What Square Peg Communications does

Square Peg Communications Inc. is a privately held Ottawa-based specialist in DSP-based satellite communications test, simulation, and base station equipment, founded in 1993 by Michael Gertsman and John Bodie. The company designs and builds hardware-in-the-loop test systems used by satellite operators, terminal manufacturers, aerospace primes, and defense organizations to validate physical layer and protocol behavior before on-orbit deployment — replacing expensive over-the-air trials with deterministic, 24x7 lab testing. Its flagship is the RLS-2100 Radio Link Simulator, an in-lab satellite channel emulator supporting up to 2.4 GHz instantaneous bandwidth, multi-orbit constellation simulation (LEO/MEO/GEO/HEO), 5G NTN testing aligned to 3GPP Release 17/18/19, and integration with standards such as OpenAMIP and ARINC 429. The portfolio also includes physical layer testers for Inmarsat BGAN/FleetBroadband/SwiftBroadband, Inmarsat-C, IsatData Pro, and Classic Aero services; voice and avionics simulators (VTP, GDU, GES Emulator, MCDU, ACARS CMU); base station subsystems (MCP Channel Unit, Classic Aero GES Channel Unit); and OEM subsystems (BGAN Modem Subsystem, Classic Aero AES Subsystem) that are integrated directly into customer products.

The company monetizes through one-time hardware sales of test equipment, OEM subsystem licensing (including DO-178B Level D certified software for aviation safety), and professional services for system engineering, custom development, and field trials. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with multi-year enterprise contracts typical of the customer profile. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales with channel partnerships — most notably VIAVI Solutions for global 5G NTN distribution (announced June 2026), Artiza Networks for Japan (October 2025), and co-development with the European Space Agency and WORK Microwave on the Space for 5G/6G Strategic Programme. Its Classic Aero AES Subsystem is reportedly deployed across more than 8,000 commercial, business, and military aircraft, anchoring long-tenure OEM relationships with Inmarsat-class customers.

Name

Square Peg Communications

Legal name

Square Peg Communications Inc.

Website

https://squarepeg.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Square Peg Communications designs DSP-based satellite communications test and simulation equipment — most notably the RLS-2100 Radio Link Simulator — serving satellite operators, terminal manufacturers, aerospace primes, defense agencies, and Inmarsat-class OEMs worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Satellite Communications Test Equipment

NAICS

Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Test & Measurement Equipment (Oscilloscopes, DAQ, signal analyzers, calibration benches) (IMAGAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment (IMABAFAN), Military Aerospace Ground Support Equipment (GSE) & Test Systems (IMABAMAL), Avionics Communication Systems (VHF/UHF/SATCOM/Data Link) (IMABAFAG)

Keywords

• Satellite link emulation
• Satellite communications testing
• DSP-based modems
• Base station subsystems
• Radio link simulation

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - Test Equipment: Sale of specialized satellite link simulators (RLS-2100), physical layer testers, and channel emulators. Hardware platforms include the MCP (Multi-Channel Platform) and various application-specific test systems.
2. Software Development: Custom software development for Windows/Linux PC/server-based and embedded real-time systems. DO-178B Level D certified software for aviation safety applications.
3. System Engineering Services: Satellite systems engineering including link budgets, RF chains, modulation/coding, protocol analysis, and interference analysis. Also includes custom design and development, field trials, and test-related services.
4. Hardware Development:

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Square Peg Communications designs, manufactures, and sells DSP-based hardware and software products used to develop, test, and certify mobile and fixed satellite communications terminals and base stations. Its core catalog includes the RLS-2100 Radio Link Simulator for in-lab hardware-in-the-loop testing of satellite links, a family of physical layer testers for Inmarsat services (BGAN, Inmarsat-C, IsatData Pro, Classic Aero), avionics and antenna simulators, base station channel unit subsystems, and OEM subsystems (BGAN Modem Subsystem, Classic Aero AES Subsystem) licensed for integration into customer equipment. The company also delivers systems engineering, custom design and development, and test-related services.

Product overview

Square Peg Communications is a satellite communications test and simulation equipment company offering a comprehensive portfolio of hardware-in-the-loop testers, simulators, base station equipment, and OEM subsystems. The core product is the RLS-2100 Radio Link Simulator, a wideband satellite channel emulator supporting 5G NTN, multi-orbit constellations (LEO/MEO/GEO/HEO), and hybrid terrestrial-satellite networks with up to 2.4 GHz bandwidth. This is complemented by physical layer testers for BGAN, Inmarsat-C, IsatData Pro, and Classic Aero services; voice test platforms; aeronautical test equipment (GDU, GES Emulator, MCDU Simulator, ACARS CMU Simulator); and base station subsystems (MCP Channel Unit, Classic Aero GES Channel Unit). The company also provides OEM subsystems (BGAN Modem Subsystem, Classic Aero AES Subsystem) for integration into customer products, plus systems engineering and custom development services. Recent partnerships with VIAVI Solutions (TM500 integration) and Artiza Networks (Japanese market distribution) extend the product ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• RLS-2100 Radio Link Simulator In-lab satellite link emulator for hardware-in-the-loop testing, supporting LEO, MEO, GEO, and HEO constellations, 5G NTN (3GPP Release 17/18/19), and hybrid terrestrial-satellite networks with up to 2.4 GHz instantaneous bandwidth and Python-based remote control API. Used by satellite operators, terminal manufacturers, defense agencies, and chipset developers.
• BGAN Physical Layer Tester (BPLT) Physical layer tester supporting testing of physical layer performance and protocol implementation for Radio Access Nodes and User Terminals implementing Inmarsat's BGAN, Fleet Broadband, and Swift Broadband services. Combines built-in channel simulation with signal analysis for Inmarsat terminal and base station developers.
• Voice Test Platform (VTP)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 8,000 aircraft equipped with Square Peg's CAAS software
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• VIAVI SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Strategic partnership to deliver advanced test capabilities for 5G NTN market. Combines Square Peg's RLS-2100 satellite channel emulator with VIAVI's TM500 Network Tester for end-to-end NTN validation. Joint platform enables developers to test Direct-to-Device connectivity, LEO constellations, and hybrid terrestrial-satellite networks. Partnership designed to de-risk product development and accelerate time to market for 5G NTN deployment.
• Artiza NetworkscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 October 2025Distribution agreement expanding reach of RLS-2100 Radio Link Simulator into Japanese market. Artiza will provide local sales and support for Japanese satellite communications operators, manufacturers, integrators, and chipset developers to validate and emulate satellite communication environments in laboratory settings.
• European Space Agency (ESA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2023Selected by ESA to implement emulation environment for testing scenarios across multiple satellite constellations as part of ESA's Space for 5G and 6G Strategic Programme Line. Partnership with WORK Microwave and support from Canadian Space Agency delivered emulator spanning nearly 30 GHz frequency range.
• WORK MicrowavecoreTechnology or Integration · 14 November 2023European technology firm partnered with Square Peg for ESA project. Provided flexible wideband converter technology enabling combined offering to interface directly to equipment in 5G FR2 band as well as Ku- and Ka- satellite bands.
• European Space Agency (ESA) and InmarsatflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerESA and Inmarsat contract for Micro-SAS (portable BGAN Satellite Access Station). Square Peg supplied MCP-based Channel Unit Subsystem and RF Subsystem for demonstration of multicast transmission over BGAN.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Spirent Communications: Specialist in positioning, navigation, and satellite communications testing. Provides channel emulators and GNSS/satellite test platforms that overlap with Square Peg's RLS-2100, particularly for LEO constellations and 5G NTN.
• WORK Microwave: European satcom equipment manufacturer partnering with Square Peg on the ESA 5G/6G emulator. Provides frequency converters and satcom subsystems that interface directly with RLS-2100, making it both a partner and an adjacent competitor in satellite ground equipment.
• Anritsu: Japanese-headquartered test and measurement company with satellite and wireless test solutions. Comparable to Square Peg in physical-layer and RF testing for satcom, and is a relevant indirect competitor through its presence in the Japanese market.
• Keysight Technologies: Global leader in electronic test and measurement with extensive satellite communications, aerospace, and 5G NTN testing solutions. Competes directly with Square Peg in RF/satellite link emulation and physical-layer testing for aerospace and defense customers.
• Rohde & Schwarz: Major T&M vendor with satellite communications testers, signal generators, and aerospace/defense test solutions. Competes with Square Peg's physical-layer testers and RLS-2100-class emulator offerings for satcom and 5G NTN validation.
• Artiza Networks: Japanese telecom test and measurement vendor now distributing Square Peg's RLS-2100 in Japan. Comparable in serving chipset vendors and operators with wireless/satellite test solutions, and a meaningful regional partner/peer for NTN testing in APAC.
• Kratos Defense & Security Solutions: Provider of satellite ground systems, signal processing, and RF products for defense and commercial satcom. Overlaps with Square Peg's base station equipment (MCP), OEM subsystems, and military satcom test business.
• Gatehouse Satcom: Danish satcom software specialist whose BGAN Network Emulator integrates with Square Peg's BPLT. Comparable niche player in Inmarsat / BGAN test and emulation, serving similar satellite operator and integrator customers.

Broad incumbents

• VIAVI Solutions: Broad wireless test and measurement incumbent with TM500 Network Tester, 3GPP validation infrastructure, and now a strategic partnership with Square Peg for 5G NTN. Overlaps with Square Peg in end-to-end NTN testing while serving much larger enterprise accounts.
• Comtech Telecommunications: US-listed provider of satellite ground station technologies, modems, and defense communications. Overlaps with Square Peg in OEM satcom subsystems, base station equipment, and military satcom test and integration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/square-peg-communications

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Square Peg Communications