Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Showcases licriOn™ Smart Antenna Technology at 2021 SATELLITE Exhibition

• licriOn™ technology enables cost-efficient wireless transmission of large amounts of data and high-speed connectivity even in remote areas
• The company, along with development partners ALCAN Systems and NexTenna, will present technology that enables novel satellite broadband antennas.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, will showcase its liquid crystal-based technology licriOn™ together with its smart antenna partners ALCAN Systems GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany, and NexTenna, Kiryat Bialik, Israel, at SATELLITE 2021. Both developing partners will present their licriOn™-powered next generation antennas at the largest tradeshow in the satellite industry. SATELLITE 2021 will take place from September 7^th to 10^th at the Gaylord Convention Center in National Harbor, in Washington DC, USA.  

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany contributes to smart antenna innovation together with its partners

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany is providing its licriOn™ liquid crystal technology to smart antenna developers that are designing a new generation of affordable and energy efficient antennas which easily connect with stationary and moving satellites. Both the energy and cost efficiency of the liquid crystal-based solution help to achieve an extensive connectivity access. ALCAN Systems and NexTenna will showcase the progress of their licriOn™-powered product pipeline at the SATELLITE exhibition.

“High speed communication networks are being rolled out around the globe, but billions of people in remote locations are being left behind,” said Michael Heckmeier, Head of the Display Solutions business unit of the Electronics business sector of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “Connectivity with low earth orbit satellites via affordable smart antennas offers a solution to universal connectivity access. By enabling such antennas, we – together with our partners – are ultimately providing access to the most basic communication needs for everyone.” 

At SATELLITE 2021, ALCAN Systems will present its latest electronically controlled antenna for enterprise use which operates in the Ka-band frequency spectrum. The Ka-band offers higher data throughput for improved broadband connectivity via satellite at a reasonable cost. The product pipeline of ALCAN Systems includes antenna solutions for fixed consumer access as well as connected cars and 5G.

NexTenna will present its portable NexTenna™ MP GEO smart antenna which connects to LEO and GEO satellites. This flat antenna can be used on-the-go and operates in the Ku-band which is resilient to weather conditions and has outstanding coverage capacity. Further products in the company’s pipeline include NexTenna™ V for cars, NexTenna™ LEO for homes that connect to LEO satellites and NexTenna™ 5G for terrestrial communication systems. The company’s focus is to realize very affordable antenna solutions for consumers.

By leveraging its expertise in liquid crystals, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany is offering a breakthrough innovation that enables the wireless transmission of large amounts of data and high-speed connectivity. The company has established commercial agreements with industry partners that are committed to achieving extensive connectivity access, even in remote areas where fast Internet connections are unavailable or unaffordable today.