Abstract: A payload (108) to be mounted onto a satellite (102) can include a first steerable antenna (302) providing a downlink to and an uplink from a first user terminal; a second steerable antenna (304) providing a downlink to and an uplink from a second user terminal; a switching network (306) coupling the first steerable antenna to the second steerable antenna; and a payload control unit (120) controlling the switching network to select one of the downlink to the first user terminal provided by the first steerable antenna and the downlink to the second user terminal provided by the second steerable antenna, and one of the uplink from the first user terminal provided by the first steerable antenna and the uplink from the second user terminal provided by the second steerable antenna.

Abstract: A payload (108) to be mounted onto a satellite (102) can include a first steerable antenna (302) providing a downlink to and an uplink from a first user terminal; a second steerable antenna (304) providing a downlink to and an uplink from a second user terminal; a switching network (306) coupling the first steerable antenna to the second steerable antenna; and a payload control unit (120) controlling the switching network to select one of the downlink to the first user terminal provided by the first steerable antenna and the downlink to the second user terminal provided by the second steerable antenna, and one of the uplink from the first user terminal provided by the first steerable antenna and the uplink from the second user terminal provided by the second steerable antenna.

Abstract: Satellite communication systems are provided that employ highly inclined, highly elliptical orbits. The satellite communication systems have a satellite constellation phased to provide a ground trace with respect to the earth that is repeated by each of the satellites in the constellation such that the satellites appear to follow one another over similar paths over the earth. Due to the path of the ground trace provided, ground stations can employ a single axis tracking device since the satellites appear to move along similar overlapping paths in opposing directions relative to a user on the ground during communication control handoffs.

Abstract: A system and method of providing scalable beam coverage for satellite communications to ground terminals. A single antenna being adapted to provide an adjustable range of narrow to wide area coverage is provided and a density of ground terminals in the coverage area is determined. A required total beam data rate is determined and the antenna is adjusted to generate single or multiple beams of variable beamwidths that correspond to the field of view required and the transmitted power and linearity are adjusted to the proper levels as determined from the density of ground terminals and required total beam data rate. The required total beam data rate capacity remains essentially constant over the adjustable range of narrow to wide area coverage.

Abstract: An electrical system and heat sink assembly is provided. The electrical system and heat sink assembly has a heat sink and more than one different electrical operational unit directly thermally coupled to the heat sink. At least one of the electrical operational units has a plurality of electrical components. A distribution panel is electrically connected to the electrical operational units. The distribution panel is directly electrically coupled to at least two of the electrical operational units. The distribution panel distributes power and control signals to the electrical operational units.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to, in a first aspect, an antenna array stimulation system. In one embodiment the system comprises an array of radiating elements, a conductive layer adjacent the array of radiating elements adapted to receive electrical energy from, or couple electrical energy to, the array, and at least one connection device adapted to couple the electrical energy between the conductive layer and a test unit, wherein antenna performance degradation due to potential losses in coupling the energy between the conductive layer and the test unit are minimized.