NextComm antenna

Atlanta-based NXT Communications has completed the design of a low-cost, flat-panel satellite antenna for the commercial and defense aviation markets.

The design uses standard PCB manufacturing technology with commercial off-the-shelf components and a unique modular sub array topology scalable to any form factor.

“AeroMax fills a critical broadband need facing airlines and operators as they resume flights in a changed connectivity environment,” said Dave Horton, Co-founder and CEO of NXTCOMM “Unlike traditional mechanically steered antenna designs, our antennas are modular and easily mass producible.”

NXTCOMM’s low-profile design maximises the usable space under the radome, allowing for more panels, and ultimately greater performance.

Leveraging advancements in RF and semi-conductor packaging and manufacturing technology, the AeroMax antenna optimises a highly integrated silicon-based chipset and sub-array design, which serves as the building block for a portfolio of next-generation, lower-cost commercial satellite antennas. The core aperture that drives the NXTCOMM antenna is field and flight tested, having been deployed in defense aviation and ISR applications.

“Our design represents a real breakthrough opportunity to bring proven, low-cost, high-performance flat panel satellite antennas to the commercial aviation marketplace,” says Carl Novello, NXTCOMM’s Chief Technology Officer, who is overseeing all antenna product design, development, and engineering activities. “The AeroMax antenna features no moving parts, is electronically steerable, and delivers significantly enhanced performance in both Ku and Ka frequency bands,” he adds.

NXTCOMM plans to conduct over-the-air testing later this year, with AeroMax antenna low-rate initial production (LRIP) available in early 2021.

Leave a Reply