XY antenna: Global Skyware releases multi-orbit SATCOM antenna

Global Skyware, a division of the Global Invacom Group, has introduced its latest innovation, the XY antenna, designed for rapid response and mission-critical applications in an August 19 press release. The new antenna is being highlighted for its modular design, flexibility, and straightforward assembly, offering seamless connectivity for both moving and stationary operations.

The XY antenna’s standout feature is its multi-orbit capability, allowing it to connect with satellites in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and High Earth Orbit (HEO). It is also designed to operate across both the high-frequency Ka- and Ku-bands and can be configured with either outdoor or indoor control systems to meet specific user needs.

The Ku-band uses frequencies between 12 and 18 GHz, which is often used for SATCOMs because it can use a single beam to cover an entire continent, enabling it to transmit television, for example. The Ka-band is the next evolution in satellite communications, and occupies frequencies from 26.5 – 40 GHZ. This wider bandwidth allows for significantly higher data transfer speeds and capacity. It’s often used for high-throughput satellite  internet and advanced communication systems. The shorter wavelengths of the Ka-band allow for even smaller and more compact ground equipment, including antennas and transceivers, reducing manufacturing and transportation costs. And it employs small “spot beams,” which means that the same frequency can be reused in different geographical areas, which increases the capacity of the satellite network. 

A key advancement is the integrated transceiver system used by the XY antenna, which eliminates the need to transport multiple separate feed elements and radio frequency (RF) units. This single package, which attaches to the back of the antenna reflector, contains the functionality of multiple Block Up Converters (BUCs), Low-Noise Block Down Converters (LNBs), and ports. This design significantly reduces the system’s size, weight, power, and cost (SWaPC).

According to Robert Potter, Chief Technology Officer at Global Invacom, “The XY antenna is our most innovative antenna to date: lighter, smaller and includes the use of a transceiver rather than discrete RF, which results in a significantly more compact system.” Mr. Potter added that the development process focused on ensuring the antenna’s performance for the user, emphasising its flexibility, ease of use, and reliability across various applications.

A BUC is the “transmit” part of the system. It takes a lower-frequency signal from the modem and converts it to a much higher frequency, which is necessary for transmission to the satellite. It also amplifies the signal to ensure it’s strong enough to travel the long distance to orbit. An LNB is the “receive” part. When the antenna receives a weak, high-frequency signal from the satellite, the LNB amplifies it (while adding very little noise) and converts it to a lower, intermediate frequency that the satellite receiver or modem can process. This is the device that “downloads” the signal from the satellite. The product also includes a Digital Intermediate Frequency Interoperability (DIFI) interface or hosted software-defined modems to support multi-network capability and the virtualisation of satellite communications ground infrastructure.

The XY antenna is hardened for extreme environments, allowing it to be offered to defence and government agencies. For transport, the XY antenna meets International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements, making it easy to handle and transport by aircraft. It is also exempted from restrictions under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and is compliant with the World Geodetic System (WGS).

Company profile: Global Invacom Group

Global Invacom Group is a global technology company specialising in satellite ground equipment for the satellite communications, satellite TV, and satellite navigation markets. The company provides fully integrated manufacturing for its products, which ensures quality and supply chain reliability for its customers. With an established global presence, the Group operates sales offices, research and development centers, and manufacturing facilities across Singapore, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Israel, the UK, and the USA. The company recently founded a joint venture, eNexus Space Data, which was set up to provide “Ground Station as a Service” (GSaaS) to meet the growing demand from commercial and defence space sectors. The joint venture represents a strategic move for Global Invacom to expand from being just a hardware supplier into the provision of satellite data services.

Calibre comment

Increased capacity and throughput from SATCOMs has always been important in defence, but with more and more forces seeking the ability to connect “any sensor with any shooter,” satellites are likely the only viable means of achieving that connectivity. This makes improved antennas that are multifunctional, systems like the XY antenna, an interesting solution for the defence market. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on August 19, 2025. Credit for the lead image is Global Skyware.