Abstract: A multi-beam satellite comprises an input section receiving a plurality of first spot beams and an output section transmitting a plurality of second spot beams. A payload architecture is coupled between the input section and output section. It flexibly and selectively switches and filters the first plurality of spot beams received by the input section and provides signals to the output section to be transmitted as the second plurality of spot beams.

Abstract: A frequency scalable, low self-generated noise frequency source generates coherent or mostly-coherent local oscillator signals and includes a common reference, a coherent set of high frequency references and specific local oscillators which may be non-coherent for each specific output frequency. Delay lines may be included in the paths to ensure time delay alignment. The use of these elements with this modular design allows the generation of multiple coherent local oscillators via replication of the modular design elements.

Abstract: A multi-beam satellite comprises an input section receiving a plurality of first spot beams and an output section transmitting a plurality of second spot beams. A payload architecture is coupled between the input section and output section. It flexibly and selectively switches and filters the first plurality of spot beams received by the input section and provides signals to the output section to be transmitted as the second plurality of spot beams.

Abstract: A satellite is provided that routes signals on 0 to n channels to any one of M downlink beams. The satellite may include n first-stage switches each corresponding to one of the 0 to n channels, M multiplexing devices each to combine n/2 channels into one output channel, M second-stage switches to receive outputs from said M multiplexing devices and M downlink antenna ports coupled to the M second-stage switches.

Abstract: A multi-beam satellite has an input section to receive uplink spot beams in a first range of frequencies and an output section to transmit downlink spot beams in a second range of frequencies. An IF section is coupled between the first antenna and second antenna. It down-converts the uplink spot beams in the first range of frequencies to intermediate signals in an intermediate range of frequencies, flexibly and selectively switches and filters the intermediate signals in the intermediate range of frequencies, and up-converts the intermediate signals in the intermediate range of frequencies to the downlink spot beams in the second range of frequencies.

Abstract: A redundancy network is provided that may include a first unit having first unit primary components and first unit redundant components, and a second unit (coupled to the first unit) having second unit primary components and second unit redundant components. A signal may pass through the first unit primary components and through the second unit primary components based on a first control signal and pass through the first unit redundant components and through the second unit redundant components based on a second control signal.

Abstract: A communications satellite has multiple HPA redundancy pools. All downlink feed signals driven by HPAs in any one of the HPA redundancy pools are placed on a first number of antenna apertures which is less than the total number of available antenna apertures and, in the event that a HPA driving a downlink feed signal fails, only one of the other HPAs co-located in that same HPA redundancy pool may drive that downlink feed signal. Each one of the HPA redundancy pools provides downlink feed signals to the same number, but a different unique combination, of antenna apertures and is located so that the waveguide run length between it and the furthest antenna aperture in the unique combination of antenna apertures containing downlink feed signals provided by it is minimized.

Abstract: A frequency scalable, low self-generated noise frequency source generates coherent or mostly-coherent local oscillator signals and includes a common reference, a coherent set of high frequency references and specific local oscillators which may be non-coherent for each specific output frequency. Delay lines may be included in the paths to ensure time delay alignment. The use of these elements with this modular design allows the generation of multiple coherent local oscillators via replication of the modular design elements.