[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] AP Satellite (CEO Ryu Jangsoo) announced on the 22nd that it has developed the first domestic first-generation system-on-chip (SoC) including the GMR-1 2G/3G satellite communication modem function and peripheral functions of the 5G satellite communication modem.
AP Satellite and the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute of Korea are preparing to produce an integrated SoC that includes all functions of the GMR-1 2G/3G and 5G satellite communication modems through a project supported by the Broadcasting and Communications Industry Technology Development Project of the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP) since 2018. They plan to complete the development of a commercial chip that supports 2G, 3G, and 5G services of mobile satellite communication with a single chip by the second half of this year.
The 5G satellite mobile communication modem chip developed by AP Satellite supports the leading candidate standard of next-generation communication IMT-2020. Utilizing this chip can provide a technological advantage in the next-generation communication service construction market.
In particular, even in areas where terrestrial communication is impossible such as air, sea, and mountains, services using satellite networks or other networks are possible, allowing users or Internet of Things (IoT) terminals to receive uninterrupted communication services.
Globally, the LPWA (Low-Power Low-Range)-based narrowband IoT market, where 5G satellite mobile communication modem chips can be utilized, is predicted to generate $25 billion in revenue in 2021 and $75 billion in 2025. It is also forecasted that satellite-based M2M revenue will exceed $2 billion worldwide in 2022 (Source: Euroconsult).
An AP Satellite official stated, “Through continuous research and development, we will steadily develop not only artificial satellite development and manufacturing but also core technologies of satellite communication terminals to establish ourselves as a space technology innovation company leading the global market.”
Meanwhile, AP Satellite signed a delivery contract on the 21st for the standard onboard computer flight models for the 4th and 5th next-generation medium satellites with Korea Aerospace Industries, and through Thuraya Telecommunications Company, a satellite communication service provider in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it is also showcasing a variety of product lines in the satellite communication terminal market, including smart satellite phones.
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