Xsight Labs details X2 switch use in Starlink V3 satellites

Xsight Labs announced its X2 programmable Ethernet switch will serve as the switching core for Starlink V3 satellites, offering terabit-class switching capacity and space-qualified performance that enterprise network planners should track.

Research Overview

The vendor describes X2 as the high-speed networking element selected for Starlink V3, intended to handle fronthaul throughput above 1 terabit per second per satellite and uplink capacities near 160 gigabits per second. The design is intended to support routing, inter-satellite optical link traffic, adaptive beam steering, and high-throughput downlinks required for the Starlink constellation.

Key findings

Xsight reports the X2 provides 12.8 terabits per second of switching capacity and employs 100G Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) built on TSMC’s N5 process to deliver an ultra-low-latency, power-efficient data path. The company also highlights a fully programmable architecture intended to adapt to diverse orbital and ground networking workloads.

Technical breakdown

The X2’s specification emphasizes 100G SerDes and N5 process technology as the basis for its stated throughput and power characteristics, with programmability for evolving control and data plane requirements. The switch completed environmental qualification testing covering vibration, radiation, temperature, and thermal stress, which Xsight cites as confirmation of readiness for orbital deployment.

Operational impact

According to the blog, X2 is expected to support real-time processing and routing needs on Starlink satellites, including mesh routing decisions and management of optical inter-satellite traffic. “Starlink demands next-generation networking capabilities to quickly expand access to high-speed internet all around the world,” said Michael Nicolls, VP Starlink Engineering, SpaceX.

Availability

The X2 switch is stated to be available immediately and will be used in Starlink V3 satellites launching on SpaceX’s Starship; the vendor also cites a broader product portfolio, including the E1 solution, as complementary to X2. Xsight reports control and data plane optimizations intended to support ongoing satellite networking requirements.

This Blog Signals brief summarizes the vendor blog in factual terms and highlights technical and operational points enterprise decision-makers should note; this Blog Signals brief is a fact-based summary of the vendor blog.