Space-Based Internet Gets A Boost: AST SpaceMobile And Cadence Collaborate On High-Bandwidth Satellite Chip

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. ASTS disclosed a collaboration with Cadence Design Systems, Inc. CDNS to support its mission of bridging global connectivity gaps.

The partnership aims to deliver high-speed, space-based internet access directly to everyday smartphones, enhancing worldwide communication.

Cadence and AST SpaceMobile jointly developed the AST5000 ASIC, a custom low-power chip central to AST’s next-generation BlueBird program.

This advanced ASIC delivers up to ten times the processing bandwidth per satellite, paving the way for seamless, space-based cellular broadband services globally.

The AST5000 ASIC incorporates Cadence’s advanced tools, design flows, and IP, including high-speed SerDes, enabling efficient power and performance tradeoffs tailored to customer requirements across broad industrial temperature ranges.

Cadence’s design enablement team further optimized power, performance, and area (PPA) for the SoC, enhancing its efficiency and functionality.

The collaboration also leveraged Cadence’s Palladium Emulation Platform, which played a critical role in pre-silicon development by validating and refining IP integration to ensure the final design’s integrity and performance.

Boyd Phelps, senior vice president and general manager of the Silicon Solutions Group at Cadence, said, “Our extensive suite of robust, high-performance AI-driven EDA tools and IP solutions played a crucial role in the development of the AST5000 ASIC, providing a comprehensive solution spanning custom and digital design and verification.”

Last month, AST SpaceMobile reported third-quarter revenue of $1.1 million and an adjusted loss of $1.10 per share, missing analyst estimates for a loss of 20 cents per share.

Investors can gain exposure to the ASTS via Procure Space ETF UFO.

Price Action: ASTS shares are down 0.09% at $23.20 at the last check Tuesday.

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