S3 Group announces world's first fully integrated, single conversion radio to be used in devices, transceivers and modem operating off the Iridum network

DUBLIN – May 20th 2015 – S3 Group, a global independent supplier of RF and mixed-signal IP and tailored silicon solutions to service operators, OEMs and semiconductor vendors, today announces the availability of the world’s first fully integrated, single-conversion radio transceiver, to be used in satellite communications devices, handsets, transceivers and modems that will operate off the current Iridium® network and the Iridium NEXT system. Iridium Communications Inc. is operator of the world’s furthest-reaching communications network and a vital part of the global communications infrastructure. Iridium NEXT is the most significant commercial space program underway today.

The fully integrated, single conversion radio transceiver, represents a radical innovation from the current dual conversion architectures, common in the Mobile Satellite Services space. This enables the lowest form factor and lightest Satellite Transmit and Receive modem in the world and further enables Iridium to substantially reduce form factor, power consumption and cost as well as to expedite delivery of products to market while enabling Iridium’s value added manufacturers (VAMs) and resellers (VARs) greater flexibility in embedding the Iridium data modems into their products.

This radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) is designed to be used in Iridium’s current L band satellite system, as well as Iridium NEXT, the forthcoming higher data-rate system, and includes a digital pre-distortion (DPD) algorithm which allows for greater flexibility in the choice of external critical components in the system.
“S3 Group delivered a working IC design to us for our next-generation devices, which delivers breakthrough improvements in size and performance. S3 Group previously delivered a working chipset for the Iridium 9602 SBD Modem. Their successful track record in the delivery of complex programs for Iridium made S3 Group a natural choice to develop the new RF IC for Iridium NEXT terminals,” said Scott Smith, COO, Iridium. “Their ability to put a multi-disciplined team of engineers with expertise in System design, RF, analog and digital design as well as the company’s leading-edge RF and mixed-signal IP portfolio, combined with program management expertise enables Iridium to stay at the forefront of the growing M2M market.”

Commenting on S3 Group’s latest success at Iridium, Dermot Barry, Vice President Semiconductor Solutions at S3 Group said, “S3 Group continues to offer innovative solutions to our customers. This was a highly complex, R&D program involving system design and leading edge RF IC development to which we brought our System Level solution capabilities, our silicon proven IP portfolio and our RF, analog and digital IC design skills, to bear. Once again we have proven that we can address innovative challenges which allow our customers to remain at the forefront of their markets, all the while reducing project risk and accelerating time to revenue of our customers’ products. We at S3 Group are proud of our long-standing relationship and history of innovation with Iridium and we hope to support further innovative engagements in the future.”

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About S3 Group:

S3 Group delivers IP and tailored Silicon Solutions to Semiconductor companies, OEMs and Service Operators. The company is the longest serving independent silicon solutions provider in the industry, building a wealth of experience and engineering expertise over the last 28 years. The company provides a comprehensive portfolio of RF and mixed-signal IP, in addition to IC design services. The IP portfolio includes high performance ADC and DAC converters, PLLs, Analog Front Ends (AFEs), Power Management, RF Transceivers and other miscellaneous circuits which have been silicon proven at a number of foundries (TSMC, Global Foundries, UMC, SMIC, IBM, Tower) at nodes ranging from 180nm to 28nm. Global end markets served by S3 Group clients include Consumer Mobility, Consumer, Satellite Communications, Communications Infrastructure, Automotive, and Industrial. Founded in 1986, S3 Group, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, has development centers in Ireland, Poland, the Czech Republic and Portugal with sales offices and representatives worldwide.

For further information please visit www.s3group.com/silicon.

About Iridium Communications Inc.:

Iridium is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables connections between people, organizations and assets to and from anywhere, in real time. Together with its ecosystem of partner companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of reliable solutions for markets that require truly global communications. The company has a major development program underway for its next-generation network — Iridium NEXT. Iridium Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A., and its common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol IRDM. For more information about Iridium products, services and partner solutions, visit www.iridium.com.