New Liquid Crystal Satellite Terminal Technology Debuts
The research-stage architecture aims to lower satellite broadband costs by replacing complex traditional hardware components.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Semiconductors
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Carillon Technologies presented its ReflecTek satellite terminal and Darpana optical phased array technologies at the 2026 IEEE International Phased Array Symposium. These research-stage architectures aim to reduce terminal complexity and cost by replacing traditional hardware with liquid crystal components.
Why it matters
By eliminating lossy distribution networks and expensive amplifiers, these architectures address the high costs currently hindering the expansion of satellite broadband. This development targets a $100 billion addressable market, potentially accelerating global access to high-speed satellite services.
ReflecTek uses a scalable reflect-array architecture that embeds liquid crystal into printed circuit boards, replacing standard MMICs, varactors, and passive components. This configuration eliminates element-level amplifiers and distribution networks, though performance benchmarks compared to traditional systems remain unstated.
The players
Carillon Technologies
A developer of satellite terminal hardware specializing in optical phased arrays and liquid crystal circuit board architectures.
The details
The ReflecTek architecture relies on liquid crystal embedded in printed circuit boards to perform beam steering, replacing monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) — specialized chips that process high-frequency signals. By removing these components alongside traditional varactors (voltage-dependent capacitors) and passive networks, the system reduces the physical complexity of electronically steerable antennas. The design is engineered to be extensible to high-frequency V-band and E-band operations.
Timeline
Carillon Technologies was founded in 2017.
The Darpana optical phased array technology was first demonstrated in March 2023.
OTenna technology was unveiled at the 2026 SPIE Photonics West conference.
ReflecTek and Darpana were presented at the IEEE International Phased Array Symposium on October 19, 2026.
The Tech Race
Carillon Technologies is competing to lower terminal costs against established manufacturers heavily reliant on traditional semiconductor MMICs. This approach follows the recent unveiling of their OTenna product as part of a broader push to replace complex hardware with scalable, integrated designs.
The technology currently exists at the research stage and has no immediate impact on commercial satellite hardware or consumer pricing. Widespread adoption will depend on future efforts to scale these liquid-crystal architectures for direct-to-device and broadband satellite markets.
The takeaway
The trajectory of this technology points toward a fundamental shift in how satellite terminals are manufactured to reach a $100 billion market. Observers should track subsequent benchmarks for V-band performance and future commercial partnerships that move this hardware beyond the symposium floor.
Further reading
Read more about advances in Semiconductors and their impact on high-frequency communication hardware.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Rfglobalnet.
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