Sivers Unveils New SATCOM Beamforming ICs
Sivers Semiconductors has announced the general availability of its new Cloudchaser Ka-band beamforming ICs and antenna panels. The components are designed for next-generation phased array satellite communication (SATCOM) terminals. This hardware is aimed at the broad market for satellite-based connectivity solutions.
- The "Cloudchaser" chipset supports dual-beam functionality, allowing a terminal to connect with two satellites simultaneously. This "make-before-break" capability is critical for maintaining uninterrupted connectivity during handoffs between satellites in different orbits or networks. - Ka-band frequencies (typically 26.5-40 GHz) offer significantly wider bandwidth than traditional C-band or Ku-band satellite communications, enabling much higher data throughput. This increased capacity is crucial for applications like high-speed internet access and 5G backhaul, especially in remote or underserved areas. - Electronically steered phased array antennas, which these ICs enable, offer significant advantages over traditional mechanical dish antennas. These include faster beam steering (microseconds), the ability to track multiple satellites, and improved reliability due to the absence of moving parts. - Sivers is collaborating with South Korea's Doosan Corporation to develop and manufacture the complete electronically steerable antenna (ESA) panels that incorporate these new ICs. This partnership aims to produce scalable solutions for both commercial and defense applications, from small terminals to large ground station gateways. - The market for Ka-band satellite equipment is expanding rapidly, with major players including SpaceX (Starlink), Viasat, and Hughes Network Systems driving innovation. This growth is fueled by the deployment of large LEO and MEO satellite constellations that rely on Ka-band for global coverage. - Sivers has been actively expanding its presence in the SATCOM market through strategic partnerships, including a multi-million dollar agreement with Polish company Thorium Space to develop chipsets for both ground terminals and in-space deployment on geostationary (GEO) satellites. - The compact and efficient nature of Ka-band components is particularly beneficial for defense and aerospace applications, where size, weight, and power (SWaP) are critical constraints. Electronically steered antennas reduce the physical profile and maintenance requirements for mobile and airborne terminals.
