As the demand for global connectedness increases, many satellite communications (satcom) systems are pushing toward higher data rates with an increased presence in the Ka-band spectrum. With high-performance signal chains now able to support multiple GHz of instantaneous bandwidth, and with potentially hundreds of transceivers in a system, the potential for very-high-throughput data rates is now a reality.
In addition, there is a trend in many systems to move away from static mechanically-steered parabolic antennas and move toward active phased-array antennas. This is driven by the enhanced technology and increased integration available to drive element spacing down to what is required at Ka-band frequencies. Phased-array technology also allows for improved interference mitigation by creating nulls in the antenna pattern in the direction of interfering signals.