Abstract: The invention concerns a method of communication between ground stations via satellites traveling around the Earth and forming part of a constellation overflying at least a major portion of the Earth, each ground station communicating during a particular time with a given satellite of the constellation. Two ground stations communicate via respective given satellites with which the stations are respectively communicating. To minimize the control means on board each satellite, the two satellites communicate via a predetermined communications link. A link of the above kind generally comprises one or more predetermined satellites.

Abstract: A satellite for a satellite telecommunication system transmits signals at different powers on the downlink connection. The powers are chosen to limit the relative dynamic range of signals received on the downlink connection. The relative dynamic range of signals received on the downlink connection is advantageously less than 5 dB and preferably less than 2 dB. A digital processor circuit is used, together with an analog-digital converter, a circuit taking the fast Fourier transform of the converted signals, a circuit for monitoring the gain of the signals, a circuit for switching the signals to at least two amplifier subsystems each including an inverse fast Fourier transform circuit, a digital-analog converter and a power amplifier.