Key Takeaways
- Filtronic receives funding from the UK Space Agency to develop RF over IP technology for satellite ground infrastructure.
- The new technology aims to simplify and digitalize satellite communications, allowing RF signals to be transported over Ethernet networks.
- The project aligns with the shift towards software-defined and cloud-native satellite ground systems, enhancing scalability and operational efficiency.
Funding for Next-Generation Technology
Filtronic has been awarded funding through the UK Space Agency’s Ground Station Innovation Programme, part of the European Space Agency’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) Programme. The funding will support the development of next-generation Radio Frequency (RF) over Internet Protocol (IP) technology, essential for the industry’s transition to fully digital satellite ground infrastructure.
As satellite networks evolve to become more software-defined and cloud-native, traditional analogue architectures have become increasingly complex and costly. The existing infrastructure often depends on multiple frequency converters, modems, and extensive analogue cabling, creating a higher capital investment and operational complexity. This situation limits flexibility and scalability for operators.
Filtronic’s RF over IP solution directly connects the IP interface to the antenna, allowing RF signals to be transmitted over standard Ethernet networks. This innovation enables centralized RF processing in data centers or cloud environments, allowing existing RF equipment to fit seamlessly into modern, virtualized ground architectures. The new technology promises a simpler, more scalable, and software-driven ground segment for satellite communications.
The ARTES-funded project aims to create a demonstrator capable of handling up to 100Gb/s of optical data while maintaining multiple channels for simultaneous transmission and reception. It will be compatible with emerging satellite applications across wideband X, Ka, and V bands, integrating smoothly with Filtronic’s upcoming products, including millimeter-wave Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPAs), Block Upconverters (BUCs), and Low Noise Block converters (LNBs). These advancements will foster a new generation of digitally enabled RF products for satellite networks.
This project underscores Filtronic’s commitment to developing intelligent RF front-end technologies that connect physical and digital aspects of modern communications infrastructure. As the industry moves towards automated, software-defined, multi-orbit satellite networks, RF over IP technology will play a critical role in shaping future ground segment architectures.
Tudor Williams, Chief Technology Officer at Filtronic, stated, “RF over IP is a key enabling technology for future satellite ground networks. This programme strengthens our technology roadmap while reinforcing our relationship with the UK Space Agency and ESA, reflecting their confidence in our ability to innovate.”
Henny Sands, Head of Satellite Communications at UKSA, emphasized the significance of such projects for the UK, highlighting their potential to keep British industry at the forefront of satellite communications technology and contribute to new commercial opportunities and economic growth.
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