Circuits Integrated Hellas (CIH), a developer of advanced semiconductor technologies for space and satellite communications, has announced the CI-ONE family of integrated power amplifier and SPDT modules designed for Ka-band satellite communication applications. The CI-ONE modules provide switching speeds of 5 ns for SATCOM architectures used in 5G/6G, radar and aerospace systems.
“Building on the commercial momentum and integration philosophy behind our Kythrion™ platform, CI-ONE represents the next step in RF front-end innovation,” said CIH co-founder and CEO Paolo Fioravanti. “This new product family significantly advances integration in Ka-band power amplification, one of the most cost-sensitive and performance-demanding segments in satellite communication.”
Conventional switched Ka-band transmit front ends rely on discrete power amplifiers and RF switches, which increase PCB area, system cost, thermal complexity and design effort. CI-ONE integrates a power amplifier and SPDT switch into a single surface-mount module. The modules are designed to reduce size and component count compared with discrete implementations.
The CI-ONE family is fabricated using a GaAs pHEMT process and operates from a 6 V supply. It supports output power variants of 30 dBm, 34 dBm and 36 dBm for 1 W, 2 W and 4 W system requirements. The modules provide switching speeds of 5 ns and approximately 22% efficiency at the 1 dB compression point (P1dB).
By integrating the amplifier and switch into a single module, the CI-ONE family reduces component count and simplifies routing for Ka-band transmit front-end designs. The modules allow system developers to scale power levels while maintaining PCB reuse across designs.
The CI-ONE family of integrated Ka-band switch power amplifiers is scheduled for availability in the fourth quarter of 2026. Early engagement and sampling programs are expected to begin before general release.
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