Qorvo GaN and GaAs amplifiers selected for Syrlinks’ telemetry, tracking and control modules in Airbus OneWeb LEO satellites

Qorvo Inc of Greensboro, NC, USA (which provides core technologies and RF solutions for mobile, infrastructure and defense applications) says that its amplifiers are being used in the telemetry, tracking and control modules developed by Syrlinks of Cesson-Sévigné, near Rennes, France, for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The first six satellites of the constellation, designed by Airbus OneWeb Satellites, were recently launched to provide internet connectivity almost anywhere in the world. Qorvo says that the reliability and performance of its products reduce stress on the satellite power systems and ensure signal integrity in both transmit and receive modes.

Syrlinks specializes in radio communication and geolocation subsystems for space, defense and safety applications. Its NewSpace products meet the new requirements of the space industry. Syrlinks’ telemetry, tracking and control modules enable remote sensing and monitoring of the Airbus OneWeb LEO satellites for internet connectivity service.

Close collaboration and flexibility across both companies’ functional teams were key to the project. Syrlinks integrated the Qorvo RF front-end components into the space-qualified module and provided product definition and performance requirements for the Qorvo products. Qorvo provided product application, manufacturing and test support.

The MMIC power amplifier selected is fabricated on Qorvo’s highly reliable and efficient QGaN15 0.15µm gallium nitride (GaN) process technology, which supports high-frequency applications through 40GHz. The low-noise amplifier (LNA) is fabricated on Qorvo’s QPHT09 90nm gallium arsenide (GaAs) pseudomorphic high-electron-mobility transistor (pHEMT) process, which has what is claimed to be a best-in-class noise figure. Qorvo has nearly 100 commercial products (die and package options) built on these processes.

“Syrlinks has been investing for three years in the NewSpace approach associated with the latest generation of components,” says the firm’s CEO Guy Richard. “These efforts required stronger links with manufacturers of high-performance and innovative components, such as Qorvo,” he adds.

“Qorvo’s commercially packaged products are proving their operational readiness to meet the harsh environment of space,” says Roger Hall, general manager, Qorvo High Performance Solutions. “By combining powerful process technology with advances in packaging, Qorvo is enabling high-power devices that also achieve high reliability and are operationally rugged.”

Qorvo is exhibiting in booth 806 at the IEEE’s International Microwave Symposium (IMS 2019) in Boston, MA, USA (4–6 June). Syrlinks’ team is present in booth #687.

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