Filtronic, a renowned telecoms tech firm, has landed a significant contract worth £3.2m. Tasked by the European Space Agency, the company will be designing cutting-edge space Communication systems. The bases of the firm in County Durham and Leeds will work on crafting an advanced system that enables the transfer of broadband between Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and respective ground stations.
This exciting venture is a subset of the Advanced Research and Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) initiative, aiming to secure the deployment of 5G/6G technology and sustainable connectivity in space. Filtronic will start its work on the project right away, with its skilled engineers developing and designing prototypes and concepts of products operating on millimeter wave (mmWave) technology. This technology operates on a high-frequency process. The deadline for delivering the finished hardware to the European Space Agency is set for the end of March 2025.
The ARTES initiative is a longstanding strategy aiming to evolve satellite communications products using Filtronic’s intellectual property in tandem with newly developed advanced solid-state power amplifiers. Filtronic pointed out that the ARTES initiative is backed by the UK Space Agency, syncing effectively with the UK Government’s ambitions to facilitate UK suppliers’ significant contribution in future global telecoms infrastructure.
Amid the increasing demand for ultra-high bandwidth data links, necessary for low Earth orbit communications, satellite operators are seeking out new technologies. These communications are paramount across a myriad of applications, from-earth observations to logistics and geo-location tasks. Filtronic is striving to meet the needs of clients that require modified existing telecoms technology, which can be produced at scale.
The CEO of Filtronic, Richard Gibbs, has communicated the company’s enthusiasm about collaborating with the European Space Agency on this vital growth at the forefront of LEO space communications. He noted the rapid advancement in the LEO space market and the inevitable requirement for higher bandwidth links between satellites and ground stations. A strategic priority for Filtronic, this collaboration allows the development of products that operate on multiple frequencies and that can be supplied as part of next-generation LEO constellations.
Filtronic also communicated to the market last month anticipating a slump in full-year revenues and profits due to several supply chain problems, although these issues have begun to subside. The escalation in geopolitical tensions and the war in Ukraine have shifted attention towards the aerospace and defence market, where Filtronic has reportedly fostered substantial progress.
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