Spacepath Communications and Polarity Inc. have formed a new company, Stellar Satcom, based in Rancho Cordova, California, to provide marketing and customer support for the Stellar range of products across North America. The joint venture will also provide a collaborative platform for the design of new leading-edge amplifier products, where superior RF performance is required in small, lightweight, power-efficient packages.

Spacepath Communications ('Spacepath'), based in the UK , acquired the established and proven Stellar product family of high power outdoor amplifiers (HPA) from e2v Technologies in 2014 and the new venture will leverage the market-leading, high voltage power systems technology and manufacturing capabilities of Polarity Inc. ('Polarity').

The combined experience and technology of both organizations, delivered through Stellar Satcom, will offer a unique product capability to customers in evolving satcom markets that demand high efficiency, lightweight, and affordable HPA solutions.

These include the proven Stellar products and new offerings in Ka-, Q-, and V-band for next-generation high throughput satellites (HTS).

Newton Burnet, managing director, Spacepath Communications said: "Our acquisition of the Stellar brand has successfully positioned the company as an agile, responsive manufacturer of satcom HPAs with a strong focus on customer service.

"The new venture is the next logical step to develop new products and establish our products in new markets. I'm delighted to enter into this venture with Polarity Inc., an innovative company with a proven reputation for high density, high voltage power systems within the microwave industry."

Wade Goins, president, Polarity Inc., commented: "Today's announcement of our joint venture is a great example of how Polarity continues to invest in new global relationships within the satcom industry and of our commitment to provide lightweight, low cost, high reliability TWTA and HPA products.

It further validates what our customers are expecting for the next generation satcom amplifiers, as Polarity's power systems will provide the needed technology advancements to move the higher frequency bands to the forefront of the satcom industry.

Our joint venture with SpacePath, who bring a proven and established product range coupled with a wealth of industry experience, make them a perfect teaming partner."

Stellar Satcom will be showcasing the full line-up high power amplifiers at Satellite 2016 in Washington (March 8, 2016). On display will be the company's latest products, including a range of touch-screen, indoor rack mount TWTAs and their new high power Ka-band amplifiers which are among the smallest, lightest and most efficient products on the market designed for HTS applications.

Continuing to set the pace in HPA performance, the Stellar range of amplifiers covers all mission-critical segments including satellite newsgathering (DSNG), flyaway, fixed-earth stations and military satellite communications.