Interference in multi-feeder links of a same frequency between an aerial-floating type communication relay apparatus and plural gateway (GW) stations is suppressed. A transmission signal band of a feeder link is divided into plural divided frequency bands, and plural propagation path responses between plural GW stations and an antenna for feeder link of the communication relay apparatus are respectively estimated with respect to each of plural divided frequency bands, by setting a center frequency of the divided frequency band as an estimation frequency, based on a reception result of the pilot signals respectively received from the plural GW stations and separated from each other. A weight for suppressing an interference signal that causes an interference by a transmission signal transmitted from the GW station and received with a directional beam corresponding to another GW station is calculated for each of the divided frequency bands based on the plural propagation path responses. A reception signal received with the directional beam corresponding to the other GW station is multiplied by the weight corresponding to the other GW station and subtracted from the reception signal received with the directional beam corresponding to the other GW station, for each of the divided frequency bands.

This application provides a satellite communication method and apparatus. A terminal obtains a level-1 broadcast signal from a satellite, where a beam status corresponding to the level-1 broadcast signal is an energy saving state, and the level-1 broadcast signal includes synchronization information. The terminal obtains a level-2 broadcast signal from the satellite, where a beam status corresponding to the level-2 broadcast signal is a broadband communication state. The terminal communicates with the satellite based on the level-2 broadcast signal.

An outdoor satellite receiving unit (ODU) receives several independent satellite signals, selects two signals with a switch matrix, downconverts the two signals to a bandstacked signal with a high and a low band signal, and outputs the bandstacked signal on the same cable to receiver units. Several satellite signals can be selected in groups of two or more and output to independent receiver units. Signal selecting is performed at the received radio frequency (RF) and bandstacking is performed with a single downconversion step to an intermediate frequency (IF). Channel stacking on the same cable of more than two channels from several satellites can be achieved by using frequency agile downconverters and bandpass filters prior to combining at the IF output. A slow transitioning switch minimizes signal disturbances when switching and maintains input impedance at a constant value.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining a first network parameter associated with a first network device and obtaining a second network parameter associated with a second network device. Further embodiments include determining that the first network device is less congested than the second network device based on the first network parameter and the second network parameter resulting in a first determination. Additional embodiments include amplifying a first wireless signal based on the first determination and in response to receiving the first wireless signal from the first network device resulting in a first amplified wireless signal, and transmitting the first amplified wireless signal Other embodiments are disclosed.

A method and apparatus is disclosed to restrict the delivery of video, audio, and/or data to unauthorized end users in a satellite communications system. The satellite communications system includes one or more satellite receiving antennas, commonly referred to as a satellite dish, to receive downlink communications signals from one or more satellites. The transmission received by the one or more satellite receiving antennas is converted by an outdoor unit (ODU) for transmission to one or more indoor units (IDUs). The ODU receives control information from one or more satellites from the downlink communications signals, commonly referred to as in-band, and/or from out-of-band communications signals. The ODU may use the control information to restrict access to one or more communications channels embedded within the downlink communications signals to the unauthorized end users.

Methods and systems are described for providing end-to-end beamforming. For example, end-to-end beamforming systems include end-to-end relays and ground networks to provide communications to user terminals located in user beam coverage areas. The ground segment can include geographically distributed access nodes and a central processing system. Return uplink signals, transmitted from the user terminals, have multipath induced by a plurality of receive/transmit signal paths in the end to end relay and are relayed to the ground network. The ground network, using beamformers, recovers user data streams transmitted by the user terminals from return downlink signals. The ground network, using beamformers generates forward uplink signals from appropriately weighted combinations of user data streams that, after relay by the end-end-end relay, produce forward downlink signals that combine to form user beams.

Methods and systems are described for providing end-to-end beamforming. For example, end-to-end beamforming systems include end-to-end relays and ground networks to provide communications to user terminals located in user beam coverage areas. The ground segment can include geographically distributed access nodes and a central processing system. Return uplink signals, transmitted from the user terminals, have multipath induced by a plurality of receive/transmit signal paths in the end to end relay and are relayed to the ground network. The ground network, using beamformers, recovers user data streams transmitted by the user terminals from return downlink signals. The ground network, using beamformers generates forward uplink signals from appropriately weighted combinations of user data streams that, after relay by the end-end-end relay, produce forward downlink signals that combine to form user beams.

Systems and methods for supporting more flexible coverage areas and spatial capacity assignments using satellite communications systems are disclosed. A hub-spoke, bent-pipe satellite communications system includes: terminals; gateways; a controller for specifying data for controlling satellite operations in accordance with a frame definition including timeslots for a frame and defining an allocation of capacity between forward and return traffic; and a satellite including: pathways; at least one LNA, an output of which is for coupling to a pathway and to amplify uplink beam signals in accordance with the allocation; and at least one HPA, an input of which is for coupling to the pathway and to amplify downlink beam signals in accordance with the allocation, and wherein the frame definition specifies at least one pathway as a forward pathway for at least one timeslot and as a return pathway for at least one other timeslot in the frame.

Disclosed embodiments relate satellites using a Software-Defined Radio (“SDR”) system. In one example, a geostationary (GEO) satellite includes an antenna system including multiple antennas, each configured to provide a spot beam having an adjustable throughput for a terrestrial coverage area while the antenna is in an active state and the satellite is in orbit above the Earth, a front-end subsystem communicatively coupled to the antenna system having an input side including an input filter and an analog-to-digital converter, and an output side including an output filter and a digital-to-analog converter, and a software defined radio (“SDR”) communicatively coupled to the antenna system via the front-end subsystem. The SDR, in response to a surge modification request, modifies a throughput of each active antenna by increasing or decreasing a share of a satellite power budget allotted to the antenna by deactivating or activating a previously active or previously inactive antenna, respectively.

The techniques disclosed herein feature a user equipment (UE), a base station, and methods for a UE and abase station. The UE comprises a transceiver which, in operation receives coverage area information indicating a coverage area of at least one candidate satellite beam relative to a satellite location of at least one satellite generating, respectively, the at least one candidate satellite beam; and circuitry which, in operation, determines, based on the received coverage area information, ephemeris data of the at least one satellite generating the at least one candidate satellite beam, and a location of the user equipment, a target satellite beam for switching out of the at least one candidate satellite beam and a switching timing for switching to the target satellite beam, and controls the transceiver to perform switching to the determined target satellite beam at the determined switching timing.