AST SpaceMobile teams with Cadence to drive space-based cellular broadband

AST SpaceMobile teams with Cadence to drive space-based cellular broadband
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 04, 2024

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDNS) and AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASTS) have partnered to advance AST SpaceMobile's mission to deliver space-based high-speed internet connectivity worldwide, closing coverage gaps and enabling broadband access to underserved areas.

The collaboration centers on the AST5000 ASIC, a custom low-power chip integral to AST SpaceMobile's next-generation BlueBird satellites. This advanced architecture is designed to deliver up to ten times the processing bandwidth per satellite, paving the way for seamless space-based cellular broadband accessible through standard smartphones.

The AST5000 ASIC utilizes Cadence's cutting-edge tools, workflows, and intellectual property (IP). This includes high-speed SerDes technology and other essential IP components, enabling efficient power and performance configurations tailored to industrial temperature requirements. Cadence's expertise in optimizing power, performance, and area (PPA) also enhances the AST5000 ASIC's overall efficiency and functionality.

Cadence's Palladium Emulation Platform played a crucial role in the design process by enabling pre-silicon IP integration validation. This ensured that potential issues were addressed during development, safeguarding the integrity and performance of the final product.

"Cadence's collaboration is instrumental in achieving our mission of delivering space-based cellular broadband connectivity," said Huiwen Yao, chief technology officer at AST SpaceMobile. "Their industry-leading design solutions are fueling our innovation as we succeed at the complex engineering challenges of building a reliable and accessible space-based cellular broadband network."

Boyd Phelps, senior vice president and general manager of the Silicon Solutions Group at Cadence, added, "We're excited to collaborate with AST SpaceMobile on this major project and contribute to technology that is redefining satellite and mobile capabilities. Our comprehensive suite of AI-driven EDA tools and IP solutions was central to the development of the AST5000 ASIC, enabling both custom and digital design and verification."

The AST5000 ASIC forms the foundation of AST SpaceMobile's ambition to deploy 2,400-square-foot BlueBird satellites capable of processing up to 10,000 MHz of bandwidth each. With this design, the system will support data transmission speeds of up to 120 Mbps, enabling voice calls, full data use, and video applications over the first space-based cellular broadband network accessible by everyday mobile devices.