Abstract: A payload design for a multi-spot-beam satellite communication system includes a plurality of uplink spot beam receivers and downlink spot beam transmitters, and a broadcast transmitting subsystem capable of transmitting a broadcast beam to an entire system geographical service area. An input filter-switch-matrix (IFSM) controllably selects input IF signal bands for routing to an on-board digital signal processor-router (DSPR). The DSPR subsequently routes all received point-to-point and broadcast data packets to the appropriate downlink spot or broadcast transmitting subsystems for transmission thereof. The broadcast downlink allows broadcast transmissions to occur at the highest efficiency possible, while also allowing for flexible provision of surge capacity for point-to-point transmissions on previously exhausted spot beams by selective use of the broadcast beam for such point-to-point transmissions.

Abstract: A payload design for a multi-spot-beam satellite communication system includes a plurality of uplink spot beam receivers and downlink spot beam transmitters, and a broadcast transmitting subsystem capable of transmitting a broadcast beam to an entire system geographical service area. An input filter-switch-matrix (IFSM) controllably selects input IF signal bands for routing to an on-board digital signal processor-router (DSPR). The DSPR subsequently routes all received point-to-point and broadcast data packets to the appropriate downlink spot or broadcast transmitting subsystems for transmission thereof. The broadcast downlink allows broadcast transmissions to occur at the highest efficiency possible, while also allowing for flexible provision of surge capacity for point-to-point transmissions on previously exhausted spot beams by selective use of the broadcast beam for such point-to-point transmissions.

Abstract: A payload design for a multi-spot-beam satellite communication system includes a plurality of uplink spot beam receivers and downlink spot beam transmitters, and a broadcast transmitting subsystem capable of transmitting a broadcast beam to an entire system geographical service area. An input filter-switch-matrix (IFSM) controllably selects input IF signal bands for routing to an on-board digital signal processor-router (DSPR). The DSPR subsequently routes all received point-to-point and broadcast data packets to the appropriate downlink spot or broadcast transmitting subsystems for transmission thereof. The broadcast downlink allows broadcast transmissions to occur at the highest efficiency possible, while also allowing for flexible provision of surge capacity for point-to-point transmissions on previously exhausted spot beams by selective use of the broadcast beam for such point-to-point transmissions.

Abstract: A method of digitally canceling interference on a received signal 60 within a satellite payload 44 using an interference reference feedforward signal 62 is provided. The satellite payload 44 of the present invention receives a communication signal 54 with interference via a first antenna 52. The communication signal 54 is converted into a received signal 60 and transferred to into a first input 61a of a satellite payload circuit 61. The satellite payload circuit 61 has the first input 61a, a second input 61b, and an output 61c. The output 61c is electrically coupled to the second input 61b by a feedforward signal path 70. The satellite payload circuit 61 adaptively cancels interference on the received signal 60 using an interference reference feedforward signal 62 that is transferred from the output 61c to the second input 61b via the feedforward signal path 70.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method of adjusting a reference level for uplink signal power for use in a dynamic power control system with satellite-based measurements in a satellite communications system. The uplink signal power for a plurality of received uplink signals is measured and combined to determine whether a signal power reference level requires adjustment. The signal powers of a plurality of uplink signals are measured at the satellite and the received signals are validated to ensure the signals are acceptable for use in adjusting the reference level. The valid signals are used to calculate an average signal power of the measured uplink signal powers, with the calculated average being compared to the current value of the reference level. Based on the comparison, the reference level either retains the current value or is reset to an adjusted value.

Abstract: A payload design for a multi-spot-beam satellite communication system includes a plurality of uplink spot beam receivers and downlink spot beam transmitters, and a broadcast transmitting subsystem capable of transmitting a broadcast beam to an entire system geographical service area. An input filter-switch-matrix (IFSM) controllably selects input IF signal bands for routing to an on-board digital signal processor-router (DSPR). The DSPR subsequently routes all received point-to-point and broadcast data packets to the appropriate downlink spot or broadcast transmitting subsystems for transmission thereof. The broadcast downlink allows broadcast transmissions to occur at the highest efficiency possible, while also allowing for flexible provision of surge capacity for point-to-point transmissions on previously exhausted spot beams by selective use of the broadcast beam for such point-to-point transmissions.

Abstract: A method and system for reserving channel resources in a random-access, multiple-path communication system utilizes a transmit group addressing arrangement for a reservation packet. A transceiver terminal wanting to transmit a signal must first send a reservation request packet to a packet router. Each reservation request packet includes an address header identifying the entire group of terminals to which the transmitting terminal belongs as the destination for the reservation request packet, and a data segment identifying the terminal and the channel resources to be reserved. After the reservation request packet is transmitted to the packet router, each terminal in the transmit group will determine the order of transmission depending on the sequence in which all reservation packets are received from the router. When a terminal begins transmission, a synchronization packet is sent as an indicator for allowing the remaining terminals to predict the end of transmission.