Designer and manufacturer of products and sub-systems for the aerospace, defence, telecoms infrastructure, space, and critical communications markets, Filtronic, has announced a new contract win with a leading global provider of low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications equipment.

In recent years there has been considerable work undertaken to develop airborne communications networks that overcome the limitations of terrestrial networks. Challenges exist in designing these systems, one of which is the development of communications transport links that deliver sufficient bandwidth and range to provide comprehensive connectivity.

The contract, valued in excess of £2 million, requires the customisation and delivery of the company’s solid state power amplifier (SSPA), Cerus. Originally developed for early-stage High Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS) applications, the Cerus power module is based on Filtronic’s proprietary MMIC chip design and is provided in a small form factor module as a scalable SSPA. The Cerus module is available in 4, 8, 16 and 32-way configurations, offering power ranging from 4W to >10W at E-band frequencies.

The modules, and the related control boards will be installed in selected ground stations for commercial trials of the E-band earth station antenna links to and from the LEO satellite. This is the first time that high bandwidth E-band frequencies have been used in an operational LEO application.

“We are delighted to engage with a highly respected new customer at the leading edge of LEO space communications,” commented Richard Gibbs, CEO at Filtronic. “As the number of subscribers to LEO telecommunication services grow, maintaining network speed will become an increasingly important consideration for the service operator.

“E-band represents a viable licenced frequency band for the critical communication links to and from the orbiting satellite. Whilst terrestrial telecom companies have successfully used Filtronic E-band technology in their backhaul links for many years, this new contract award vindicates our decision to adapt Filtronic’s proprietary mmWave products for the emerging commercial LEO satellite market”.

Filtronic has been a major mmWave technology provider to the non-terrestrial and near-space HAPS and LEO industries for several years. To find out more about Filtronic’s RF-to-mmWave solutions, visit the company’s website, or contact the team on +44 1740 618 800. 

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RF and mmWave specialist, Filtronic has further enhanced its hybrid and semiconductor packaging capabilities by investing in a fully automated wedge bonder suitable for power semiconductors, automotive power modules, and industrial power hybrids. The state-of-the-art auto-wedge bonder improves capacity and adds volume process capabilities that will enable the company to explore new markets. This addition to Filtronic’s production line will allow the company to offer greater than 1um die bonding accuracy , improving production yields and delivering highly repeatable packaging solutions.

Bonding custom compound semiconductor die for high reliability and system critical applications requires precision and high levels of accuracy. Historically Filtronic has used automated die attach and ball bonding but relied on highly trained operators to perform specialist wedge bonding operations. This approach has delivered high quality products but constrained factory throughput and limited the applications served. The automated wedge bonder investment fully automates the front-end assembly at the Filtronic hybrid manufacturing facility in Sedgefield County Durham and delivers significantly faster bonding speed using a variety of wire diameter  from 0.5 mil – 3 mi It  will be highly complementary to the specialist manual processes required for legacy applications.

“The automated wedge bonder further improves Filtronic’s agility, allowing us to introduce new products quicker than ever before, without compromising on quality,” explained Marc Adamson, Continuous Improvement Manager at Filtronic. “Our team of experts have trained to become specialists in the artisan skill of manual wire bonding, in some cases over several years. The introduction of the automated wedge bonder frees them up to work on alternative use cases, improving Filtronic’s agility across the entire business.

“Filtronic is committed to investing in resources which allow us to consistently deliver volume production with pinpoint accuracy at high tolerances,” continued Adamson. “The introduction of this new piece of equipment is the next step in our long-term plan to continuously improve our service offering for customers.”

If you have an application that requires a high level of accuracy, high volume of product and a quick turnaround, get in touch with Filtronic to see how, with its automated wedge bonder, the team could help. 

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Filtronic have today announced that it has recently employed several additional engineers to extend the capabilities of both its design team and its process engineering team. At the same time Filtronic has announced the opening of a new design centre in Manchester, UK, focused on developing mmWave technology for satellite communications applications.

Following on from the appointment in October last year of Tudor Williams as Director of Technology, Filtronic has further strengthened its technical team with the addition of new principal RF and filter design engineers. The engineering team has been further expanded with the appointment of additional personnel, including MMIC, PCB and product engineers and two graduate engineers. Three process engineers have also been recruited, one of whom is a system-in-package (SiP) specialist.

“We are very pleased to welcome all these talented engineers to the Filtronic team,” said Richard Gibbs, CEO of Filtronic. “Over the past quarter Filtronic has received three significant new contracts, totalling over £1.2 million, and expanding our design engineering workforce will be key to maintaining and growing our leadership in RF and microwave technology.”

“Establishing the new centre for satellite communication design has enabled us to expand our physical footprint across three UK locations – Sedgefield, Leeds, and now Manchester – and has assisted us in being able to attract some of the best engineering talent in the industry,” said Tudor Williams, Director of Technology at Filtronic. “The Manchester design centre will further help us to pursue our strategy of targeting satellite communications as a key vertical market for Filtronic’s mmWave systems expertise.”

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Filtronic have launched the Morpheus X2, the latest generation of its market-leading E-band transceiver for carrier-grade applications in 5G backhaul, midhaul and fronthaul – collectively known as XHaul.

Morpheus X2 is the latest design based on Filtronic’s proven E-band (71 – 76GHz and 81 – 86 GHz) transceiver platform, of which over 75,000 units have already been shipped and deployed in radio links worldwide. Integrating all the RF transmit and receive functions required for an E-band radio link, the transceiver module offers a linear transmit power output of +23dBm; 3dB higher than the standard Morpheus II product – while occupying the same compact footprint of 90 x 80mm. Receiver noise figure is typically 7-8dB , and an enhanced option with 4.5-5.5dB noise figure is also available for specialised applications.

This higher power level enables longer link lengths when the modules are used in all types of mmWave XHaul applications. The compact form factor of the modules and their reconfigurable architecture also provide an ideal platform from which to develop ultra high capacity payloads and ground systems for LEO satellite constellations and High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS).

“Morpheus X2 transceiver modules are manufactured in Filtronic’s precision microelectronics assembly facility in Sedgefield in the UK,” said Dan Rhodes, Director of Business Development ‒ mmWave Technology at Filtronic. “Our extensive in-house design experience, combined with our precise control over the manufacturing process, has enabled us to optimally match the transceiver interfaces with the internally integrated diplexer. This has allowed us to optimise RF when compared to packaged device architectures, and to achieve exceptionally high manufacturing yields against this leading, enhanced specification.”

Dell’Oro Group has forecast that E-band mmWave radio links will experience the fastest growth of all the frequency bands over the five-year period to 2026, with the combined E-band and V-Band market predicted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25%. This growth is being driven by the global demand for XHaul for 5G networks, for which radio links in the mmWave bands can provide both high capacity and high data rate.

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SEDGEFIELD, UK — 15 June 2022 — Filtronic plc (AIM: FTC), the designer and manufacturer of RF-to-mmWave components and subsystems, today announced the launch of the Hades range of active diplexers, designed to enable original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to manufacture cost-effective E-band radios with significantly increased RF performance, for use in military or commercial telecommunications applications, including airborne and High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS).

The active E-band mmWave diplexers operate over the 71 – 76GHz and 81 – 86GHz bands, and offer a range of configurable options integrating high power amplifiers (PAs) and low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), thus reducing size and weight compared with discrete components. Their low overall SWAP (size, weight, and power) makes them ideal for airborne and HAPS applications.

Active diplexers can be used in conjunction with a wide range of commercially available off the shelf (COTS) surface mount-compatible packaged upconverters and downconverters. This provides enhanced performance compared with using surface mount products, and allows versatility in the deployment of configurable E-band links with different power levels.

The integral PAs have saturated transmitter (Tx) power output levels up to more than +30dBm, and incorporate a Tx RF power detector to facilitate power calibration and automatic level control (ALC). The LNAs have a receiver (Rx) noise figure of less than 4dB. With a typical output IP3 at +20dBm of +31dBm, the high linearity of the units are capable of supporting modulation formats up to 1024QAM to facilitate very high data rates.

Where specified, the modules can be supplied with full calibration of transmitter power/frequency and receiver gain characteristics, stored on an integrated I²C EEPROM. An integrated temperature sensor also provides users with accurate amplifier temperature data.

A wide range of configuration options are available for the Hades diplexers, which can be specified to integrate either GaAs or InP amplifiers as required, in either or both of the Tx and Rx chains. There is also the option to combine two GaAs PAs to give a higher linear Tx power for long range terrestrial and non-terrestrial E-band communications links. Furthermore, the WR12 port locations and directions can be customised upon request.

“The Hades range of active mmWave diplexers feature multiple configuration options to optimise them for a range of demanding commercial and military communications applications,” said Dan Rhodes, Director of Business Development ‒ mmWave Technology at Filtronic. “The high power, linearity and low SWAP mean that they deliver unparalleled performance in E-band links for HAPS systems as well as in many terrestrial use cases.”

Filtronic will be exhibiting at booth 2068 at the Colorado Convention Center, from the 21 – 23 June 2022.

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Sedgefield, UK — 7 Apr 2022 — Filtronic plc (AIM: FTC), the designer and manufacturer of RF-to-mmWave components and subsystems, today announced the availability of the extended Cerus range of high-power E-band amplifiers designed for long-range commercial or military telecommunications applications, including LEO and High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS).

The high power Cerus range is now available in 1-, 4- and 8-way amplifier versions. All the amplifiers integrate Filtronic GaAs HEMT PA MMICs, which are matched in performance and power-combined in waveguide to maximise power output. The 4- and 8-way models feature an integral temperature sensor with an analogue output for accurate monitoring of thermal characteristics, along with the option of control circuitry for functions including gain control, mute control and alarms.

The Cerus amplifiers operate in the band 71 – 76GHz and 81 – 86GHz and offers excellent saturated power output levels up to +36dBm or higher, and 1dB gain compression point at +31dBm. The transmit power control range is 10dB, and small signal gain is typically 24dB.

With a typical output third order intermodulation product (OIP3) of +39.5dBm at +29dBm output power, the high linearity of the amplifiers enables them to support 256QAM modulation for high-capacity transmission.

Measuring just 40 x 40 x 47mm and weighing only 160g, their low SWAP (size, weight and power) makes them ideal for airborne and HAPS applications.

Input and output connection is via WR12 waveguide, and DC connection is via a multi-pin connector.

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SEDGEFIELD, UK — 3 November 2021 — Filtronic plc (AIM: FTC), the designer and manufacturer of RF-to-mmWave components and subsystems, today announced that further to Reg Gott’s retirement at the AGM on 28 October 2021, it has appointed Jonathan Neale as Non-Executive Chairman, effective 15 November 2021. 

Jonathan Neale has been Chief Operating Officer of McLaren Group for the past five years, prior to which he held a number of executive roles including Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Racing F1, between 2001 and 2016. He has occupied principal roles, leading strategic operational and infrastructure planning for the business and has been pivotal in the integration of the McLaren Racing, McLaren Applied and McLaren Automotive businesses. 

Jonathan graduated from the University of Nottingham with an honours degree in physics. He began his career as a research physicist in high-frequency semiconductor design and application. He became a chartered electrical and electronic engineer at Philips Defence Systems and went on to lead the advanced development group within the electronic warfare division.

Prior to McLaren, Jonathan had been at BAE Systems, UK, as Managing Director – Hawk Military Aircraft. Having started by working as a Project Design Engineer where he led major systems projects for commercial aircraft, he was then promoted to Director of Operations and Support Operations at BAE’s Manchester and Prestwick sites and was responsible for aircraft production, customer support and pilot training. Thereafter he returned to defence systems and aircraft, taking charge of the Hawk Fast Jet Programme as Managing Director in 1999. 

“”I am delighted to welcome Jonathan to Filtronic, with his extensive aerospace experience and leadership across fast moving technology businesses”, said Richard Gibbs, CEO of Filtronic.  “I look forward to working with him as we seek to execute engineering programs and scale the organisation.”

“I have been impressed with the capabilities of the Filtronic organisation,” said Jonathan Neale. “I look forward to working with the Board to expand and grow the Filtronic capability from its very solid engineering base into new markets and partnerships, and to reach new customers.”

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SEDGEFIELD, UK — 4 October 2021 — Filtronic plc (AIM: FTC), the designer and manufacturer of RF, microwave, and mmWave products for the wireless telecoms and mission-critical communications markets, today hosted a ceremony at which Mrs Sue Snowdon, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, presented Filtronic with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade 2021.

The citation for Filtronic’s award, which was first announced in April this year, centred on the outstanding growth it had achieved in export sales over a three-year period for its microwave and mmWave solutions.

“The past 12 months in particular have been exceptional for Filtronic,” said Richard Gibbs, CEO of Filtronic. “In addition to receiving this prestigious Queen’s Award, we were honoured earlier in the year to win two of Electronics Weekly’s Elektra Awards, one for Manufacturer of the Year and one for Company of the Year.”

“Demand continues to grow for our E-band mmWave transceivers, which are used to provide 5G mobile network operators with high-capacity radio links for backhaul, midhaul and fronthaul (also known as XHaul),” said Walter Magiera, Chief Commercial Officer of Filtronic. “To date we have shipped over 63,000 transceiver units, with 99.9% destined for export outside the UK.”

Filtronic products are applied globally in aerospace & defence, telecommunication infrastructure and test & measurement applications. In addition they have applications in some of the emerging world-wide communications ecosystems such as High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations. Filtronic pushes the boundaries of what is possible with RF, boasting a client portfolio of global technology leaders within their fields.

“We are continuing to invest in R & D and manufacturing across all our facilities, having recently strengthened our capabilities in Sedgefield, our RF centre of excellence in Leeds and our critical communications hub in Salisbury, Maryland,” said Richard Gibbs. “This has enabled us to grow output and to maintain a strong order book.”

The Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Sue Snowdon, commented: “To have a company here in County Durham developing market-leading RF technologies, and with world-class manufacturing facilities, is fantastic for the local economy. It was a pleasure to see Filtronic listed as a recipient of the Queens Award for International Trade, and it is a well-deserved accolade for a superb company.”

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NETPark, Sedgefield, UK — 23 July 2020 — Filtronic plc (AIM: FTC), the designer and manufacturer of RF, microwave, and mmWave products for the wireless telecoms, mission-critical communications and defence applications markets, today announced that it has now shipped a total of 50,000 high-performance E-band transceiver modules targeted at the growing 5G backhaul market.

E-band spectrum (in the mmWave frequency ranges 71 – 76GHz and 81 – 86GHz) offers OEMs wide bandwidth, enabling them to provide 5G mobile network operators with high-capacity and high data rate backhaul, midhaul and front-haul (collectively known as XHaul). E-band has been identified as one of the critical wireless technologies required to address the demanding XHaul capacity requirements of 5G networks, and is now experiencing significant growth. Systems containing Filtronic’s core E-band technology have been successfully demonstrated at data rates up to 40Gbps.

“There has been a record demand this year for our flagship E-band transceiver module, Orpheus, which has been delivered in volume to a number of customers for integration into high-capacity mobile backhaul radio solutions,” said Reg Gott, Executive Chairman of Filtronic. “Earlier this year we added the new-generation Morpheus II to our product range, and demand for this module is beginning to take off as well, in particular for the high power option that is desirable for implementing carrier aggregation.”

Both Morpheus II and Orpheus have a highly-integrated architecture with an embedded diplexer and are 100% tested prior to despatch. They contain all the necessary RF transmit and receive functions for an E-band radio link, enabling the module to simply drop in between the antenna and baseband modem, and include a control board that calibrates the whole RF system. Morpheus II also incorporates a new generation of highly linear, high-power amplifier MMICs that have been developed in house by Filtronic. Both products have been qualified for deployment in the latest radio platforms specifically developed for 5G XHaul applications, and Filtronic transceiver modules have been widely deployed and field-proven in wide-bandwidth, high-capacity applications up to 10Gbps per channel.

Filtronic’s leading-edge E-band solutions feature a readily-configurable architecture, and provide an ideal platform to develop systems for other applications globally. These include long-range defence, enterprise, and both high-throughput Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS).

Editorial contact details:
Walter Magiera, Chief Commercial Officer, Filtronic plc
Email: marketing@filtronic.com
Web: www.filtronic.com
PR contact:

Helen Duncan, MWE Media Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)7765 250610 Email: helen.duncan@mwemedia.com

About Filtronic:
Filtronic plc is a designer and manufacturer of advanced RF communications products, supplying leading Original Equipment Manufacturers and Mobile Network Operators in the mobile telecommunications infrastructure and mission-critical communications markets.

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LEEDS, UK — 13 February 2020 — Filtronic plc (AIM: FTC), the designer and manufacturer of RF, microwave, and mmWave products for the wireless telecoms, mission-critical communications and defence applications markets, today announced the launch of Morpheus II, its new generation of mmWave transceiver modules for E-band (71 – 76GHz and 81 – 86 GHz) applications in carrier grade mobile backhaul.

Morpheus II is based on Filtronic’s proven E-band transceiver platform, of which over 36,000 units have already been shipped and deployed worldwide. Each fully-integrated Morpheus II transceiver module contains all the transmit and receive functions necessary for the RF section of an E-band radio link, and provides a simple connection to a high data rate full-duplex modem. They are designed for easy incorporation into outdoor units, giving original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) the advantage of a rapid time-to-market while requiring minimal engineering resource.

Demand for E-band mmWave radio links is growing rapidly, as they can provide high capacity and high data rate XHaul for the latest 5G networks that are being rolled out globally. In 2018 E-band accounted for around 7% of wireless links, and is forecast to continue with year-on-year growth rates of around 36%, according to Dell’Oro Group.

Standard modules have a linear transmitter power control range of -4dBm to +16dBm, with an output third order intermodulation product (IP3) of typically up to +34dBm at the top end of the range. An enhanced power option, extending the control range up to +25dBm, is also available. With a low phase noise of ‑112dBc/Hz at 1MHz, the transceiver modules support a channel bandwidth in excess of 2GHz. They have demonstrated system performance at data rates of 10Gb/s with spectrally efficient 256QAM, and are capable of supporting even higher order modulation schemes. The internal low phase noise VCOs can be adjusted via an SPI interface in 31.25MHz steps, to support ECC/ITU channel arrangements.

A single transmit/receive interface is provided by the integrated diplexer, which connects directly to an external antenna via a standard WR12 interface. The interface between the Morpheus II E-band module and the customer modem is via a single 50-way connector that supplies all communication between the module and the modem, as well as DC power, baseband data and control signals.

With a footprint of 90 x 80mm and weighing only 110g, the Morpheus II transceiver modules are 20% smaller and 50% lighter than the current Orpheus models, with which they retain interface compatibility.

“Morpheus II transceiver modules are 100% calibrated and tested, and are based on a platform that has extensive field-proven performance,” said Dan Rhodes, Director of Business Development ‒ mmWave Technology at Filtronic. “Their compact form factor makes them suitable for use in all types of mmWave XHaul applications, and their readily reconfigurable architecture also provides the ideal basis from which to develop systems for application in high throughput satellites and High Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS).”

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