Various arrangements for performing transmodulation of a forward feeder link are presented. A first data stream and a second data stream can be modulated into a higher-order modulation forward feeder link having a higher-order digital modulation scheme. A satellite can receive the higher-order modulation forward feeder link. The satellite can demodulate the higher-order modulator forward feeder link into a bit stream. This bit stream may then be remodulated and retransmitted as multiple forward user links.

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 real-time signal validation are disclosed. In an example embodiment, a subset of terminals in a peer group of satellite terminals is determined. Operational statistics of the satellite terminals in the subset of terminals is measured. Operational statistics of each of the satellite terminals in the subset of terminals is compared to a prior measurement of the same operational statistics. An offset between a current measurement of the operational statistics and the prior measurement of the same operational statistics is determined. An average offset of the current measurement of the operational statistics and the prior measurement of the same operational statistics is determined for the subset of terminals. The average offset for the subset of terminals is merged with a previously determined peer group operational statistic. A signal validation of a terminal is performed using an updated deviation value.

Systems, methods, and apparatus for a virtual transponder utilizing inband commanding are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a disclosed method comprises receiving, by a payload antenna on a vehicle via a hosted receiving antenna, encrypted hosted commands transmitted from a hosted payload (HoP) operation center (HOC). The method further comprises receiving, by the vehicle, encrypted host commands transmitted from a host spacecraft operations center (SOC). Also, the method comprises reconfiguring a payload on the vehicle according to the unencrypted host commands and/or the unencrypted hosted commands. In addition, the method comprises transmitting, by the payload antenna, payload data to a host receiving antenna and/or the hosted receiving antenna. Additionally, the method comprises transmitting, by a host telemetry transmitter, the encrypted host telemetry to the host SOC. Further, the method comprises transmitting, by a hosted telemetry transmitter, the encrypted hosted telemetry to the HOC via the host SOC.

Examples disclosed herein relate to a communication system including a transceiver module, a rearrangeable switch network coupled to the transceiver module, a power distribution network coupled to the rearrangeable switch network, and a plurality of Beam Steering Phase Array (“BSPA”) antennas, each coupled to the power distribution network and dynamically controllable to generate beams according to a power regulation requirement for a set of satellites.

Systems and methods for ferrite redundancy switch networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, a redundant ferrite switch system comprises: a first plurality of circulator modules, a second plurality of circulator modules, and a plurality of components coupled to the first plurality of circulator modules and coupled to the second plurality of circulator modules, wherein the first plurality of circulator modules and the second plurality of circulator modules is able to route a path through the redundant ferrite switch system when more than two components in the plurality of components have failed. The first plurality of circulator modules and the second plurality of circulator modules each comprise, respectively: a plurality of inputs; a plurality of outputs; and a plurality of circulators connecting the plurality of inputs to the plurality of outputs.

A satellite communication system includes a phased antenna array having a field of view (FoV) and configured to communicate with a plurality of cells in the FoV via a plurality of beams. Each of the plurality of beams is associated with one of the plurality of cells. A phased antenna array is configured to apply adaptive taper selection, based on both the satellite position (in relation to a satellite service beam) and its surrounding interference scenario.

A system for dynamic calibration of a first radiofrequency chain to be calibrated comprises: an injection device for injecting a calibration signal whose waveform is predetermined, connected upstream of the radiofrequency chain to be calibrated, and a compensation device for compensating the amplitude-wise and phase-wise disparities caused by the first chain to be calibrated including a controlled compensation filter. The automatic calibration system comprises a device for temporal erasure of the calibration signal injected with the aid of an analogue or digital subtracter, the subtracter being connected downstream of the first radiofrequency chain to be calibrated.

A non-geostationary satellite is configured to provide a plurality of spot beams that implement a first frequency plan at Earth's Equator and a second frequency plan away from Earth's Equator. The second frequency plan is different than the first frequency plan. In one embodiment, the non-geostationary satellite is part of a constellation of non-geostationary satellites, with each of the satellites providing spot beams that implement a first frequency plan at Earth's Equator and implement a second frequency plan away from Earth's Equator as the satellites travel in orbit around Earth.

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. The satellite communications system may employ a satellite with a feed array assembly and may use on-board beamforming or ground-based beamforming. Beam hopping within timeslots of the frame may be used to provide coverage to different cells in different time periods. The flexible coverage areas may be provided using changes in satellite position, antenna patterns, or beam resource allocations.