Advancing Satcom Innovation with Sofant Technologies at the Satellite Applications Catapult
Marketing
Introducing Sofant and Their Miniaturised Ka-Band Satcom Terminals
Sofant Technologies, based in Edinburgh, is developing cutting-edge Ka-band satcom terminals designed for both airborne and ground-based platforms. These systems significantly reduce the size, weight, and cost of existing terminals using custom-designed components, with the long-term goal of enabling high-volume production without the need for over-the-air testing.
To ensure early-stage design accuracy and signal integrity, Sofant has collaborated with the Satellite Applications Catapult to carry out critical antenna testing at its state-of-the-art facilities in Harwell.
The Challenge: Testing complex antennas without in-house capabilities
Like many high-growth companies in the space sector, Sofant does not have internal facilities to carry out advanced antenna testing, particularly at Ka-band frequencies. Given the complexity of their receiver (Rx) and transmitter (Tx) arrays -operating across mixed frequency environments-accurate and reliable testing was vital for verifying real-world performance.
With no suitable facilities locally, the team sought a trusted UK-based facility and landed on the Catapult’s Near Field Antenna Test Range at Harwell in Oxfordshire, over 400 miles from their base.
Access to Facilities: Utilising the Catapult’s Antenna Test Range
Despite the distance, the Catapult’s facility offered exactly what was required: advanced measurement systems, a low-noise environment, and experienced technical staff. Over multiple week-long campaigns, Sofant tested a range of Tx and Rx arrays alongside supporting reference antennas.
The Catapult’s team provided expertise in resolving common Ka-band measurement artefacts and worked closely with Sofant to adapt the testing environment. One key innovation involved tailoring the test setup to accommodate the unique mixed-frequency configuration of the arrays—something not natively supported by the standard test software.
The facility’s flexible scheduling and reliable setup made it possible to complete extensive testing efficiently and confidently.
Impact and Results: Accelerating development through trusted testing
The collaboration enabled Sofant to:
- Complete successful development-phase testing of multiple antenna types.
- Resolve technical challenges faster by leveraging the Catapult’s expertise.
- Simulate field-use scenarios with custom test configurations.
- Build confidence in the measurement results, ensuring engineering decisions were grounded in reliable data.
Sofant plans to continue using the Catapult’s facilities for future antenna development, verification, and eventual certification testing as the terminals move closer to commercial readiness.
The Future: Enabling scalable satcomms for the UK Space sector
Sofant’s satcom terminals have the potential to play a major role in the UK’s space ecosystem, supporting multiple communication applications. Access to high-quality capabilities like the Near Field Range at the Catapult’s Harwell facilities has been critical to Sofant’s development and the acceleration of their product.
“The Catapult is a brilliant resource for small space sector companies, such as Sofant, who simply would not be able to self-fund such test facilities”
