News: Microelectronics
17 December 2020
Altum RF wins two-year ESA contract
Altum RF of Eindhoven, The Netherlands (a supplier of high-performance RF to millimeter-wave solutions for next-generation markets and applications) has announced a two-year contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) under the ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) Advanced Technology program to design and develop gallium nitride (GaN) Ka-band high-power amplifiers for very small aperture terminals (VSATs).
Starting in January, the project’s objective is to develop Ka-band high-efficiency power amplifiers, using a cost-effective package solution. These high-power amplifiers are well suited for VSATs (two-way ground stations that transmit and receive data from satellites).
The “strategically aligned project” with ESA will “further strengthen our product growth and development plans over the next two years,” says Altum RF’s CEO Greg Baker. “This contract award also establishes the confidence ESA shows in our innovative design and solid execution capabilities,” he adds.
“From a highly respected organization, the ESA contract recognizes the GaN design capabilities Altum RF has demonstrated and allows us to continue expanding our design and development activities in the Eindhoven office,” says Niels Kramer, managing director Europe & VP marketing.
“The ARTES Advanced Technology program is dedicated to the innovative technological development of the satcom industry and its applications,” says Elodie Viau, ESA’s director of telecommunication & integrated applications. “We are delighted to be able to assist Altum RF in developing this ground equipment – which represents a very promising new technology for future and evolving space-based telecommunication services.”
