Anokiwave has released its second-generation Ku-Band beamformer ICs for the satellite communications market. The AWMF-0146 receive and AWMF-0147 transmit ICs provide beamforming for phased array antennas in commercial ground and airborne terminals connecting to LEO, MEO and GEO satellites.
Compared to the first generation ICs, the second-generation provides more digital functionality while improving performance and reducing cost, which will simplify the design of the active array according to Anokiwave. The highly integrated ICs interface with four, dual-polarization radiating elements, providing full polarization flexibility with automatic alignment and positioning to maintain links with the satellite. This generation reduces transmit power dissipation and receive noise figure. Assembled in a wafer level chip scale packages, the ICs simplify the interface with the phased array antenna elements, including the thermal design.
The AWMF-0146 and AWMF-0147 are available to the general market. To facilitate assessment of the devices and adoption, Anokiwave offers evaluation kits that include boards with the IC, USB-SPI interface module with drivers and all required cables.
“The new Ku-Band beamformer ICs and the previously released K/Ka-Band Gen 2 ICs offer SATCOM equipment manufacturers with options for both Ku- and K/Ka-Bands, while ensuring unmatched performance and low cost,” said Abhishek Kapoor, Anokiwave’s VP of sales.
