Developing next-generation satellite communications technology

The initiative is focused on technology developments for the Ku and Ka frequency bands, which provide higher bandwidth communications for applications such as commercial aviation broadband, satellite mobile broadband, and residential broadband enabled by full digital beamforming.

Under the co-funded contract, Adesto will develop innovative technologies including a new receiver architecture, IP blocks for satellite and 5G millimetre wave frequencies, a new Analog to Digital Converter (ADC), and discrete time analogue filtering.

Based on these complementary technologies, as a follow-up of the activity, Adesto will develop an ASIC product that its customers can use to create configurable satellite terminals with full digital beamforming capabilities and support for multiple satellite networks, including Geostationary Equatorial Orbit (GEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

The new agreement follows a successful initiative that was co-funded by the ESA and supported by a leading mobile satellite communications services operator, through which the Adesto team (as S3 Semiconductors) initiated the design of an innovative transceiver architecture and associated IP blocks supporting L-Band frequencies. The development was then carried out by Adesto, and end products based on this technology are shipping now targeting areas such as satellite phones, low data rate applications and satellite IoT applications such as asset tracking.

As it ramps up for the new initiative and other commercial engagements, Adesto is looking to expand in Ireland, with open positions in its Cork and Dublin locations, including those for senior engineering roles.

Dermot Barry, VP and General Manager, ASIC and IP Division, Adesto, said: “We’re delighted to collaborate with the European Space Agency to create innovative technologies that will provide a foundation for delivery of future broadband services. Our team has deep expertise in developing and delivering ASICs for satellite communications, with commercial deployments through multiple providers.

“We can leverage the new funding to continue to build our IP portfolio in this area, addressing growing customer needs. We can further expand our opportunity by accelerating time to market for our ASICs. The technology also fits well with our roadmap for standard product development.”