A new software-based antenna system could improve communications efficiency by directing radio frequency (RF) energy toward specific targets instead of broadcasting in all directions.
Developed by Massachusetts-based Notch Technologies, the MAGIC Series uses electronically controlled materials to steer signals in any direction without moving mechanical parts.
The approach is designed to deliver directional communication links without the size, weight, power requirements, and cost associated with conventional phased-array systems.
It is positioned as an alternative to omni-directional antennas, which typically broadcast energy broadly and require higher power consumption.
“We’ve spent decades optimizing radios, but the antenna, the first point of contact with the RF environment has remained mostly static hardware,” Notch CEO Shahriar Kushrushahi said in a press release.
“We are turning it into a software-defined system that can be configured, updated, and improved over time.”
From Ground Stations to Drones
The system comes in two variants, including MAGIC WIZARD, which weighs around 700 grams (1.5 pounds) and offers roughly twice the range of a standard omni antenna.
It is intended for ground stations and fixed installations, but can also be used on vehicles supporting mobile operations.
The smaller MAGIC ELF weighs 250 grams (9 ounces) and is designed for drone platforms with tight size and weight constraints for RF systems.
Both variants are compatible with existing radios and standard RF interfaces, allowing straightforward integration.
Adapting Over Time
Notch envisions the MAGIC Series improving over time through software updates, with ongoing refinements to signal patterns and performance.
The system is aimed at supporting longer-range, more reliable communications links in high-intensity environments where omni antennas often struggle.
For radio and wireless system developers, the technology shifts antennas into a dynamic layer of RF architecture rather than a fixed hardware component.
MAGIC WIZARD and ELF are available to customers, with broader deployment planned later this year.
The company is also reportedly developing a lighter variant of MAGIC WIZARD intended for Group 1 drones.
