UK-based design house Ensilica is developing a chip that will enable a space-based cellular network, planned by AST SpaceMobile. AST SpaceMobile aims to build a global cellular network in space, that will use unmodified mobile devices but will address the coverage gaps in terrestrial networks just as satellite does. Ensilica is designing an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) to power the spacecraft electronics. Ensilica’s business development chief Paul Morris told EETimes: “AST is putting a mobile base station in space … The key advantage is it works with any existing mobile, and you just need to buy a subscription to connect to their network. And people like Vodafone and others are partnering with them.” By contrast, LEOsat networks like Starlink connect…