Abstract: A communications satellite system 100 is provided that comprises a communications satellite 101, at least one user terminal 204 and at least one gateway terminal 202. The communications satellite 101 conveys communication signals between the user terminal 204 and the gateway terminal 202. The communications satellite system 100 includes a forward communication path 200 and a return communication path 300 through the communications satellite 101 between the user terminal 204 and the gateway terminal 202. At least one equivalent signal component is located in both the forward communication path 200 and return communication path 300 and operates on the communication signals. The equivalent signal component has substantially the same operating range in both the forward communication path 200 and return communication path 300 for at least one operating characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method for allocating uplink and downlink bandwidth in a communication system is presented. The communication system includes a communication platform, a plurality of spokes and at least one hub. The plurality of spokes and at least one hub communicate through the communication platform. Each spoke includes spoke uplink bandwidth and spoke downlink bandwidth and each hub includes hub uplink bandwidth and hub downlink bandwidth. The allocation of bandwidth among the spokes and hub may be dynamically adjusted based on the present user demands. Additionally, if the communication system is a packet switched system, empty packets may be discarded at the communication platform and the bandwidth that was previously allocated to the packets may be reallocated.