Ka-band Beamforming ICs for SATCOM Arrays

Sivers Semiconductors AB introduced a 576-element Ka-band transmit array and associated beamforming ICs at MWC Barcelona, held March 2–5, 2026, in Barcelona, Spain. The platform targets electronically steered satellite communication (SATCOM) ground terminals for commercial, defense, and telecom applications.

Demonstration at MWC Barcelona
At Hall 5, Stand 5E2, Sivers demonstrated a live Ka-band transmit antenna array integrating its recently announced Cloudchaser chipset. The flat-panel system, branded Maverick, consists of a 576-element electronically steered array designed for SATCOM ground terminals operating in the Ka frequency band, commonly used for high-throughput satellite links.

The transmit (BFM02701) and receive (BFM02702) beamforming modules, along with the Cloudchaser chipset components—BLUEWAY1721, STAMPEDE2731, and STAMPEDE2731LP—are available for customer sampling. The chipset architecture is intended to support active phased-array designs in compact form factors suitable for mobile and fixed ground terminals.

Architecture and Technical Context
The 576-element configuration indicates a high-density phased-array design enabling electronic beam steering without mechanical movement. In Ka-band SATCOM systems, such arrays support higher data throughput by operating in frequency ranges typically around 26.5–40 GHz, where wider bandwidth allocations are available compared with lower bands.

Beamforming ICs in this class integrate RF front-end functionality, phase shifting, gain control, and signal routing to enable dynamic beam steering and link optimization. By embedding these functions at chip level, system designers can reduce RF interconnect complexity and enable flatter, lighter terminal designs—an essential requirement for mobile platforms, aeronautical connectivity, and next-generation broadband ground stations.

Sivers states that its RF and mmWave portfolio is designed to support higher data rates, reduced latency, and increased system integration across both 5G and SATCOM infrastructures. The technical relevance lies in the convergence of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, where phased-array beamformers play a central role in enabling multi-orbit and multi-band interoperability within the broader automotive data ecosystem and telecom infrastructure markets.

Market Positioning and Application Areas
According to Global Market Insights’ 2024 report, the serviceable available market for SATCOM ground-terminal beamformers is projected to reach approximately USD 0.5 billion by 2030. Growth is driven by demand for electronically steered antennas in broadband satellite constellations and sovereign connectivity programs.

Sivers reports commercial engagement around its Maverick array and Cloudchaser chipset, including interest linked to strategic satellite initiatives such as IRIS2 in Europe, as well as programs in the United States and Asia. Such initiatives require scalable, electronically steerable ground terminals capable of supporting high-throughput links and resilient network architectures.

Technical Relevance for System Integrators
For system integrators, the combination of sampling-ready beamformer ICs and a validated 576-element reference array reduces development risk in Ka-band SATCOM terminals. Flat-panel, electronically steered designs eliminate mechanical tracking systems, improving reliability and reducing maintenance in mobile and harsh-environment deployments.

By integrating beamforming, RF front-end functionality, and array architecture within a compact footprint, the platform addresses system-level requirements for bandwidth scalability, integration density, and power efficiency—key factors in next-generation satellite and 5G backhaul deployments.

www.sivers-semiconductors.com