C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. (TSXV: CMI, OTCQB: CYSNF), a global provider of mobile satellite antenna systems, has received a $412,550 grant from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) under the FABrIC program. The funding supports the development of beamforming integrated circuits and intelligent antenna modules for satellite-based IoT and electronically steered antennas.
The project, titled “High Efficiency Beamforming IC and Intelligent Beam-forming Antenna Modules for Satellite IoT and ESA Terminals,” will run for two years. The total value of the initiative is $2.46 million, with additional support of $497,650 awarded to MMSENSE Technologies Inc., which is leading the technical effort.
“This grant allows C-COM to enter a new vertical market with multi-billion-dollar potential,” said Dr. Leslie Klein, President and CEO of C-COM. “It also gives us control over Ka-band semiconductor IC development, which will improve cost-efficiency and performance.”
The project focuses on building low-power, high-efficiency beamforming chips and antenna solutions. These will be used in C-COM’s new flat panel electronically steered antennas, optimized for Ka-band satellite connectivity across LEO, MEO, and GEO constellations.
MMSENSE, a deep-tech firm based in Waterloo, Ontario, specializes in millimeter-wave beamforming and antenna technologies. Its work on Analog Beamforming Integrated Circuits (BFICs) and Active Electronically Scanned Arrays (AESAs) is central to speeding up the transition from prototypes to market-ready systems.
“FABrIC funding strengthens our ability to scale engineering and move rapidly toward commercial deployment,” said Dr. Mohammad-Reza Nezhad-Ahmadi, CEO of MMSENSE. “We’re pleased to partner with C-COM to advance Canadian leadership in satellite communications.”
The grant comes under FABrIC, a five-year, $223 million program managed by CMC Microsystems. FABrIC supports Canadian firms working in quantum, photonics, compound semiconductors, and MEMS, and helps bridge innovation with industries like aerospace, automotive, and cleantech.
C-COM has sold more than 11,000 satellite antenna systems in over 100 countries and is known for its iNetVu® brand. The company is currently in the final stages of satellite testing for its conformal, flat-panel phased array antennas—designed for mobility applications across land, air, and sea.
The upcoming BFICs from this project will be integrated into all future electronically steered antenna (ESA) products by C-COM. The goal is to significantly reduce hardware cost while improving overall system performance.
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