company blog about Qorvo AWMF-0198 Highly Integrated Silicon Quad Core Beamformer For Satellite Communications

Shenzhen Mingjiada Electronics Co., Ltd. supplies and recycles the Qorvo AWMF-0198, a highly integrated silicon quad-core beamformer for satellite communications applications.

The Qorvo AWMF-0198 is a second-generation, silicon-based, quad-core 4×2 dual-polarisation transmit beamforming chip designed specifically for satellite communications, operating in the 27.5–31.0 GHz Ka-band uplink frequency range. Designed specifically for flat-panel active electronically scanned array (AESA) antennas, it significantly simplifies the RF front-end design of in-motion satellite terminals, facilitating the large-scale deployment of lightweight, low-cost flat-array satellite communication terminals.

I. Core Architecture and Hardware Advantages of the AWMF-0198

The AWMF-0198 utilises a highly integrated silicon process to create a quad-channel architecture. A single chip can drive four sets of dual-polarisation radiating elements and integrates all beam control functions, including phase adjustment, gain control, temperature monitoring and dynamic gain compensation. By consolidating the multiple discrete RF chips typically found in traditional solutions into a single wafer-level device, it effectively reduces the footprint of the antenna substrate.

Minimal power supply requirements: A single +1.2V DC power supply reduces the array’s overall power consumption and meets the stringent power supply requirements of portable, vehicle-mounted, airborne and shipborne satellite terminals;

Package Type: WLCSP (Wafer-Level Chip-Scale Package), featuring a compact design that allows direct embedding within the radiation element grid, making it suitable for ultra-thin flat-panel antenna structures;

Reliability Design: All pins feature built-in ESD protection, meeting the electromagnetic environment standards for outdoor mobile terminals and aerospace ground stations.

II. Key RF and Digital Control Performance of the AWMF-0198

High-precision beam control capability

Equipped with 6-bit phase control and 5-bit gain control, it enables fine-tuned beam pointing adjustment and supports high-speed beam switching. This meets the requirements for continuous tracking and automatic alignment during rapid LEO satellite overflights, ensuring uninterrupted links in ‘communication-on-the-move’ scenarios.

Flexible Adaptation to All Polarisation Modes

Supports multiple operating modes including right-hand circular polarisation (RHCP), left-hand circular polarisation (LHCP) and linear polarisation. Compatible with the polarisation specifications of mainstream Ka-band satellite constellations, a single hardware platform can adapt to satellite systems from multiple operators.

On-chip Intelligent Temperature Management

A built-in temperature sensor reports chip temperature in real time, whilst an integrated temperature-adaptive gain compensation circuit automatically offsets gain drift caused by high and low temperature environments. This significantly reduces the frequency of full-unit array calibration, simplifies the mass production calibration process for terminals, and enhances beam stability across a wide temperature range.

III. Typical Application Scenarios for the AWMF-0198

As a core component for Ka-band uplink beamforming, the AWMF-0198 is widely used in various active flat-panel satellite communication systems:

LEO/MEO/GEO satellite in-motion flat-panel user terminals (vehicle-mounted, airborne, ship-mounted and portable satellite stations);

Phased-array antennas for broadband satellite internet ground gateways;

Active electronically scanned arrays (AESAs) for commercial space and defence communications;

Next-generation lightweight, low-profile satellite communication RF front-ends.

When paired with the AWMF-0197 receive beamformer from the same series (17.7–21.2 GHz Ka-band downlink reception), it forms a complete Ka-band transmit-receive phased array solution, enabling bidirectional satellite communications.

IV. Summary of the AWMF-0198

Against the backdrop of the accelerating adoption of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet, traditional parabolic antennas are bulky and incapable of dynamically tracking LEO satellites. The planar phased array solution based on the AWMF-0198 offers significant competitive advantages:

A highly integrated quad-core architecture reduces the number of components in the bill of materials (BOM) and shortens the R&D cycle;

WLCSP packaging enables an ultra-thin flat-panel antenna design, resulting in smaller and lighter terminals;

Built-in temperature compensation and monitoring simplify system calibration and enhance the long-term operational stability of terminals;

A standardised silicon-based beamforming platform facilitates flexible scaling of the array, supporting the development of arrays across different power levels, from portable terminals to large gateways;

Native support for continuous beam tracking during satellite ‘on-the-move’ operations, meeting the demands of the global broadband satellite interconnection era.

Leveraging mature silicon-based RF integration technology, the AWMF-0198 has become the mainstream core chip for Ka-band planar phased array uplink systems in the commercial NewSpace sector, facilitating a comprehensive transition of satellite communication terminals from traditional dish antennas to intelligent planar active arrays.