring alignment . 21
8.4 Assessment of potential merger of selected hENs . 23
8.4.0 General . 23
8.4.1 Criteria for evaluating technical convergence. 23
8.4.2 Assessment case 1: ETSI EN 303 979 and ETSI EN 303 699 . 23
8.4.3 Assessment case 2: ETSI EN 301 443 and ETSI EN 301 447 . 23
8.4.4 Assessment case 3: ETSI EN 301 427, ETSI EN 302 340, ETSI EN 302 448 and ETSI EN 302 977 . 23
8.4.5 Comparative outcome of the three assessments . 24
8.4.6 Structural implications of a potential merging . 24
8.4.7 Boundary conditions and limitations applicable to any merging scenario . 24
8.4.8 Implications for subsequent work . 24
8.4.8.0 General . 24
8.4.8.1 Consolidation of aligned provisions . 24
8.4.8.2 Integration of merging-related outcomes . 24
8.4.8.3 Drafting sequence and document dependencies . 25
8.4.9 Other implications of potential merger of some hENs . 25
9 Conclusions . 25
10 Recommendations for selecting priority hENs for update . 25
Annex A: Bibliography . 28
History . 30

ETSI
5 ETSI TR 104 657 V1.1.1 (2026-09)
Intellectual Property Rights
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Foreword
This Technical Report (TR) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Satellite Earth Stations and Systems
(SES).
Modal verbs terminology
In the present document "should", "should not", "may", "need not", "will", "will not", "can" and "cannot" are to be
interpreted as described in clause 3.2 of the ETSI Drafting Rules (Verbal forms for the expression of provisions).
"must" and "must not" are NOT allowed in ETSI deliverables except when used in direct citation.
Executive summary
The present document reviews the contents of several Harmonised Standards under the purview of ETSI TC SES to
ensure their requirements remain current amid the rapid expansion of satellite-based services. The study contained in
the present document is focused on an initial list provided by the contractual requirements of ETSI plus additional ENs
proposed by experts, in summary, assessing the hEN under review for continued compliance with the RED while
identifying specific topics requiring further consideration due to technology evolution since the ENs were initially
produced. The study contained in the present document focuses on identifying the scenarios and use cases where the
targeted hENs are used and finally the present document provides a prioritized list of hEN to be reviewed in detail.

ETSI
6 ETSI TR 104 657 V1.1.1 (2026-09)
1 Scope
The present document, as part of the Experts Group, aims to deliver a report covering deployment scenarios, Mapping
hENs and use cases resulting from the recommendations and analysis reported in the ETSI TR 104 305 [i.1]
The present document analyses new functionalities and enhancements required for each service (FSS with LEO, FSS
with MEO, FSS with GEO, MSS with LEO, MSS with GEO, etc.), based on the use cases and requirements identified
in ETSI TR 104 305 [i.1]. It proposes various solutions that can support these enhancements. The solutions discussed
include deployment scenarios for each use case. The present document also prioritizes the group of hENs which will
require urgent technology updates.
In the analysis of the study contained in the present document, due examination has been taken also on potential for
merger some existing ENs into single a (i.e. several hENs addressing earth stations in motion). However, the merger of
several hENs, where these hENs are already included in a variety of regulatory frameworks (at international and
national levels) raises significant challenges because while the technical merger of some hENs will represent a major
improvement and efficiency of the hENs from the technical point of view, such merger would have the potential to raise
additional work in the legal and regulatory frames, where those hENs are already mentioned or adopted. The inclusion
of new hENs in the standardization system of each country follows specific national procedures the timing of which
may raise issues beyond the technical advantages of a potential merger of some hENs.
A prioritization of hENs is also carried out.
2 References
2.1 Normative references
Normative references are not applicable in the present document.
2.2 Informative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long-term validity.
The following referenced documents may be useful in implementing an ETSI deliverable or add to the reader's
understanding, but are not required for conformance to the present document.
[i.1] ETSI TR 104 305 (V1.1.1): "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Study of potential
updates to certain harmonised ENs due to technology evolution, methods of measurements and
regulatory updates".
[i.2] ETSI EN 303 699: "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Fixed earth stations
communicating with non-geostationary satellite systems in the 20 GHz and 30 GHz FSS bands;
Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum".
[i.3] ETSI EN 303 978: "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Earth Stations on Mobile
Platforms (ESOMP) communicating with satellites in geostationary orbit, operating in the
27,5 GHz to 30,0 GHz and 17,3 GHz to 20,2 GHz frequency bands; Harmonised Standard for
access to radio spectrum".
[i.4] ETSI EN 303 979: "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Harmonised Standard for Earth
Stations on Mobile Platforms (ESOMP) transmitting towards satellites in non-geostationary orbit,
operating in the 27,5 GHz to 29,1 GHz and 29,5 GHz to 30,0 GHz frequency bands covering the
essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive 2014/53/EU".
ETSI
7 ETSI TR 104 657 V1.1.1 (2026-09)
[i.5] ETSI EN 303 980: "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Fixed and in-motion Earth
Stations communicating with non-geostationary satellite systems (NEST) in the 11 GHz to
14 GHz frequency bands; Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum".
[i.6] ETSI EN 301 427: "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Harmonised Standard for low data
rate Mobile satellite Earth Stations (MES) except aeronautical mobile satellite earth stations,
operating in the 11/12/14 GHz frequency bands covering the essential requirements of article 3.2
of the Directive 2014/53/EU".
[i.7] ETSI EN 301 442: "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Harmonised Standard for NGSO
Mobile Earth Stations (MES) including handheld earth stations, for Satellite Personal
Communications Networks (S-PCN) operating in the 1 980 MHz to 2 010 MHz (earth-to-space)
and 2 170 MHz to 2 200 MHz (space-to-earth) frequency bands under the Mobile Satellite Service
(MSS)".
[i.8] ETSI EN 301 443: "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Harmonised Standard for Very
Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT); Transmit-only, transmit-and-receive, receive-only satellite
earth stations operating in the 4 GHz and 6 GHz frequency bands covering the essential
requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive 2014/53/EU".
[i.9] ETSI EN 301 447: "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Satellite Earth Stations on board
Vessels (ESVs) operating in the 4/6 GHz frequency bands allocated to the Fixed Satellite Service
(FSS); Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum".
[i.10] ETSI EN 301 459: "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Harmonised Standard for Satellite
Interactive Terminals (SIT) and Satellite User Terminals (SUT) transmitting towards satellites in
geostationary orbit, operating in the 29,5 GHz to 30,0 GHz frequency bands covering the essential
requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive 2014/53/EU".
[i.11] ETSI EN 301 721: "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Harmonised Standard for Mobile
Earth Stations (MES) providing Low Bit Rate Data Communications (LBRDC) using Low Earth
Orbiting (LEO) satellites operating below 1 GHz frequency band".
[i.12] ETSI EN 302 340: "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Harmonised Standard for satellite
Earth Stations on board Vessels (ESVs) operating in the 11/12/14 GHz frequency bands allocated
to the Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the
Directive 2014/53/EU".
[i.13] ETSI EN 302 448: "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Harmonised Standard for tracking
Earth Stations on Trains (ESTs) operating in the 14/12 GHz frequency bands covering the
essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive 2014/53/EU".
[i.14] ETSI EN 302 574 (all parts): "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Harmonised Standard
for Mobile Earth Stations (MES) operating in the 1 980 MHz to 2 010 MHz (earth-to-space) and
2 170 MHz to 2 200 MHz (space-to-earth) frequency bands; Part 3: User Equipment (UE) for
narrowband systems".
[i.15] ETSI EN 303 984: "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Earth Stations on board Aircraft
(ESOA) communicating with non-geostationary satellite systems in the 10,7 GHz to 12,75 GHz
and 12,75 GHz to 13,25 GHz frequency bands; Harmonised Standard for access to radio
spectrum".
[i.16] ETSI EN 302 977: "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Harmonised Standard for
Vehicle-Mounted Earth Stations (VMES) operating in the 14/12 GHz frequency bands covering
the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive 2014/53/EU".
[i.17] ETSI EN 303 981: "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Fixed and in-motion Wide Band
Earth Stations communicating with non-geostationary satellite systems (WBES) in the 11 GHz to
14 GHz frequency bands; Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum".
ETSI
8 ETSI TR 104 657 V1.1.1 (2026-09)
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Terms
Void.
3.2 Symbols
Void.
3.3 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:
AES Aeronautical Earth Station
CMF Control and Monitoring Functions
EIRP Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power
EN European Standard
ESIM Earth Station In Motion
ESOA Earth Station On board Aircraft
ESOMP Earth Station On Mobile Platform
EST Earth Station on Train
ESV Earth Station on Vessel
ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute
EU European Union
FSS Fixed Satellite Service
GEO Geostationary Earth Orbit
GSO Geostationary Satellite Orbit
hEN Harmonised Standard
IoT Internet of Things
LBRDC Low Bit Rate Data Communications
LEO Low Earth Orbit
MEO Medium Earth Orbit
MES Mobile Earth Station
MSS Mobile Satellite Service
NEST Fixed and in-motion Earth Stations communicating with Non-Geostationary satellite system
NGSO Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit
OATS Open Area Test Site
OTA Over-the-Air
RED Radio Equipment Directive
SIT Satellite Interactive Terminal
S-PCN Satellite Personal Communications Network
SUT Satellite User Terminal
TC Technical Committee
TR Technical Report
UE User Equipment
VMES Vehicle Mounted Earth Station
VSAT Very Small Aperture Terminal
WBES Fixed and in-motion Wide Band Earth Stations communicating with non-geostationary satellite
systems
ETSI
9 ETSI TR 104 657 V1.1.1 (2026-09)
4 Objectives and Scope of this study
The study contained in the present document represents the next technical phase following ETSI TR 104 305 [i.1],
building directly on the technology evolution and use-case assessment carried out. While ETSI TR 104 305 [i.1]
established how satellite earth station technologies and deployment scenarios are changing, this further study examines
the implications of these developments for the structure and coherence of the existing hENs. Its role is to identify where
updates, harmonisation, or potential consolidation may be required to ensure that the standards remain aligned with
modern operational conditions. The outcomes of the study contained in the present document provide the technical basis
for the drafting activities of the selected hENs and guide the subsequent evolution of the hEN framework under
TC SES.
The study contained in the present document acts as the bridge between the technology and use-case evolution
identified in ETSI TR 104 305 [i.1] and the concrete revision work to be undertaken in subsequent phases of the study.
Its role is to assess how emerging deployment scenarios, modern antenna platforms, and multi-orbit operation affect the
structure and coherence of existing hENs, identifying where requirements remain adequate, where transversal updates
are needed, and where consolidation of standards may improve clarity and long-term maintainability. By analysing
overlaps in architecture, measurement methods, emission behaviour, and operational environments, the study contained
in the present document determines coherent groups of hENs for harmonisation or merging and prioritizes those
requiring urgent updates. The present document provides the technical foundation for further detailed review of the
selected hENs, guiding the scope, structure, and sequencing of the drafting work and enabling the development of
revised hENs that are robust, future-proof, and aligned with RED essential requirements.
The present document builds directly upon the analytical foundation established in ETSI TR 104 305 [i.1] and serves as
the bridge between the identification of technology-driven update needs and the structured revision of Harmonised
Standards (hENs) to be carried out subsequently. While ETSI TR 104 305 [i.1] focuses on expert input collection,
technology evolution analysis, and the identification of required updates across the hENs under review, the present
document transforms these findings into deployment-driven scenarios, cross-standard mappings, and strategic decisions
regarding the potential merging or consolidation of hENs. The present document therefore plays a pivotal role in
ensuring that the revision process is coherent and aligned with the operational realities of modern satellite earth station
technologies.
The use cases and technology evolution identified in ETSI TR 104 305 [i.1] translates into deployment scenarios across
GEO, MEO, and LEO satellite networks, and across maritime, aeronautical, land mobile, fixed, tracking, and
narrowband earth station categories. By mapping these deployment scenarios to the hENs under review, the present
document identifies where standards overlap, where they diverge, and where consolidation would improve clarity,
reduce redundancy, and simplify compliance for manufacturers, notified bodies, and laboratories. This mapping also
enables to determine which hENs require update, which require structural reorganization, and which may be merged
into unified standards addressing multiple operational environments or frequency bands.
The present document considers the consistency of requirements and measurement methods across the hENs, using the
semantic clustering and cross-EN consolidation matrix produced in ETSI TR 104 305 [i.1] as a basis. This evaluation
identifies transversal issues-such as antenna-related provisions, off-axis EIRP masks, spurious emission limits, receiver
performance requirements, CMF references, and test site definitions-that should be harmonised across standards.
The present document defines the strategic roadmap for hEN revision, based on the prioritization of expert comments
and the urgency assessments provided by ETSI TR 104 305 [i.1], establishing a clear sequence for updating the hENs,
identifying which standards should be revised first, which require deeper structural changes, and which can be
addressed through harmonisation or consolidation. This roadmap guides Experts Group in the drafting of revised hENs
and ensures that the revision process is both technically justified and operationally feasible.
The present document transforms the analytical results of ETSI TR 104 305 [i.1] into a coherent strategy for updating,
harmonising, and future potentially merging the hENs under the responsibility of ETSI TC SES. It ensures that the
revision process reflects real deployment conditions, aligns with modern satellite technologies, and supports long-term
regulatory clarity under the Radio Equipment Directive. The analysis of the present document is therefore essential for
bridging the gap between expert-driven analysis and the practical drafting of optimized Harmonised Standards (hENs).
The present document therefore encompasses the following main activities: the expansion of ETSI TR 104 305 [i.1] use
cases into deployment scenarios; the mapping of these scenarios to the hENs under review; the identification and
justification of hEN consolidation opportunities; and the formulation of a structured revision roadmap for subsequent
updates of the selected hENs. The present document does not revise the hENs itself, but it provides the analytical and
strategic framework that enables further experts standardization activities to produce technically robust, harmonised,
and future-proof standards.
ETSI
10 ETSI TR 104 657 V1.1.1 (2026-09)
5 Methodology for the mapping and selection of
priorities hENs
The methodology applied follows a structured analytical process designed to identify transversal alignment needs across
the hEN framework and to determine whether any standards exhibit sufficient convergence to warrant further
assessment. The approach builds directly on the operational contexts, technological developments, and measurement
considerations established in ETSI TR 104 305 [i.1].
Firstly the operational conditions described in the use cases and deployment scenarios are examined. This step allowed
identification of functional aspects-such as dynamic pointing, scan-dependent gain, stabilization logic, and NGSO
tracking-that appear across multiple hENs and therefore represent transversal impacts.
The analysis then focused on technological evolution, particularly the adoption of electronically steerable antennas and
advanced receiver architecture. Then, the analysis continues by reviewing how these technologies are addressed in each
hEN and identified cases where comparable functional characteristics are treated with differing clause structures or
definitions, indicating the need for aligned architectural and antenna-related provisions.
A third component of the methodology examined measurement practices across the hEN framework. OTA
configurations, off-axis assessment methods, and receiver evaluation procedures were compared to determine where
legacy approaches no longer reflect modern terminal functionalities and where multiple hENs rely on similar
measurement structures with minor variations.
The analysis also conducted a structural comparison of the hENs under revision, analysing clause organization,
definitions, transversal elements, and the treatment of emission-related and receiver-related topics. This structural
mapping provided the basis for identifying clusters of standards addressing comparable technical content.
The analysis established objective criteria-structural, functional, technological, and measurement-related-to evaluate
whether any hENs exhibit a level of convergence that may justify further assessment. These criteria define the
analytical framework used without presupposing any specific outcome.
6 Deployment Scenarios
6.0 General
The deployment scenarios translate the use cases and technology evolution identified in ETSI TR 104 305 [i.1] into
concrete operational contexts that reflect how satellite earth stations are deployed across GEO, MEO, and LEO
networks. These scenarios provide the operational foundation required to understand how the targeted hENs apply in
practice, where their scopes overlap, and where inconsistencies or redundancies emerge. By grounding the analysis in
real deployment conditions, the analysis ensures that subsequent decisions regarding harmonisation, restructuring, or
consolidation of hENs are technically justified and aligned with the realities of modern satellite systems.
6.1 Fixed Earth Stations (GEO)
Fixed earth stations operating in geostationary networks represent the most traditional deployment scenario. These
terminals typically rely on mechanically steered antennas, stable pointing geometries, and continuous operation toward
a single GEO satellite. Their regulatory constraints, off-axis emission aspects, and measurement methods are well
established, but several hENs addressing fixed stations embed assumptions that no longer fully reflect current
technology, particularly in relation to flat-array antennas and dynamic payload architectures. The analysis maps these
fixed deployments to the existing hENs and identifies where updates are required to accommodate modern antenna
technologies and evolving GEO system characteristics.
ETSI
11 ETSI TR 104 657 V1.1.1 (2026-09)
6.2 Tracking Earth Stations (NGSO)
Tracking earth stations supporting non-geostationary constellations operate with highly dynamic pointing geometries,
frequent handovers, Doppler variations, and time-varying interference conditions. The assumptions embedded in several
hENs do not fully capture the operational ambient of NGSO tracking terminals, especially when electronically steerable
antennas are used. The analysis covers how NGSO tracking deployments interact with the requirements and
measurement methods of the relevant hENs and identifies where updates or harmonisation are necessary to ensure
regulatory clarity.
6.3 Land mobile earth stations
Land mobile earth stations operate on vehicles or portable platforms and may rely on mechanically steered antennas or
electronically steerable arrays. Their mobility introduces rapid changes in orientation, blockage, and multipath
conditions, which directly affect off-axis emissions, receiver performance, and control and monitoring functions. The
analysis covers evaluation of how land mobile deployments map to the hENs under review and identifies where
requirements or measurement methods need to be updated to reflect modern land-based mobility patterns.
6.4 Maritime earth stations
Maritime earth stations installed on vessels experience continuous motion, dynamic roll and pitch, and varying
environmental conditions. Historically, maritime earth stations were addressed by separate hENs depending on
frequency band, but the analysis also identifies that modern deployments increasingly share common antenna
architectures, mobility patterns, and operational constraints across Ku-band and Ka-band systems. The analysis
therefore examines how maritime deployments interact with the hENs under review and identifies where consolidation
or harmonisation may be justified.
6.5 Aeronautical earth stations
Aeronautical earth stations installed on aircraft operate under highly dynamic conditions, including rapid changes in
attitude, high-speed movement, and complex blockage environments. Modern aeronautical terminals increasingly rely
on electronically steerable antennas and multi-orbit operation, which challenge several assumptions embedded in
existing hENs. The present document also analyses how aeronautical deployments map to the relevant hENs and
identifies where updates or structural reorganization are required to ensure consistency with current technologies.
6.6 Narrowband and low-bit-rate terminals
Narrowband and low-bit-rate terminals operating in LEO or GEO networks support specific services such as IoT
connectivity, messaging, and low-rate data communications. Their operational characteristics differ significantly from
broadband terminals, particularly in terms of waveforms, receiver sensitivity, and interference protection requirements.
The present document also evaluates how narrowband deployments interact with the hENs under review and identifies
where updates or harmonisation are needed to ensure that requirements remain aligned with modern narrowband
architectures.
6.7 Earth Stations in Motion (ESIM)
Earth Stations in Motion represent one of the most technologically dynamic categories addressed in ETSI
TR 104 305 [i.1]. ESIM terminals deployed on land, maritime, and aeronautical platforms increasingly share common
antenna technologies, multi-orbit capabilities, and dynamic network functions. The separation between ESIM hENs
based on operational environment or orbit type has become progressively narrower. The present document examines
how ESIM deployments map to the hENs under review and identifies where consolidation into unified ESIM standards
may improve clarity, reduce redundancy, and simplify compliance.
ETSI
12 ETSI TR 104 657 V1.1.1 (2026-09)
7 Mapping deployment scenarios to hENs
7.0 General
The purpose of this clause is to map the deployment scenarios defined in clause 6 to the Harmonised Standards (hENs)
under review. While ETSI TR 104 305 [i.1] identified the use cases and the technological evolution affecting the hENs
considered, the present document examines how each deployment scenario corresponds to specific standards, where
overlaps occur, and where gaps or inconsistencies emerge. This mapping provides the analytical foundation for
determining whether certain hENs require updates, structural reorganization, or consolidation. It also highlights cases
where multiple hENs address similar operational environments but differ only in frequency band, orbit type, or legacy
assumptions, thereby supporting the strategic decisions developed later in the present document.
The mapping process considers the operational characteristics of each deployment scenario, including antenna
architecture, mobility patterns, orbit types, waveforms, and regulatory constraints. For each scenario, the present
document identifies the hENs that currently apply, evaluates whether their scope and requirements remain appropriate,
and determines whether modern deployments challenge the assumptions embedded in the standards. This analysis
ensures that the revision roadmap developed in the present document is based in real deployment conditions and aligned
with the technological evolution documented in ETSI TR 104 305 [i.1].
7.1 Mapping for Fixed Earth Stations (GEO)
Fixed earth stations operating in geostationary networks correspond primarily to hENs that were developed under stable
pointing assumptions and continuous operation toward a single GEO satellite. These stations traditionally rely on
mechanically steered antennas, although modern deployments increasingly incorporate flat-array antennas and hybrid
architectures. The mapping of this deployment scenario to the hENs under review shows that several standards address
fixed GEO terminals either directly or indirectly, depending on their frequency band and service category.
The principal hENs associated with fixed GEO earth stations include those covering VSAT terminals, fixed service
earth stations, and GEO-based tracking. These standards generally assume static off-axis emission, well-defined
antenna radiation patterns, and measurement methods based on stable geometries. The present document identifies that
these assumptions remain valid for traditional mechanically steered antennas but may not fully capture the features of
modern electronically steerable arrays, which can introduce dynamic variations even in nominally fixed deployments.
As a result, certain requirements and measurement procedures may need to be updated to ensure consistency with
current antenna technologies.
The present document also observes that some hENs addressing fixed GEO terminals exhibit structural similarities,
particularly in their treatment of off-axis EIRP masks, spurious emissions, receiver performance, and control and
monitoring functions. These similarities suggest that further alignment is necessary, especially where standards differ
only in frequency band or legacy architectural assumptions. The mapping theref
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