Sivers Unveils New SATCOM Beamforming ICs
Sivers Semiconductors has announced the general availability of its new Cloudchaser Ka-band beamforming ICs and antenna panels. These components are designed for next-generation phased array satellite communication terminals.
- The Ka-band satellite equipment market was valued at $4.37 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 10% between 2024 and 2032. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for high-speed internet, the expansion of IoT applications, and the commercialization of space. - Phased array antennas, which these ICs are designed for, utilize electronic beam steering, eliminating the need for moving parts. This increases reliability and is crucial for mobile platforms like ships, planes, and vehicles that need to maintain a constant satellite link. - Sivers' beamforming ICs are designed for multi-beam and multi-orbit connectivity, allowing a single terminal to communicate with satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) simultaneously. - A key application for this technology is in-flight connectivity. For instance, Delta Air Lines is equipping over 400 aircraft with Ka-band satellite systems to provide free Wi-Fi for its SkyMiles members. - Sivers has a strategic partnership with Doosan Corporation to develop and manufacture these Ka-band antenna panels, backed by a $1.5 million contract. This collaboration aims to serve both commercial and defense applications. - The company also has a significant partnership with a major European satellite company, including a $4.73 million contract for the development of next-generation beamformer chipsets expected to enter volume manufacturing in late 2025. - From a technical perspective, the Ka-band frequency allows for higher data transfer rates and more effective spectrum use compared to traditional bands. Sivers' ICs are built on a silicon platform which allows for a high level of integration, combining components like power amplifiers and low-noise amplifiers into a single chip. - The antenna panels and ICs are designed to be scalable, meaning they can be used to build everything from small, portable terminals to large gateway ground stations. This is achieved by tiling smaller subarray building blocks to meet different performance requirements.
