Industry’s first multi-band terminal Kymeta and JDI Partner to Produce New Multi-Band Metasurface Aperture

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Kymeta has announced a master supply agreement with Japan Display Inc (JDI), to develop a new next-generation multi-band  metasurface aperture to enable concurrent operation across Ku and Ka-band satellite frequencies.This collaboration will deliver the industry’s first multi-band, metasurface terminal, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of multi-band, multi-orbit satellite communications.  

The partnership brings together Kymeta’s expertise in metasurface antenna technologies and JDI’s advanced capabilities in rigid flat-panel thin film transistor (TFT) manufacturing and high-volume production. 

Key capabilities required by global forces

Through cutting-edge research and development, the two companies will collaborate to bring to market a unique metasurface technology that will enable lightning-fast beam-switching across bands and networks, industry-leading SWaP-c (size, weight, power, and cost), and lowest electromagnetic observability (radio-frequency and infrared). Leveraging high volume consumer technologies allows Kymeta to provide terminals at scale that deliver key capabilities required by global forces.

This collaboration marks the next critical phase in Kymeta’s multi-band product roadmap. The Ku/Ka metasurface terminal will be the first product to emerge, building on Kymeta’s previous announcement of a Ku/Ka antenna, capable of supporting both Ku and Ka band satellite frequencies simultaneously. It will lay down the groundwork for seamless satellite roaming across frequency bands and orbits.  

This partnership represents a pivotal transition for Kymeta as we move from technology development into product development, positioning ourselves to scale into high-volume applications.

Manny Mora, President and CEO of Kymeta

The resulting Ku/Ka terminal will focus initially on addressing defense demands, including long-standing requests from the U.S. Department of Defense for flexible, resilient Ku/Ka-band communications. The U.S. Space Force has consistently articulated the need for multi-band, multi-orbit systems capable of operating across a “network of networks” to support agile and contested operations.

“Our Ku/Ka breakthrough in 2025 demonstrated what was possible, and this partnership is about delivering that capability at scale. By collaborating with a world-class consumer electronics manufacturer like JDI, we are accelerating the path to market for the first Ku/Ka metasurface terminal needed for the next generation of defense and autonomous systems, while maintaining the integrity and security of the supply chain for this mission critical technology", says Mora.

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For drones, autonomous and other attritable systems

This partnership also lays the groundwork for future scalable solutions suitable for high-demand applications such as drones, autonomous systems, and other attritable systems, where low-profile, low-power, and especially low-cost electronically steered antennas are critical.  

Commercial applications are expected to follow quickly, helping shift the satellite communications industry away from proprietary, fixed‑frequency systems and toward a cellular‑like model where user equipment can seamlessly roam across networks, frequency bands, and orbits.

For JDI, contributing to the Ku/Ka metasurface antenna serves as a flagship project within its “Beyond Display” initiative, extending its core flat-panel technologies into advanced communications and non-display markets.

Koji Yoshida, Sensor Division General Manager at JDI. said: “This partnership with Kymeta represents a powerful extension of JDI’s flat-panel and TFT manufacturing expertise into advanced satellite communications. By combining Kymeta’s pioneering metasurface antenna technology with our high-precision, high-volume production capabilities, we aim to deliver the industry’s first truly scalable multi-band satellite terminal.”  

“This collaboration not only supports critical defense requirements today but also exemplifies JDI’s ‘Beyond Display’ strategy as we expand into new, high-growth markets where performance, reliability, and manufacturability are paramount.”

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Product development is currently underway, with product demonstrations starting first half of  2026. Ku/Ka products resulting from the collaboration will be rolled out globally in the following year.

Jun Akema, JDI CEO stated “JDI’s semiconductor technology that enables the formation of high‑precision thin‑film transistors (TFTs) on glass substrates, refined through decades of display development, has been adopted as a next‑generation antenna component. This milestone underscores the technological value JDI continues to create beyond display applications. Through our collaboration with Kymeta, the global leader in industrial satellite antennas, JDI is poised to help shape the future of next‑generation communications infrastructure. Leveraging world‑class manufacturing capabilities and proven reliability, JDI will continue to drive innovation and deliver new value to the global market.”