Abstract: A communication platform such as a spacecraft, airborne platform, or terrestrial line of site wireless platform is provided with adaptive digital beamforming. The satellite digitizes a full spectrum allocation for digital channelization. A channelization engine can determine a particular user or user group associated with an uplink signal. In this manner, the communication platform can apply different processing based on the user or group associated with a signal. For example, the communication platform receives uplink signals associated with a first user group and a second user group in one embodiment. The platform dynamically generates one or more spot beams for the first user group and the second group. The platform discriminates the uplink signals to apply frequency hopping for the downlink frequency channel assignments to the second user group while the downlink frequency channel assignments for the first user group remain fixed.

Abstract: A photonic switch device accepts a data modulated RF signal and outputs the data modulated RF signal or a frequency converted version thereof at one or more outputs of the switch device. Tunable laser(s) is/are controlled to cause peak wavelength(s) of the optical signal(s) emitted therefrom. An EOM receives the accepted data modulated RF signal and optical signal(s) produced using the tunable laser(s), and the EOM outputs an optical data signal modulated to include the data modulated RF signal. A WDM receives the optical data signal output by the EOM and the optical data signal received by the WDM demultiplexer is output at one or more outputs thereof based on peak wavelength(s) of the optical data signal. Photodetectors optically coupled to respective outputs of the WDM demultiplexer convert optical signals back to electrical signals. Related methods and system are also described herein.

Abstract: A high capacity satellite having multiple aspect ratios is configured to have at least two modules. Each module includes a first panel and a third panel facing, in an on-orbit configuration, respectively, toward north and south and having a width in an east-west direction (EW width); and a second and a fourth panel oriented, in the on-orbit configuration, respectively, east and west and having a width in the north-south direction (NS width). Each module has a respective aspect ratio of EW width to NS width, a first module is configured with a first aspect ratio, a second module is configured with a second aspect ratio; and the second aspect ratio is substantially larger than the first aspect ratio. At least one antenna reflector is disposed, during launch, proximate to at least one of the first and third panel of the second module.