Satellite networking is pushing into the far edge of connectivity, where traditional infrastructure cannot reach. Low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites like Starlink must operate as self-contained, high-throughput networks, managing massive volumes of data without the possibility of on-site maintenance. Central to this evolution is Xsight’s X2 switch, a high-performance, programmable silicon solution powering Starlink's V3 satellites.
Each next-generation Starlink satellite must handle terabits of data per second, coordinating inter-satellite links, user downlinks, beam steering, and orbital routing, all simultaneously. Unlike terrestrial networks, there is no technician to swap out a failed component in orbit. Any hardware malfunction could compromise network performance for thousands of users.
This {extremely} far-edge environment demands switches that are not only extremely fast and efficient but also exceptionally reliable under the harshest conditions. That is the challenge the Xsight X2 was designed to meet.
The Xsight X2: Built for Anything
The X2 switch is built on TSMC’s advanced N5 process and leverages state-of-the-art 100G SerDes technology. This combination delivers 12.8 terabits per second of switching capacity, allowing satellites to route data internally with ultra-low latency. By improving the speed and efficiency of internal communications, the X2 helps ensure that Starlink V3 satellites can handle growing user demand without sacrificing performance or reliability.
Beyond raw speed, the X2 switch is designed to be fully programmable. Its flexible architecture can adapt to complex, evolving workloads without the need for hardware changes. This adaptability is critical for orbital networking, where tasks such as optical link switching, mesh routing, and high-throughput user data processing must all occur seamlessly.
In addition to performance and flexibility, the X2 has undergone rigorous environmental qualification testing. It has been validated to withstand vibration, radiation, temperature extremes, and thermal stress ensuring reliable operation in the challenging conditions of spaceflight.
Enabling Terabit-Class Satellites
The integration of the X2 switch into Starlink’s next-generation satellites significantly expands their networking capabilities. With terabit-class throughput, these satellites can handle dramatically higher volumes of data, both between satellites and to ground terminals. This increased capacity is key for delivering faster, more consistent connectivity to end users, regardless of location.
Moreover, the low power consumption of the X2 switch helps maintain overall satellite efficiency, a crucial factor for long-duration missions in orbit. By reducing energy requirements without compromising speed or performance, the switch contributes to the overall sustainability and operational effectiveness of the constellation.
Flexible, Programmable, Space-Ready
What sets the X2 apart is its combination of programmability, high-speed performance, and space qualification. Unlike fixed-function networking components, the X2 can adapt to new algorithms, routing protocols, or data-handling strategies. This makes it future-proof, allowing Starlink to implement software-based optimizations without waiting for new hardware deployments.
Its proven resilience under extreme conditions ensures uninterrupted operation in orbit, enabling satellites to maintain reliable network connectivity across the constellation. For engineers, this means a robust, scalable platform capable of supporting millions of users while maintaining ultra-low latency communication.
What sets the X2 apart for far-edge applications is its space-grade resilience. Every unit undergoes exhaustive environmental qualification, including vibration, radiation, extreme temperatures, and thermal cycling. These tests ensure that the switch can operate reliably for years in orbit, far from any repair facility.
For satellites billions of kilometers above Earth, this reliability is non-negotiable.
Enabling Global Connectivity from Anywhere
By integrating the X2 switch into next-generation Starlink satellites, Xsight Labs is providing the reliable networking core necessary for high-throughput, low-latency satellite communications. These satellites can now support terabit-class traffic while remaining fully autonomous in some of the most remote and unforgiving environments imaginable.
The X2 allows satellites to function as self-reliant, far-edge data hubs, delivering high-speed internet where terrestrial infrastructure cannot reach, and doing so with a level of reliability that would be impossible with conventional networking components. Have a terrestrial or extraterrestrial challenge the X2 can solve?