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.
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