Danish drones perform satellite antenna testing

QuadSAT, the Danish startup that does the test and measurement of satellite antennas by the use of drones, has closed a €2 million Pre-Series A Investment funding round.

The round was led by Seraphim Capital, which is a venture fund dedicated to SpaceTech, Vaekstfonden, the Danish state’s investment fund, and Angel Investor, Helge Munk.

“We see a high level of interest for our technology, not only in antenna measurements but also in other test solutions aimed specifically at higher frequencies and at the future mass deployment of mega-constellations,” said Andrian Buchi, CTO and co-founder of QuadSAT. “This investment allows us to develop the product line to match the industry needs, and to build a strong team able to tackle future challenges”.

“Our solution is the only one that can provide the scalability of test and measurements required for a robust satcom infrastructure to minimize challenges such as dropped calls and internet buffering,” added Joakim Espeland, CEO and co-founder.

As more sectors start looking toward space, says the company, the number of satellites in orbit will increase significantly in the next few years.

The QuadSAT system uses a custom-built RF payload, drone technology, and mathematical algorithms to simulate satellites and carry out antenna performance tests. QuadSAT’s system has been developed to meet industry-wide standards.

The company elaborates:

With the amounts of communication satellites in use today, levels of radiofrequency (RF) interference are increasing year for year. If not managed properly the accelerating growth of the satcom industry will drown the radio spectrum in RF-interference, reducing bandwidth and causing connection breakouts. Poorly performing and inaccurate ground antennas are the main source of RF-interference. For antenna research and development, and for approval to bring new antennas to market, access to testing is essential.

For the antenna ground segment to keep up with the rapid development of satellites in orbit there is a great need for a cost-effective, flexible, and efficient testing solution. QuadSAT revolutionises antenna testing by combining state of the art drone- and RF-technology with custom-developed software making automated antenna test and measurement available anytime and anywhere.

The company was founded in March 2017 and it says it has recently completed contracts with the European Space Agency’s (ESA) programme for the development of advanced satcom products and services.

Images: Quadsat

See also: Viewpoint: Why collaboration on the ground is vital for LEO satellite constellations in the sky