Northrop Grumman is advancing a new gallium nitride (GaN) microchip designed to act like a tiny “brain,” improving the strength, clarity, and speed of wireless signals.
Built for high-demand military and commercial applications, the device operates in the W-band spectrum, enabling the transmission and reception of highly detailed data at very high frequencies.
It supports satellite-based links for radar-related systems while also aligning with emerging 5G and 6G connectivity requirements.
Developed and made market-ready in under six months, the platform uses a compact, low-cost architecture intended to replace bulkier, more power-hungry systems, while improving overall signal efficiency and reliability.
The microchip aims to provide warfighters with more secure and responsive communications, enabling faster and more stable data links in complex environments.
Development Path
The chip was developed at Northrop Grumman’s semiconductor facility in California.
The work was carried out through a collaboration with the Microelectronics Commons California DREAMS Hub, where the company serves as a key industry partner.
Funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the project operates as a joint industry–government–academia initiative.
The program is aimed at strengthening domestic leadership in advanced microelectronics and accelerating the transition of next-generation technologies from development to deployment.
