Swarms of pico-satellites could work together as a single large antenna for direct-to-smartphone communications, as reported by researchers from Japan. Instead of relying on a single large satellite with a phased-array antenna, the team showed that pico-satellites orbiting Earth in formation could each carry individual phased-array elements and be synchronized wirelessly. The proof-of-principle experiment demonstrated reliable, high-quality data transmission, paving the way for cheaper, more reliable network coverage worldwide.
The idea that ordinary smartphones could connect directly to satellites, known as direct-to-device (D2D) satellite communications, has gained momentum in recent years. The goal is to provide coverage virtually anywhere on Earth, including remote places such as oceans and deserts, where conventional ground networks fail or cannot reach. To establish links between orbiting satellites and smartphones, phased-array antennas are a well-established solution. These antennas are made up of many small radiating elements that work together. By carefully controlling the timing of the signals transmitted or received by the elements, the arrays can electronically steer the beam, relocating coverage areas without relying on moving mechanical parts.
However, deploying phased-array antennas in space comes with serious drawbacks. The satellites needed are large, extremely expensive to launch, and vulnerable to failure—if a single key component breaks, the entire satellite could be damaged and rendered useless. A deeper technical challenge lies in the fact that, for a phased array to work, all antenna elements must be synchronized with high precision. Coordinating thousands of antenna elements in space without linking them via physical cables is an enormous technical hurdle.
To address these issues, a research team led by Associate Professor Atsushi Shirane from the Laboratory for Future Interdisciplinary Research of Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo), Japan, has proposed an innovative solution. Instead of relying on a single large satellite, the team envisioned a system in which tens of thousands of pico-satellites would fly in formation and function together as a single large phased-array antenna. Their paper, which describes the proposed idea in detail, will be presented at the 2026 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) on February 15–19, 2026.
At the core of their work is a new ‘non-wired’ phased-array architecture called the “spatial wireless combining and distributing technology.” In this approach, a gateway satellite broadcasts a reference signal, which all the pico-satellites use to stay synchronized, even though they are physically separated. This solves the non-wired system issues of synchronizing the reference signal and combining or distributing communication signals transmitted via cables. The advantage of this design is that each satellite can operate without the need for local oscillators or synchronizing components, which consume substantial energy. “The proposed architecture enables the miniaturization of each unit,” highlights Shirane. “A compact size allows for utilizing rocket ride-share opportunities, resulting in significantly lower launch costs,” he adds, noting another major benefit.
To test their solution, the researchers designed and fabricated a compact transceiver chip using standard silicon CMOS technology—the same type of easy mass-production manufacturing process used in many everyday electronics. This enables each distributed pico-satellite to individually install a chip to function as a phased array antenna. They built small wireless modules and used them in proof-of-principle experiments that mimic the formation of satellites in space. Using signals based on the long-term evolution standard used in modern smartphones, the proposed system successfully demonstrated precise beam steering (aiming of the phased-array antenna) and high-quality data transmission, even with advanced modulation schemes.
Beyond cost savings, the proposed approach also improves reliability. Because the antenna elements are distributed across many satellites, the system does not depend on any single unit. “Our solution ensures high robustness. In contrast to conventional monolithic satellites, the overall network remains operational even if individual satellites fail,” explains Shirane.
Taken together, the results point to a new way of building D2D satellite communication systems through formation flight. If developed further, this technology could soon support future satellite networks that connect directly to everyday devices, thereby expanding global coverage while reducing costs and risks.
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About Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo)
Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) was established on October 1, 2024, following the merger between Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) and Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech), with the mission of “Advancing science and human wellbeing to create value for and with society.”
Experimental study
Not applicable
A Formation Flight Phased-Array Transceiver for Spatial Power Combining and Distributing Architectures in Direct-to-Device-Communication Satellite Constellations
19-Feb-2026
The authors declare no conflict of interest.