Akash granted FCC approval for satellite launch of GaN-on-diamond power amplifier

Akash Systems Inc of San Francisco, CA, USA – which was founded in 2016 by Felix Ejeckam and Ty Mitchell and is focused on developing and supplying small satellites (CubeSats) and the RF power amplifiers that power them – has been granted an Experimental Special Temporary Authority (STA) license from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a satellite launch featuring its proprietary gallium nitride (GaN)-on-diamond transmitter technology, which will be integrated into a Ka-band (17.2-20.2GHz) 3U radio transmitter and launched in a 12U CubeSat allowing for new levels of data transmission for customers to increase capacity and reduce end-user costs.

“This demo will showcase the use of our proprietary GaN-on-diamond radio-frequency (RF) amplifier technology,” says co-founder, CEO & GaN-on-diamond inventor Felix Ejeckam. “Beyond the capability to handle the increasing demands of today’s extreme data throughput, we are confident future adoption of the system will drive down end-user costs to levels never before seen.”

The satellite launch will demonstrate the transmitter’s capability to handle more than 5Gbps+ downlink speeds from a 10W 3U radio transmitter. Tentatively slated for early 2020, the launch will validate the data rates, reliability and space-qualification readiness of the GaN-on-diamond transmitter technology. The new technology enables a smaller, lighter and higher-performing satellite that will pave the way to lower launch costs, reduced cost-per-bit, more launch cycles, and increased communications access around the earth.

“Anyone buying our solid-state power amplifiers (SSPAs) to transmit data to or from space will be interested in the space worthiness and reliability of our SSPA products,” says Jeanette Quinlan, director of space systems. “This launch helps us capture that worthiness and reliability data for them.”

Akash says that it will continue to focus on scaling up and qualifying its GaN-on-diamond power amplifier product line, offering products with higher frequencies that will be announced in the months ahead.

See related items:

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Akash Systems formed to apply GaN-on-diamond technology to SatComs

RFHIC signs deal to acquire Element Six’s GaN on Diamond epiwafer technology

Tags: GaN-on-diamond

Visit: www.AkashSystemsInc.com