New Satellite User Terminal Chips

EnSilica plc (AIM:ENSI), a leading chip maker of mixed-signal ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), is pleased to announce the release of two Ku-band beamformer ICs, addressing the need of user terminals for Eutelsat OneWeb1 and other European constellations.

The Ku-band covers the radio frequencies between 10.7GHz to 14.5GHz used by Low Earth Orbit systems such as Eutelsat OneWeb, as well as a range of Medium Earth Orbit and Geostationary Earth Orbit constellations.

EnSilica's two new ICs are both separate, receive and transmit ICs, offering a highly integrated, low-power and low-cost solution. Many hundreds of beamformer ICs are required in each user terminal, resulting in power and cost being key selection criteria for customers. The ICs will be fabricated and tested in Europe, providing a European sovereign supply chain, and meet the qualification requirements for demanding applications such as aviation, defence and automotive.

EnSilica has been supported by the European Space Agency and the UK Space Agency in developing chipsets for use in satellite terminals and already has both a Ka-band beamformer IC and a digital beamformer IC focused across mass-market satellite user terminals.

Ian Lankshear, CEO of EnSilica, commented:

"We are pleased to be offering what we believe will be a key component in delivering European-built products to market that enhance satellite broadband connectivity, crucial in a time of geopolitical instability.

EnSilica continues to offer innovative solutions for the fast-growing satellite communications market and aims to provide a resilient and secure source of chips fabricated and tested in Europe."

• Eutelsat OneWeb is part of the Eutelsat Group, the world's first integrated GEO-LEO integrated satellite communications operator, transforming space communications.