Abstract: A command modulation system receives commands from a plurality of input sources, some local and some remote, and routes the commands to a plurality of commanded devices, which may be satellites. By use of the input sources, a user configures digital signal processors located in each of a plurality of modulation channels so that the channels have the desired modulation parameters. In this way, the system can be made to command a plurality of different types of commanded devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a non regenerative multibeam communications system with FDMA access and SSTDM connectivity. In accordance with the present invention, FDM input signals are transformed into corresponding TDM input signals. The TDM input signals are matrix switched and routed along the desired output transmission path(s). The TDM input signals routed along each output transmission path are then transformed into corresponding FDM output signals prior to further processing or transmission. The apparatus and method make it possible to provide full interconnectivity using time domain processing in a FDMA/FDM system.

Abstract: An integral lightweight solar cell panel containing a plurality of interconnected solar cells bonded to a fiber-reinforced polyimide film made from an isoimide-containing precursor. The solar cells can be placed on the reinforced polyimide film while the film is in a partially cured condition and the cells become bonded to the film upon completion of the cure. A transparent polymeric film, such as a polyimide, can be used as protective means for the front surfaces of the cells.

Abstract: A transmitting earth station for a satellite communications system in which the channel capacity of a two-carrier-per-transponder transmitter is greatly enhanced. The transmitting station is provided with an equalizer at the input to the high power amplifier (HPA). The transfer function of this equalizer assists in the reduction (in the first order approximation) of the intelligible crosstalk due to the non-linearities of the HPA, the travelling wave tube amplifier (TWTA) and the input transponder multiplexer. With the intelligible crosstalk reduced, the input backoff of the transponder TWTA may be reduced from -12dB to -6dB, which increases the channel capacity in the order of 500 channels.

Abstract: A push-pull microwave amplifier in which an input signal is split into two ransmission paths in a manner which simulates the behavior of a center-tapped transformer over a broad frequency range. The input signal is first divided into two identical paths and then passed down first and second transmission line segments in the two paths bi-directionally. One of the transmission line segments is terminated in an open circuit and the other in a short circuit so that the reflected signals have the opposite polarities. By making the transmission line segments of equal length, the opposite polarity signals emerge from the transmission line segments at the same time. The signals are then amplified and then passed again bi-directionally along third and fourth transmission line segments terminated in short and open circuits so as to re-convert the signals to the same polarity. The signals are then summed to produce the composite amplified output signal.