Accelercomm

AccelerComm develops physical layer (PHY) technology for 5G radio access networks, with a focus on Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) such as satellite communications. Its core expertise is channel coding, also known as forward error correction, which corrects transmission errors caused by noise, interference and poor signal strength. The company states its solutions process 10x more 5G data per watt than software-only alternatives and that its technology is space-qualified on more than 200 communications satellites in orbit, with further deployments planned across LEO, MEO and GEO orbits.

The product portfolio includes AX-RG for regenerative NTN satellite payload and onboard processing, AX-TP for PHY acceleration in transparent and hybrid 5G satellite networks, an evaluation kit (EVK) for 5G and NTN system evaluation, LDPC forward error correction IP for 5G and 6G NTN PHY, and 3GPP-compliant Polar encoding and decoding IP for 5G NR control channels. Earlier product materials also reference LEOPhy, a complete Layer 1 modem for low-earth-orbit 5G satellite communications. Implementations span software, AI Engines, FPGA and ASIC-ready IP cores, and are designed to integrate with O-RAN, Small Cell Forum and 3GPP standards while meeting satellite SWaP (size, weight and power) constraints.

The company reports a portfolio protected by 55 international patents (with a 56th patent announced), and states that £45m has been invested in developing and proving its IP. It is an active member of the O-RAN ALLIANCE and the Small Cell Forum.

Founding story

Rob Maunder, then Professor of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton, founded AccelerComm in 2016 by spinning the company out of his wireless communications research group, building a business around the signal processing and channel coding algorithms developed by his PhD research team.

Business model

AccelerComm licenses and supplies physical layer (Layer 1) intellectual property and solutions to satellite operators, aerospace primes, mobile network operators and telecoms equipment vendors. Its portfolio ranges from customizable signal processing components (LDPC forward error correction, Polar encoding/decoding) to complete PHY solutions, delivered as software, AI Engine, FPGA and ASIC-ready IP cores, alongside an evaluation kit (EVK) for system evaluation. The company positions itself as an embedded partner working with customers from design through deployment.

Revenue derives from supplying and licensing physical layer IP and solutions - signal processing components, IP cores and complete PHY implementations - to customers who embed them in satellite payloads, base stations and network equipment, together with engineering engagement from design through deployment.

Traction

The company states its technology is space-qualified on more than 200 communications satellites in orbit, with additional deployments forthcoming in LEO, MEO and GEO. It reports 55 international patents (56th announced), £45m invested in developing and proving its IP, and named engagements with Vodafone, Intel, AMD, National Instruments, Radisys, Eclipse Space and the Airbus UpNext SpaceRAN demonstrator.

Latest developments

Recent announcements include AccelerComm powering Eclipse Space's 5G physical layer for sovereign satellite constellations, an expanded collaboration with Radisys to extend satellite 5G capabilities for global IoT and broadband services, and securing its 56th patent covering 5G innovation for non-terrestrial networks. Leadership changes include the 2025 appointment of David Helfgott as CEO and the 2024 arrival of Tim Rogers as Chief Engineer.