D
Founded in 2014, PICOSATS, spin-off of the University of Trieste, is one of the most innovative space startups in Italy. PICOSATS operates in the space tele-communication field.
VISION. PICOSATS is the first company providing a full set of miniaturized telecommunication systems with superior performance, transceivers and antennas, and innovative, proprietary technologies.
MISSION. PICOSATS technology will enable broadband satellite infrastructure to connect the unconnected and contribute to a sustainable and ethic Earth and Space.
PRODUCTS.
Ka-band and Ku-band miniaturized transceivers and antennas. R&D started in 2017, funded by ESA.
TRL6 in Nov. 2020, TRL8 in Dec. 2022, In Orbit Demonstration in Nov. 2023 (tests ongoing).
RADIOSAT transponders & transceivers.
○ Size: 1U (10 x 10 x 10 cm volume), mass: 1 kg
○ Ka band TX 17.8–20.2 GHz, RX 27.6–30 GHz
○ Ku band TX 10.7–11.2 GHz, RX 11.2–12.75
○ Fully analog (bent pipe) non regenerative transponder
○ Channel bandwidth (instantaneous): 700 kHz – tunable according to data-rate requirements
○ output RF power: 37 dBm (5W)
○ maximum DC power consumption: 45W
○ Programmable via RS422/RS232
BEAMSAT antennas.
Horn Antenna
○ Size: 2U (10 x 10 x 20 cm), funded by ESA
○ Ka band TX 17.8–20.2 GHz, RX 27.6–30 GHz
○ Ku band TX 10.7–12.75 GHz, RX 12.75–14.8 GHz
V-band ADE (reflector) antenna
○ Size: 0.5 U (10 x 10 x 5 cm), developed internally
○ 59.3-71 GHz
○ RHCP & LHCP for simultaneous RX/TX
UNDER DEVELOPMENT
○ 5G transponder
○ DVB-S2 Modem
○ K/Ka-band, Q and Q/V-band ADE antenna
○ K-band patch antenna
○ Ka band beam-steering antenna
PRESENT AND FUTURE APPLICATIONS
- Low Earth Orbit space missions
- Fixed-Satellite Service telecommunications
- 5G, Inter-Satellite-Links
- Satcom on the move
- Drones
