Satellite communications portfolio features first dual-beam active beamforming IC lineup

Renesas Electronics Corporation has expanded its portfolio of mmWave LNAs and Tx BFICs with three new dual-beam active beamforming ICs.

Providing best-in-class power consumption, noise figure, compact size and simplicity of integration, these new ICs are a critical enabler of next-generation, low-latency electronically steered antennas for in-flight connectivity, maritime, satcom-on-the-move, and low earth orbit ground terminals.

The new F61xx Rx devices are claimed to be the first commercial products to offer dual-beam capability for make-before-break or simultaneous multi-satellite, multi-orbit operation over the full Ku and Ka Satcom bands. They offer OEMs the flexibility of LNA selection and placement for improved noise figure and system G/T performance. Taking advantage of these features, the ICs have already been designed-in by major satcom solution providers and OEMs for half- and full-duplex systems, with anticipated production ramps starting in 2022.

“Our customers face three main challenges as they migrate from mechanical antennas to electronically steered antennas: Thermal management, physical integration and affordability,” said Naveen Yanduru, vice president of RF Communications Product Division at Renesas. “The new dual-beam F61xx devices deliver the cost-effective, power-efficient, low noise and compact size combination the industry needs for next-generation low-latency Satcom, radar and communications systems that will connect more people in more places.”

The second generation of these dual-beam beamforming ICs address the thermal, integration, and cost challenges designers face as they transition from bulky, mechanically steered antennas to the lower weight and leaner profile active electronically scanned array antennas. The new devices provide decreased power consumption, increased on-chip beam-state memory, and dual-beam operation (configurable for a single beam with 40% power savings), and highly improved RF performance. They complement the well-established sub-6GHz RFIC portfolio and the recent 5G mmWave product lines.