SWISSto12 passes critical design review of dual-band 5G antennas for UNIVITY satellites

SWISSto12, a leading enabler of the new space economy, today announced it has passed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the S- and Ka-band phased array antennas for UNIVITY’s 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) demonstration satellites. 

SWISSto12 is developing two active antennas for UNIVITY: an S-band direct radiating array (DRA) for direct-to-device services, connecting standard 5G phones straight to the satellite, and a Ka-band DRA operating at 26 GHz for broadband services and feeder links. Both are built for 5G NTN applications, allowing one single satellite to carry both broadband and direct-to-device 5G connectivity. These developments are part of UNIVITY’s uniShape program, institutionally supported by France 2030 and the French Space Agency (CNES). This dual capability supports UNIVITY’s ambition to build a shared, neutral space-based infrastructure that enables telecom operators to deliver broadband and direct-to-device connectivity under their own brands, seamlessly complementing their existing terrestrial networks.

As part of its HummingLink product line, SWISSto12 delivers complete high-performance antenna systems. The company uses 3D printing to produce passive radiating front ends and its DRAs include ultra-efficient radiating elements with integrated miniaturized, low-loss filters. SWISSto12 also designs and builds the beamforming PCBs using state-of-the-art circuits and provides the antenna’s digital controls. The work is completed at the company’s facility in Switzerland, using proprietary technology and designs, with a vertically integrated delivery model from specification to finished product.