The mobile communication landscape is undergoing a significant shift with the emergence of direct-to-cell (direct-to-device) satellite solutions. This technology leverages 5G’s integration of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) to bypass traditional infrastructure, enabling seamless cellular connectivity in remote locations, disaster zones, or areas with limited coverage. While initial deployments focus on text messaging, direct-to-cell has the potential to revolutionize mobile communication entirely.
Realizing the full potential of direct-to-cell for voice and data services necessitates advancements in several critical areas. Increased satellite capacity will be essential to handle the higher bandwidth demands of voice and data services. Additionally, advancements in antenna technology on both satellites and mobile devices will be necessary for efficient signal transmission and reception. Finally, robust protocols for managing network congestion and ensuring service quality across a hybrid terrestrial-satellite network will be crucial for a seamless user experience.
At the forefront of this shift lie Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations. These satellite networks, positioned closer to Earth, offer lower latency for faster data transmission – crucial for real-time cellular communication. Additionally, LEO constellations’ vast network coverage ensures high availability and redundancy for reliable connectivity.
Unlocking the full potential of direct-to-cell requires advancements in several key areas, with satellite payload antenna technology presenting a major hurdle. These antennas need to support hundreds to thousands of users simultaneously, efficiently managing resources for each individual connection.
SatixFy’s Prime 2.0 Beamformer ASIC with True Time Delay (TTD) capability plays a critical role in enabling full direct-to-cell functionality. At the heart of the solution is the Prime 2.0 ASIC, acting as the foundation and enabler of a high-performance payload antenna. Multiple Prime 2.0 ASICs, following an innovative reference design, can form various payload antenna sizes and configurations across a wide range of frequencies from L band to Ka band.
This innovative chip tackles two key challenges: beamforming and beam steering. TTD allows the LEO satellite to precisely allocate resources and optimize capacity for each user and location. This ensures efficient two-way data links, even for high-mobility LEOs. Prime 2.0’s beamforming capabilities enable the satellite to focus its signal on specific user locations, maximizing signal strength and minimizing interference. This combined functionality from SatixFy’s Prime 2.0 paves the way for reliable and efficient voice and data transmission over direct-to-cell satellite connections, ultimately enabling a true 5G link through a LEO constellation.
