The world is becoming more connected every day, thanks to advances in satellite technology. Small satellites, which typically weigh between 10 to 100 kilograms, are playing an important role in expanding global communication.
However, one challenge they face is efficiently handling communication signals, known as communication beams.
These beams, which are essentially electromagnetic waves, come in two types: right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) and left-hand circular polarization (LHCP).
While larger satellites can manage both types of signals, smaller satellites usually struggle, limiting their communication capabilities.
Now, a team led by Associate Professor Atsushi Shirane at Tokyo Institute of Technology has found a solution.
Working alongside Axelspace, a satellite technology company in Japan, Dr. Shirane’s team has developed a new wireless chip that enables small satellites to handle both types of communication beams independently.
This breakthrough was presented at the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) 2025 in San Francisco.
Dr. Shirane explains that traditional satellite communication receivers have difficulty managing both RHCP and LHCP signals at the same time.
To overcome this, his team designed a special component called a switch-type quadrature-hybrid within the wireless chip. This hybrid splits a circularly polarized signal into two straight-line signals, creating a slight time delay between them.
This allows the chip to determine if the signal is spinning left or right, enabling it to recognize and handle both types of polarization.
The ability to manage both polarizations independently not only improves the communication capabilities of small satellites but also doubles the number of controllable communication beams.
This means more data can be transferred more efficiently, which is crucial as global demand for internet access grows, especially in underserved and remote areas.
One of the standout features of the new chip is its construction using CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) technology.
This technology is known for its low power consumption, compact size, and cost-effectiveness, making it ideal for satellite communication. Even more impressive is that the chip operates in the Ka-band frequency, which is famous for its high-speed data transfer.
This is the same frequency used by major satellite networks like SpaceX’s Starlink, ensuring compatibility with modern communication standards.
To confirm its performance, the new chip was tested in a satellite-mounted communication device and subjected to real-world signal tests. The results proved that it could reliably manage circular polarization beams while meeting the demanding requirements of satellite communication.
This innovation marks a major step forward in satellite technology. With the ability to handle more data at faster speeds, small satellites can now contribute even more to global connectivity.
This development promises to make high-speed internet more accessible and affordable, especially in areas that have long been disconnected from the digital world.
