Filtronic plc announced a new contract win with a leading global provider of low earth orbit ("LEO") satellite communications equipment. The contract, valued initially at $6.0 million (£4.8 million), with revenue expected to be recognised within calendar year 2024, is for the delivery of production volumes of the second generation of Filtronic's innovative Cerus32 solid state power amplifier ("SSPA") module. The SSPA modules will be installed in selected ground station locations as part of the customer's earth station antenna deployment which provides full E-band connectivity to the growing number of E-band enabled LEO satellites.

The Cerus Power Module utilises Filtronic's unique MMIC chip design and proprietary power combining techniques to provide a small form factor amplifier module with scalable output powers ranging from 4W to over 20W at E-band frequencies. Working closely with the customer, Filtronic have been able to accelerate the Cerus technology roadmap from the initial Cerus16 units supplied in early 2023, to the current Cerus32 module that is optimised for power and ease of field deployment. Future demand for Cerus32 SSPA modules under this contract will be considered as standard production volume but development of the Cerus SSPA platform will continue as the customer explores opportunities for higher power and alternative frequency bands.