GXSC Beamformer Replaces ADAR1000 in Low-Earth Orbit Satellites

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites have become critical infrastructure for global satellite internet and communications due to their low latency, high signal strength, and wide coverage. Compared to geostationary satellites, LEO satellites offer advantages such as low latency, low signal loss, wide coverage, and high communication frequency. They place high demands on ground and airborne terminals for rapid beam scanning, dynamic satellite tracking, high-gain stable transmission, miniaturization, low power consumption, and interference-resistant communication capabilities.

GXSC’s four-channel integrated beamforming chip covers the mainstream satellite communication frequency bands from 8 GHz to 16 GHz, including C-band, X-band, and Ku-band. Its wide frequency coverage enables it to support multi-band satellite communications. The chip integrates four receive channels, four transmit channels, and the corresponding power combining/power distribution networks. As a highly integrated silicon-based beamforming chip, its performance is fully compatible with the ADAR1000 for use in the satellite communications field.

The GXSC beamformer integrates control for five power channel modulation functions (supporting PA gate modulation PA_VG, drain modulation PA_VD, LNA drain voltage modulation LNA_VD, switch control SW, attenuator ATT, and delay PHS), facilitating the control and driving of配套compound semiconductor chips. It features an integrated temperature sensor with temperature compensation, ensuring minimal performance variation across high and low temperatures. The chip also incorporates a quantized ADC and power detection functionality for monitoring external RF signals, as well as beam storage for seamless beam switching. With a complete set of beam control logic, it supports various amplitude and phase switching, channel control, and auxiliary function control.

GXSC Beamformer Performance Specifications

5–18 GHz operating range

Receive/transmit half-duplex

4T4R RF channels with integrated frequency demodulation/synthesis networks

360° phase control range / 7-bit / LSB = 2.8°

31.5 dB amplitude control range / 6-bit / LSB = 0.5 dB

Integrated bias and channel control

Integrated temperature sensor

Integrated 8-bit quantized ADC

Integrated beam storage: 121 preset beam states

Integrated power detection: -20–10 dBm detection range

Single-pin control for rapid transmit/receive state switching

Standard 4-wire SPI control logic

Receive mode supports standard bias mode and high IP-1dB mode

Excellent receive/transmit gain flatness, high output power, and high amplitude and phase control accuracy

CMOS process, low mass production cost

The GXSC beamformer uses 4-wire SPI logic for register configuration and control. It allows configuration of amplitude and phase for each channel and supports bias adjustment, channel enable/disable control, and transmit/receive switching. Additionally, the single chip features two address pins to enable serial control of up to four multifunction chips in an application.