C-COM phased array antenna achieves significant step towards commercialisation

C-COM Satellite Systems Inc., a leading global provider of commercial grade mobile auto-deploying satellite antenna systems, announced today that its electronically steerable phased array antenna has passed another milestone test, delivering good results at different scanned angles over the Telesat Anik F3 satellite.

“Our 1024-element electronically steerable Ka-band, prototype Phased Array Mobile Antenna, performed as expected during scanned angle testing,” said Bilal Awada, CTO of C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. “We were able to perform speed tests over satellite for scanned angles down to 50 degrees from vertical (antenna boresight),” added Awada.

“Measured over-the-air scan results are inline with theoretical numbers from our simulation model and this again validates the high performance of the compact, scalable antenna modules and overall system architecture for larger panels,” said Professor Ali Safavi-Naeini, Director of CIARS (Centre for Intelligent Antenna and Radio Systems) at the University of Waterloo.

“The modular, intelligent technology platform provides a cost-effective solution for a wide range of applications—from fixed to mobility satellite broadband services, and for the rapidly emerging millimeter-wave 5G cellular services”, he added.

The Company will continue to move forward and will conduct additional tests to verify the performance of the antenna over several different satellites, including GEO/LEO constellations, and to confirm mobility and interoperability of the new design.

This advanced phased array Ka-band antenna is expected to open new mobile vertical markets (land, marine, aero) for the Company.

The prototyping of a 4000-element antenna using the same building blocks to build the 1000-element antenna is in progress. The commercialization planning phase for this new antenna is underway.

“Today, we are much closer to achieving our objective of delivering an affordable, electronically steerable antenna system capable of operating over the latest constellations of LEO, MEO and GEO satellites, which will play a significant role in delivering broadband solutions to worldwide markets,” said Dr. Leslie Klein, President & CEO of C-COM Satellite Systems Inc.

C-COM expects Flat Panel Antennas (FPA), which comprise less than 1 percent of all satellite terminal market sales today, to constitute up to 15 percent of the market by 2030. According to Northern Sky Research, a global market research and consulting firm focused on the satellite and space sectors, FPA shipments could reach US$17 Billion over the next decade. “FPA’s will be in large demand worldwide over the coming decade and C-COM intends to be part of that market,” added Klein.