STMicroelectronics has shipped more than 5 billion radio frequency antenna chips over the past decade for the Starlink satellite network operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. According to a senior company executive who spoke to Reuters, deliveries could double that number in the next two years.
This statement highlights the importance of STMicro’s space-focused special-purpose chip business in the rapidly growing commercial space market. “The volume of user terminals delivered over the last 10 years could effectively double in the next two years,” said Remi El-Ouazzane, head of STMicro’s microcontrollers and digital integrated circuits unit.
He also added that he expects BiCMOS-based antenna chips to be adopted on a wider scale by low orbit satellite players.The transformation in the commercial space sector is accelerating with projects such as SpaceX, Eutelsat’s OneWeb, and Amazon’s planned LEO network.
This momentum is increasing the demand for chips that support high data rates and can withstand the harsh conditions of space.In numbers: STMicro has delivered more than 5 billion RF “front end modules” to SpaceX since the collaboration began in 2015.
Looking ahead, the company plans to supply inter-satellite laser links for SpaceX platforms; it is also working with European partners such as Thales and Eutelsat on various projects, including the EU’s Iris² satellite constellation.
