A view of the MDA Space Aurora demo lab in Montreal. Photo: MDA Space

MDA Space has reported a digital beam-forming milestone with its technology for the Aurora satellite platform. The Canadian manufacturer reported July 9 using its Ka-band direct radiating array (DRA) to digitally form and steer multiple beams, calling it a key milestone in the development of the digital payload technology for Aurora. 

MDA Space explained that beam forming and steering with Ka-band DRAs has typically relied on intermediate frequency conversion, but MDA Space uses direct sampling calling it a “more efficient and effective approach, allowing customers to save on satellite costs, mass and power consumption.” 

This technology has implications for satellite communication systems that support broadband connectivity and 5G networks. The Aurora software-defined product line supports the Telesat Lightspeed Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation, and Globalstar’s next-generation LEO constellation. 

MDA Space has a demonstration lab at its manufacturing facility in Montréal where customers can observe the MDA Aurora technology, including the formation and steering of beams through thermal imaging. The lab features a DRA prototype that will ultimately be connected to an onboard processor (OBP) prototype to demonstrate the full communication chain between a gateway ground station and a user terminal. 

“With MDA Aurora, we’re providing a highly flexible and adaptable solution that can be tailored to meet each customer’s specific requirements,” said Luigi Pozzebon, vice-president of Satellite Systems at MDA Space. “The successful demonstration of our Ka-band DRA technology is a critical step towards delivering those advanced capabilities that will help customers compete in the rapidly evolving satellite communications market.”