Startup Falcomm Secures Seed Funding for Innovative ‘Dual-Drive’ Power Amplifier

The landscape of communication technology is on the brink of a significant transformation with the emergence of a groundbreaking innovation in power amplifiers. The latest development, known as the dual-drive power amplifier (PA), is poised to revolutionize the efficiency and performance of amplifiers in the realm of satellite 5G and 6G communications, as well as wearables. The concept behind this revolutionary technology was conceived by Edgar Garay, the founder and CEO of Falcomm, during his time at the Georgia Institute of Technology, before establishing the company in 2021.

The recent funding round for Falcomm, led by Squandra Ventures and joined by prominent investors such as Cambium Capital, Draper Cygnus, and the Georgia Tech Foundation, has propelled the advancement of this patented technology. By pushing the theoretical maximum efficiency limits of amplifiers beyond 78.5 percent, the dual-drive PA has demonstrated remarkable results in silicon, achieving a drain efficiency of nearly 65 percent at 28GHz.

One of the key distinguishing features of the dual-drive PA is its ability to enable simultaneous transmission at each terminal of a circuit. Falcomm asserts that this innovative approach delivers performance that is 1.8 times more efficient at twice the power level, while requiring only half the silicon area compared to traditional power amplifiers. This efficiency breakthrough not only enhances performance but also offers significant benefits to manufacturers by reducing thermal management and energy costs, thereby streamlining overall system requirements.

In a statement, Garay emphasized the importance of advancing power amplifier technology to align with the rapid pace of innovation in the modern electronic era. He highlighted the critical role that power amplifiers play in enabling various electronic devices and underscored the need for continuous improvement in this essential component of communication systems.

To further drive the strategic growth and development of Falcomm, the company has appointed Thomas Cameron as its chief strategy officer. With over 35 years of experience in radio frequency R&D, Cameron brings a wealth of expertise to his new role, having previously served as the CTO for the communications business unit at Analog Devices. Additionally, Ned Cahoon, who previously worked in IBM's RF business unit and later at GlobalFoundries, has been named director of foundry and customer relationships, further strengthening Falcomm's leadership team.