Abstract: A system and method for increasing the performance of a satellite communication system by using a multivariate analysis approach to optimize the pointing of the boresight of a satellite-mounted antenna. Optimizing the pointing of the boresight of the antenna minimizes sidelobe generation, and thus Co-Channel Interference (CCI) in geographic areas served by the system. By minimizing CCI, the overall system performance of the communication system is optimized. To optimize the pointing of the boresight of the antenna, the overall performance of the satellite communication system is determined, and the boresight of the antenna is iteratively repointed in the direction of increasing system performance until the optimized boresight pointing is determined. Alternatively, the frequency re-use plan of the satellite communication system may be analyzed to determine a high density cell region and the boresight may be pointed to the high density cell region.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for satellite communication with a hybrid payload. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a data communication satellite with a hybrid (transponding and processing) payload. The satellite includes a hybrid communication payload providing signal transmission and minimal processing of the signal, an antenna for at least one of transmitting and receiving the signal, and a processor for intercepting a communication request. The processor generates a response to the communication request. The communication request may be generated by a user terminal. The processor may assign the communication request to a communication channel based on criteria. The criteria include available bandwidth and/or number of connection requests, for example. In an embodiment, the payload provides minimal processing of the signal. The payload may facilitate communication between a user terminal and a content provider or ground processing controller.