Architecture is described for implementing digital signal processors, defined by a plurality of physically distinct processing modules connected by high speed digital interconnections in which a first plurality of first modules have a plurality of analogue or digital signal inputs and arranged to perform a first set of digital processing functions and produce a first plurality of digital interconnection outputs, a second plurality of second modules are arranged to receive the first plurality of digital interconnection outputs and perform a second set of digital processing functions and produce a second plurality of digital interconnection outputs, and a third plurality of third modules are arranged to receive the second plurality of digital interconnection outputs and perform a third set of digital processing functions and produce a plurality of analogue or digital signal outputs, wherein the architecture is scalable by selection of the number of first modules, the number of second modules and the number of third modules and the interconnections between them such that the signal processing required of a digital signal processor is achieved through the distribution of the processing over the combination of the selected numbers of first, second and third modules.

Methods and systems for low earth orbit satellite communications, utilizing fractionated satellites and constellations with large baselines. The latter, combined with spatial multiplexing protocols, provides access to user equipment on the ground with much greater spatial resolution than hitherto possible. Methods include overcoming the problem posed by the round-trip delay of satellite links when adaptive, downlink, beamforming is attempted in Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems. Methods include using of uplink and downlink pilot signals which eliminate the need for controlling the physical integrity of the fractionated satellite through an electromechanical servo-control system in space.

Satellite communications systems, methods, and related devices are described. In one embodiment, a satellite communications system is configured to dynamically allocate bandwidth among different downlink beams. The satellite may receive and compile traffic measurements and terminal parameters. The satellite may be configured with different downlink beam coverage areas, and may dynamically allocate downlink bandwidth and particular frequency channels to different beam coverage areas based on the measurements and parameters. The satellite may also assign frequency channels and time slots based on such measurements and parameters.

Systems and methods are described for scintillation mitigation in satellite communications systems with geographically distributed access nodes. Some embodiments operate in context of a bent-pipe satellite that illuminates user and gateway coverage areas with fixed spot beams. Beamforming can be used, along with coordinated, phase-synchronized communication by the distributed access nodes, to generate signals that coherently combine via the satellite. Scintillation and/or other atmospheric irregularities can degrade phase synchronization at the access nodes. Accordingly, embodiments can monitor phase tracking performance of the access nodes to detect when a phase tracking error occurs in at least one of the access nodes. In response to detecting the phase tracking error, embodiments can inhibit transmitting of forward uplink data signals by at least that access node.

An antenna communication architecture and a method for simultaneous optimal tracking of multiple broadband satellite terminals in support of in theatre operations and rapid deployment applications, and methods in relation therewith. This communication architecture is especially suitable for implementation as a hosted payload configuration on a host spacecraft.

A system for interference suppression onboard a satellite includes a beamforming module that processes radio-frequency (RF) signals originated from a plurality of antenna elements of an array antenna to generate multiple analog signals. At least one of the analog signals is an anti-interference signal. Analog-to-digital converters convert the analog signals to a number of digital signals. A processing module processes the digital signals to generate a phase and amplitude control signal. A summation module generates one or more composite signals with reduced interference.

Systems and methods are described for robust scheduling of beam switching patterns in satellite communications systems. Embodiments operate in context of a hub-spoke satellite communications architecture having a number of gateway terminals servicing large numbers of user terminals over a number of spot beams. The satellite includes switching subsystems that distribute capacity to the user beams from multiple of the gateway terminals in a shared manner according to a beam group switching pattern. The beam group switching pattern is robustly formulated to continue distributing capacity during gateway outages (e.g., when one or two gateway terminals are temporarily non-operational due to rain fade, equipment failure, etc.). For example, the beam group switching pattern can be formulated to minimize worst-case degradation of capacity across user beams, to prioritize certain beams or beam groups, etc.

A beam layout is optimised for a given traffic distribution and network state by determining optimum beam centre positions and generating a beam layout so as to meet system requirements and minimise the distances of locations within a coverage area from the optimum beam centre positions. Adjacent beams in low traffic areas may be merged.

Multibeam coverage for a high altitude platform (“HAP”) is disclosed. An example method to provision a HAP includes determining an altitude range at which the HAP will operate and determining a minimum elevation angle from the ground to the HAP. The method also includes determining a coverage area of the HAP based on the altitude range and the minimum elevation angle and partitioning the coverage area into substantially equal-sized cells. The method further includes assigning an antenna to each of the cells and determining a beamwidth and an elevation angle for each antenna to provide communication coverage to the corresponding cell. The method moreover includes determining an aperture for each of the antennas based on the beamwidth and the elevation angle to provide the substantially equal-sized cells.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for processing a digital bit stream representative of a communication signal are provided. The method can include dividing, at one or more processors, the digital bit stream into a plurality of data packets, each having an overlap of data from an adjacent packet. The method can include performing a timing recovery operation and a carrier recovery operation on portions of the plurality of data packets in multiple processing blocks in the processor, in parallel. The method can include combining the first plurality and the second plurality based on timing and phase stitching.