Next-generation wireless networks face major challenges as 5G, 5G-Advanced and future 6G introduce more radios for communication, radar, NTN and ambient IoT. Current radio architectures are highly complex, consume excessive energy and require 32–256 RF paths per radio unit, each costing around €200. This drives high CAPEX and OPEX, slows deployment, and contributes to the EU’s 5G Standalone penetration presently remaining below 2%. The lack of efficient and affordable radio systems limits the economic and societal benefits expected from advanced connectivity. ArgoSemi aims to address this bottleneck through the development of the Active Antenna Catalyst (AAC): a modular, highly integrated active antenna module combining a 2D metamaterial printed antenna, a single-board architecture and a Smart RFIC with embedded analog AI. This solution reduces the number of required modules, lowers energy consumption by more than 25% and enables wide-band, multi-radio operation in a compact form factor.
The project targets a seamless transition from design to physical prototypes and validation with third-party partners, ultimately enabling affordable, scalable and energy-efficient radio solutions for European operators.