Abstract: In one embodiment, a satellite communications system includes first and second receivers, splitters, and combiners. The first receiver is configured to receive a first microwave communications signal; and the first splitter is coupled to the first receiver and configured to split the first microwave communications signal into at least first and second channels. The second receiver is configured to receive a second microwave communications signal; and the second splitter is coupled to the second receiver and configured to split the second microwave communications signal into at least third and fourth channels. The first combiner is coupled to the first and second splitters and configured to combine the first and third channels to form a third microwave communications signal; and the second combiner is coupled to the first and second splitters and configured to combine the second and fourth channels to form a fourth microwave communications signal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for use in managing satellite communications includes: receiving, at a first earth-based gateway antenna system, one or more microwave communication signals from a substantially geostationary satellite; monitoring for a performance change in at least one signal from the satellite; and, in response to detecting a performance change in the at least one signal, transmitting instructions to the satellite to transmit at least a portion of the one or more microwave communication signals to a second earth-based gateway antenna system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a satellite beam pointing system that uses color encoded signals from subscribers to align antennas on a satellite and to align the satellite. Subscribers detect the signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio of signals that are transmitted from the satellite. The values of the signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio data are encoded in signals that are transmitted back to a ground station that color encodes the data and graphically displays the signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio of the subscriber received signals. The actual beam projection can then be determined and the satellite antennas moved, so that the actual beam projection coincides with the intended beam projection. Also, the satellite can be properly oriented using this technique.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a satellite communications system includes first and second receivers, splitters, and combiners. The first receiver is configured to receive a first microwave communications signal; and the first splitter is coupled to the first receiver and configured to split the first microwave communications signal into at least first and second channels. The second receiver is configured to receive a second microwave communications signal; and the second splitter is coupled to the second receiver and configured to split the second microwave communications signal into at least third and fourth channels. The first combiner is coupled to the first and second splitters and configured to combine the first and third channels to form a third microwave communications signal; and the second combiner is coupled to the first and second splitters and configured to combine the second and fourth channels to form a fourth microwave communications signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a satellite communications system includes first and second receivers, splitters, and combiners. The first receiver is configured to receive a first microwave communications signal; and the first splitter is coupled to the first receiver and configured to split the first microwave communications signal into at least first and second channels. The second receiver is configured to receive a second microwave communications signal; and the second splitter is coupled to the second receiver and configured to split the second microwave communications signal into at least third and fourth channels. The first combiner is coupled to the first and second splitters and configured to combine the first and third channels to form a third microwave communications signal; and the second combiner is coupled to the first and second splitters and configured to combine the second and fourth channels to form a fourth microwave communications signal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for use in managing satellite communications includes: receiving, at a first earth-based gateway antenna system, one or more microwave communication signals from a substantially geostationary satellite; monitoring for a performance change in at least one signal from the satellite; and, in response to detecting a performance change in the at least one signal, transmitting instructions to the satellite to transmit at least a portion of the one or more microwave communication signals to a second earth-based gateway antenna system.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for use in managing satellite communications includes: receiving, at a first earth-based gateway antenna system, one or more microwave communication signals from a substantially geostationary satellite; monitoring for a performance change in at least one signal from the satellite; and, in response to detecting a performance change in the at least one signal, transmitting instructions to the satellite to transmit at least a portion of the one or more microwave communication signals to a second earth-based gateway antenna system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a satellite beam pointing system that uses color encoded signals from subscribers to align antennas on a satellite and to align the satellite. Subscribers detect the signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio of signals that are transmitted from the satellite. The values of the signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio data are encoded in signals that are transmitted back to a ground station that color encodes the data and graphically displays the signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio of the subscriber received signals. The actual beam projection can then be determined and the satellite antennas moved, so that the actual beam projection coincides with the intended beam projection. Also, the satellite can be properly oriented using this technique.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for use in managing satellite communication signal strength includes: receiving a beacon signal from an earth-based beacon, the received beacon signal having an amplitude; monitoring the amplitude of the beacon signal; and, in response to monitoring the beacon signal, causing a transmitter to adjust the signal strength for a satellite communication. According to another embodiment, a method for use in managing satellite communication signal strength includes: using a transmitter on a satellite, transmitting microwave communications signals; determining a distortion associated with at least a portion of the transmitted microwave communications signals; and, in response to the determination, causing the signal strength of the microwave communications signals transmitted by the transmitter to be adjusted.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a satellite communications system includes first and second receivers, splitters, and combiners. The first receiver is configured to receive a first microwave communications signal; and the first splitter is coupled to the first receiver and configured to split the first microwave communications signal into at least first and second channels. The second receiver is configured to receive a second microwave communications signal; and the second splitter is coupled to the second receiver and configured to split the second microwave communications signal into at least third and fourth channels. The first combiner is coupled to the first and second splitters and configured to combine the first and third channels to form a third microwave communications signal; and the second combiner is coupled to the first and second splitters and configured to combine the second and fourth channels to form a fourth microwave communications signal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for use in managing satellite communications includes: receiving, at a first earth-based gateway antenna system, one or more microwave communication signals from a substantially geostationary satellite; monitoring for a performance change in at least one signal from the satellite; and, in response to detecting a performance change in the at least one signal, transmitting instructions to the satellite to transmit at least a portion of the one or more microwave communication signals to a second earth-based gateway antenna system.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for distributing satellite communications capacity across non-contiguous geographic regions includes: using components on a satellite, splitting a first microwave signal carrying communications data into second and third microwave signals, such that the second and third microwave signals each carry the same communications data from the first microwave communications signal; transmitting the second microwave signal from the satellite to a first geographic region; and transmitting the third microwave signal from the satellite to a second geographic region; wherein the first geographic region is non-contiguous with the second geographic region.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for monitoring the performance of satellite communications includes first and second receivers, first and second splitters, a first transmitter, and one or more switches. The first receiver is configured to receive microwave communications signals from a first gateway antenna system. The first splitter is coupled to the first receiver and is configured to collect a copy of microwave communications signals from the first receiver. The second receiver is configured to receive microwave communications signals from a second gateway antenna. The second splitter is coupled to the second receiver and is configured to collect a copy of microwave communications signals from the second receiver. The first transmitter is configured to transmit microwave communications signals to a third gateway antenna system. The one or more switches are collectively configured to selectively couple the first transmitter to a selected one of the first and second splitters.

Abstract: A device for measuring the received signal strength at an Earth station antenna has the capability to provide an accurate pointing indication when the frequency bands and other key characteristics of the satellite signals are not uniform over the coverage area. The device has an input port, a plurality of passive or active signal filters, a filter selector and an output port. The device may further contain a signal amplifier with automatic or manual gain control. A plurality of filters is provided which may be coupled singularly or in combination between the input port and the output port. Each filter or combination of filters is associated with a particular geographic area and capable of allowing the satellite signal assigned to that geographic area to pass while attenuating or blocking other signals, noise and interference. The filter selector is used to connect the appropriate filter or combination of filters between the input port and the output port.