Metarray™ and SmarTenna™ hybrid antenna technology integrated with NXP Layerscape® Access LA12xx baseband & digital beamforming processor and Synergy 3GPP-standards complied software packages; early customer evaluation planned from Q3’2026
At MWC Barcelona 2026, Novocomms Limited and Synergy Design Technology Limited announced plans for a family of plug-and-play Metarray-to-Modem modules utilising NXP® Semiconductors LA12xx technology. This helps OEM vendors and network integrators shorten the 5G FR2 CPE/gNB and NTN terminal development cycles. The modules are designed across the antenna, RF subsystem and DFE/PHY baseband processing subsystem. This enables a faster evaluation, faster system-level hardware and software development, as well as a faster time-to-market.
The product line supports the 5G FR2 26/28/39 GHz bands (5G NR FR2 operating bands n258, n257, and n260) and NTN Ku/Ka bands. Market segments include 5G/NTN infrastructure and CPE.
Leveraging the NXP LA12xx programmable PHY/DFE modem platform, built with Novocomms’ Metarray™ and SmarTenna™ technologies, the Metarray-to-Modem modules deliver best-in-class SWaP-C (size, weight, power and cost) versus conventional phased-array approaches by combining a programmable meta-surface with a hybrid beamforming optimised and RF-performance scalable AAU. These products advance the state of SDR by integrating a software-defined antenna, RF and baseband system. This level of integration brings advantages in power-efficiency and form factor, which brings lighter weight and lower cost than traditional phased-array implementations.
The modules integrate Synergy 3GPP software packages for 3GPP Release 17, 18 and 19, with support for different applications and features to accelerate the system testing and validation process. The initial software will be released in Q3 2026, with example profiles and lab tests for customer evaluation.
Planned initial modules (target specifications):
- 5G FR2 CPE / UE (26/28 GHz): EIRP up to 58 dBm, 64/256-QAM, dual-polarised.
- 5G FR2 IBS / AAU (26/28 GHz): EIRP up to 76 dBm, 64/256-QAM, dual-polarised.
- NR-NTN AAU / UE (Ku/Ka-band): G/T up to 15 dB/K, EIRP up to 48 dBW.
The Metarray-to-Modem module (e.g. EIRP at 48 dBm) operates within a total module power envelope of less than 20 W. In high-volume production, the partners expect at least a 30% cost advantage compared to traditional phased-array approaches.
“FR2 and NTN programmes rarely fail on RF or software alone. They slip at the seams between them. This collaboration removes those seams and helps customers reach working terminals sooner.” — Dr Sampson Hu, CEO, Novocomms.
“By providing an integration-oriented software package with standardised interfaces, we aim to help customers move quickly from evaluation to field-ready systems across FR1, FR2 and evolving NTN requirements.” — Paul Li, CEO, Synergy.
“NXP’s LA12xx family of programmable baseband processors offers high performance and excellent PHY+DFE integration for high bandwidth 5G applications. This module design demonstrates the performance improvements and engineering advantages of mmWave/Ku/Ka 5G compared to 4G technology. This collaboration also demonstrates the energy, creativity and success of NXP’s Partner ecosystem.” — Wim Rouwet, Senior Principle Architect, NXP Semiconductors.
