Triad RF Systems, a prominent player in the defense and aerospace markets, has been making strides in the CubeSat industry, offering innovative solutions for long-range RF (radio frequency) links. Founded in 2013, Triad initially focused on designing high-power RF systems for Software Defined Radios (SDRs), primarily for military applications. However, as Dean Handrinos, the co-founder and co-Managing Director of Triad RF Systems, explains in an interview with ‘everything RF,’ a leading source of information for the RF & microwave industry, the company’s products are radio agnostic and can be applied to various communication needs.
Triad’s entry into the CubeSat market was serendipitous, with off-the-shelf products aligning with the market’s requirements. Handrinos emphasizes that the company soon recognized the potential of this sector and began actively engaging with customers in the CubeSat ecosystem.
“Even though our initial focus and market push was with applications and customers in defense, our products are radio agnostic and can be used for many applications where long-range RF links are necessary for communication or data and sensor information transmission,” says Handrinos.
Triad RF Systems specializes in radio range extension, which is crucial for satellite communications. The company’s products, including power amplifiers and bi-directional amplifiers, help enhance the RF link budget, ensuring reliable communication even in challenging conditions. Additionally, they offer frequency conversion products, allowing satellites to operate on different frequency bands and thus expanding their application possibilities.
Designing products for the CubeSat market comes with unique challenges, including handling extreme temperature variations in space, power management, and radiation hardening. Handrinos highlights that radiation in space is less intense than in nuclear accidents, making radiation mitigation more straightforward for CubeSat applications. Nevertheless, careful selection and testing of components are essential to ensure the reliability and performance of these systems.
The CubeSat industry is relatively new and still evolving, prompting Triad RF Systems to work closely with customers to understand their specific challenges and provide tailored solutions. As the market matures, Handrinos predicts more innovative applications and the emergence of successful companies catering to different niches within the industry.
“One of the biggest challenges I see customers facing is just how new, relatively speaking, the actual Cubesat industry is. The vendor landscape is not fully mature, platform standardization is still underway, and new government organizations and commercial companies are entering the market all the time,” adds Handrinos.
Triad RF Systems is excited to be part of this growing market and looks forward to helping customers turn their CubeSat systems into reality. The company invites customers to discuss their CubeSat needs and challenges with their team of engineering experts. With their expertise and cutting-edge solutions, Triad RF Systems is well-positioned to contribute to the future advancements of the CubeSat industry.
For the full interview transcript, please click here.
Featured image: Dean Handrinos, Co-Managing Director at Triad RF Systems. Credit: Triad RF Systems
James Dargan
James Dargan is a writer and researcher at The Quantum Insider. His focus is on the QC startup ecosystem and he writes articles on the space that have a tone accessible to the average reader. [email protected]
Share this article:
