Turbo Charging
Direct to Device
Satellite Services
MULTIFOLD INCREASE IN CAPACITY DENSITY
ClusterSat is pioneering a fractionated satellite system using MIMO to enable high capacity-density direct-to-device space connectivity.
Direct to Device
Application
Direct-to-device (D2D) satellite networks comprise the flagship of New Space, connecting standard smartphones directly to satellites and attracting billons of dollars of new investments.
D2D also benefits most other MSS applications, including Industrial and Defense.
Inherent Limitations of Present Technology
In legacy satellite systems, poor capacity density compromises terrestrial-satellite handover: user throughput in the satellite mode may be well below terrestrial 4G.
Capacity density (throughput/sq. km) is a prime KPI for D2D.
Legacy systems’ large beams (15 km for the SOA LEO system, compared to 2 km terrestrial cell diameter), degrade capacity density.
To maximize capacity density, legacy satellites try to minimize beam size, which makes the satellite, large, expensive, power-hungry, and incur higher launch risk.
By combining several patented technologies, such as Very Large Baseline (VLB) fractionated satellites and MIMO, we can create unprecedented capacity density for targeted users. The extreme capacity density is achieved by leveraging the very large aperture of a fractionated satellite and using MIMO for radio access, rather than traditional beamforming.
For example, two users separated by as little as 250m can fully reuse an allocated channel. The frequency reuse distance of the best legacy LEO network is in tens of kilometres.
The fractionated satellite architecture enables individual satellites to be much smaller than the present state-of-the-art monolithic satellite, minimizing development and launch costs.
Our Breakthrough
Solution
How it works
Throughput advantages of ClusterSat over legacy LEO
Core factors driving ClusterSat’s throughput advantages
In legacy LEO architecture, the net throughput in a regional beam is shared between all UEs, regardless of UE locations. This results in a per-user throughput dilution with the number of users in the beam to (1.3/0.3 Mbps) in the example.
For ClusterSat, thanks to MIMO/SDM, the throughputs can be peaked to their maximum values (13/3 Mbps), individually for each UE (provided the UEs are more than 250 m apart; otherwise, the throughput is shared by UEs inside a 250 m diameter hotspot). This makes a huge difference to the post-handover QoS.
When compared by aggregate throughput in a regional beam -- more appropriate for remote areas without cellular coverage -- SOA LEO shows a net throughput of (13/3 Mbps). In contrast, ClusterSat, with 9 satellites, can support up to 7 hotspots, resulting in an aggregate throughput of (91/21 Mbps) -- a 7x aggregate throughput advantage.
ClusterSat’s extreme spatial resolution of 250 m is achieved due to the huge (400 m) aperture of a fractionated satellite, aided by MIMO radio access.
Such spatial resolution is not possible today with any monolithic satellite (including future, planned satellites) at frequencies below 3 GHz.
Summary of throughput advantages
Handover experience following HO to satellite.
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ClusterSat will deliver 4G QoS in most cases.
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Monolithic SOA LEO satellite system will struggle to deliver 4G QoS.
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Industry analysts’ prediction [Analyses Mason 2025 webinar]:
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Until satellite handoff feels like terrestrial roaming,Supplementary Coverage from Space (SCS) will not see mass market adoption.
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Aggregate throughput in regional beam
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7x advantage for ClusterSat
Performance Edge
Capacity density & aggregate capacity
Approaches 4G terrestrial cellular, resulting in superior handover experience, and superior rural coverage
Adaptive antenna null steering
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By over-provisioning the number of satellites Satellite-antenna pattern nulls are steered towards other-networks UEs.
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Regulatory advantage: Enhances compatibility with co-licensed terrestrial networks.
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Defense advantage: AJ capability
SWAP
Satellites can be much smaller than SOA monolithic satellites. Reduces development and launch costs.
Our Offerings
Get in touch
We are transforming the next generation of Direct to Device satellite services. Let’s connect to discuss how your business can benefit from our innovations or if you are interested in partnering in our growth.