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Technology roadmap — long-term targets

Where we want to go, with partners.

Internal R&D

Five concepts for co-development.

These are internal R&D directions, not products for sale. We aim to mature them through feasibility studies and funded projects with partners, and we welcome co-development.

Internal R&D directions — long-term targets
ConceptLong-term targetApplicationsStatus
SKY01Reconfigurable UHF/L/S GaN front-endUHFLSMulti-band defence radiosConcept
SKY02GaN PA MMIC, X / Ku / Ka variantsXKuKaSatellite terminals and payloadsConcept
SKY03Ku/Ka T/R moduleKuKaSatellite terminal front-endsConcept
SKY04Radar T/R module (band to be confirmed)Band to be agreedGround and airborne radarConcept
SKY05AESA tileBand to be agreedMobile satcom, airborne, uncrewed systemsConcept

SKY01–SKY05 identify research concepts. Specifications and development scope are agreed during feasibility studies. SKY01 explores the question of one hardware path for several bands; continuous coverage is not a demonstrated result.

Discuss co-development
Flagship concept

Reconfigurable UHF/L/S GaN front-end

Stage 1 of 6: Concept

The problem

A multi-band, multi-waveform radio can need additional RF paths, filters and switching to support several bands, depending on its architecture. Each path adds size, weight, power consumption and qualification effort. A front-end that reconfigures across UHF, L and S bands might replace several paths with one. The design question is how much of the matching, filtering and amplification can be shared across bands without degrading any of them.

What the concept would explore

One transmit and receive path for selected UHF, L- and S-band requirements, with reconfigurable matching and filtering around a wideband GaN power stage, and with low-noise amplification, switching and digital control completing the front-end. Whether one path can serve all three bands is the question the study is meant to answer.

The roadmap concepts

ConceptFlagship conceptSKY01

Reconfigurable UHF/L/S GaN front-end

Reconfigurable front-end · UHF, L and S bands

A concept intended to explore reconfigurable operation across selected UHF, L- and S-band requirements, with one transmit and receive path, for multi-band defence radios.

Reconfigurable UHF/L/S GaN front-end: concept architectureBlock diagram of the reconfigurable front-end. The transmit input feeds a wideband GaN power stage, then reconfigurable matching and filtering, then a transmit/receive switch at the antenna port. The receive path returns through receive protection and a low-noise amplifier to the receive output. Digital control sets the matching and filtering, the protection path and the switch.Transmit inputFrom the radioWideband GaNpower stageReconfigurablematching andfilteringTransmit/receiveswitching andantenna portDigital control · band selection, switching and tuningReceive outputTo the radioLow-noiseamplifierReceive protectionand bypassBlock in scopeScope to be agreedSignal flowControl
Concept architecture, functional view.
ConceptSKY02

GaN PA MMIC, X / Ku / Ka variants

Power amplifier MMIC · X, Ku and Ka bands

A GaN power amplifier MMIC concept, in band-specific variants for X, Ku and Ka bands, for satellite terminals, payloads and defence links.

GaN PA MMIC, X / Ku / Ka variants: concept architectureBlock diagram of one amplifier variant. The RF input feeds a driver stage, then a GaN power stage, then output matching and combining. Bias and protection supply and safeguard the driver and power stages. A thermal path runs through the die, the package and the board.RF inputSignal to amplifyDriver stageRaises the drive levelGaN power stageDelivers the powerOutput matchingand combiningBias and protection · supplies and safeguards each stageThermal path · die, package and boardBlock in scopeScope to be agreedSignal flowControl
Concept architecture, functional view.
ConceptSKY03

Ku/Ka T/R module

Transmit/receive module · Ku and Ka bands

A transmit/receive (TR) module concept for Ku-band and Ka-band satellite front-ends, combining power amplification, low-noise amplification, switching and control.

Ku/Ka T/R module: concept architectureBlock diagram of the module. The transmit input passes through phase and amplitude control to a power amplifier, then to a transmit/receive switching or circulator interface. The receive path returns from that interface through a low-noise amplifier and phase and amplitude control to the receive output. Digital control sets the phase and amplitude blocks and the switching.Transmit inputPhase and amplitudecontrolPower amplifierTransmit/receiveswitching orcirculatorinterfaceDigital control · gain, phase and switch settingsReceive outputPhase and amplitudecontrolLow-noiseamplifierBlock in scopeScope to be agreedSignal flowControl
Concept architecture, functional view.
ConceptSKY04

Radar T/R module (band to be confirmed)

Transmit/receive module

A transmit/receive (TR) module concept for C-band ground radar, combining power amplification, low-noise amplification, switching and control in a single module.

Radar T/R module (band to be confirmed): concept architectureBlock diagram of the transmit/receive chain. The transmit input feeds a power amplifier and then a transmit/receive switch or circulator at the antenna port. The receive path returns through receiver protection and a low-noise amplifier to the receive output. Digital control sets the power amplifier, the low-noise amplifier and the switch.Transmit inputPower amplifierTransmit/receiveswitch or circulatorand antenna portDigital control · switching and gain settingsReceive outputLow-noiseamplifierReceiverprotectionBlock in scopeScope to be agreedSignal flowControl
Concept architecture, functional view.
ConceptSKY05

AESA tile

Active antenna tile

An active electronically steered antenna tile concept that brings together beamforming, transmit/receive RF paths, calibration and thermal design.

AESA tile: concept architectureBlock diagram of the tile. An RF/IF interface connects in both directions to a beamformer, which connects to the transmit/receive RF paths, which connect to the radiating elements. Control and calibration act on the beamformer and the RF paths. A thermal design block sits under the whole tile.RF/IF interfaceTo the terminalBeamformerTransmit/receiveRF pathsRadiatingelementsControl and calibration · settings and RF path matchingThermal design · heat removal from the power amplifiersBlock in scopeScope to be agreedSignal flowControl
Concept architecture, functional view.
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