Sivers Semiconductors Expands Into High-Frequency SATCOM with ESA-Funded Project

Sivers Semiconductors Expands Into High-Frequency SATCOM with ESA-Funded Project
by Robert Schreiber
Kista, Sweden (SPX) Jan 31, 2024

Sivers Semiconductors AB (STO:SIVE), a notable player in the semiconductor industry, has recently made a significant stride in satellite communication technology. The company's business unit, Sivers Wireless, has been granted a substantial euro 0.6 million (approximately 6.7 MSEK) by the European Space Agency (ESA), earmarked for an ambitious project in the realm of satellite communication chips.

Over the next 1.5 years, Sivers Wireless will channel these funds into the design of a cutting-edge Q-/V-band direct quadrature demodulator chip, specifically tailored for space applications. This project marks a notable shift in satellite communication, as current links predominantly operate within the Ku (10-15GHz) and Ka (17-31GHz) frequency bands.

However, the burgeoning interest in higher bands, notably the Q (33-50GHz) and V (40-75GHz) bands, is opening new horizons for next-generation satellite links. These higher bands are prized for their ability to support wider bandwidths and greater data rates, crucial for the evolving demands of satellite communication.

The expertise of Sivers Wireless in Q and V band products, particularly those developed for 5G and 60GHz applications, positions the company as a frontrunner in this venture. By leveraging this experience, Sivers Wireless is set to contribute significantly to the development of new products in these bands for satellite communications (SATCOM).

Anders Storm, CEO of Sivers Semiconductors, underscores the importance of this development, stating, "Q-/V-band will enable Very High Throughput Satellites (VHTS), through the unlocking of this massive new available bandwidth at these higher mmWave frequencies, which will drive the next-generation LEO and MEO satellite constellations." This statement highlights the potential of these high-frequency bands to revolutionize satellite communication, particularly in the context of increasingly sophisticated LEO and MEO satellite constellations.

This grant from ESA is not the first acknowledgment of Sivers Wireless's prowess in the field. In fact, it represents the third federal funding award the company has received in less than six months.

"Sivers has now been acknowledged by three major government organizations in a very short time period," Storm adds, reflecting on the company's growing reputation in the satellite communication space. The recognition from entities such as the EU, ESA, and DARPA not only cements Sivers Wireless as a trustworthy vendor in satellite communications but also highlights its standing as a major ecosystem vendor.