The present invention relates to satellite systems and more particularly, to the provision of novel systems and methods for verifying the in-orbit performance and operation of satellite communications subsystems. In contrast to traditional Payload IOT (in-orbit test), the invention operates without an uplink signal, by generating hardware-specific signatures using isolated, internally generated, thermal noise. It has been found that this noise provides a very stable, repeatable signal for testing. Prior to launch, a repeater command sequence is executed to generate a hardware-specific signature based on the internally-generated noise. The same repealer command sequence is then executed in-orbit to determine whether the hardware-specific signature has changed. The two signatures may be recorded and compared using a simple tool such as a spectrum analyzer. The methods also include novel use of the sun as a test signal source to calibrate equipment, to quantify atmospheric effects and to be used as an intermediate reference power level during measurements.

A cloud computing system includes: a geostationary satellite having a computer and a cloud data center mounted thereon; a low earth orbiting satellite constellation including a plurality of communication satellites; and a ground data center deployed on the ground. In the low earth orbiting satellite constellation, an annular communication network is formed by the ability of each communication satellite of a plurality of communication satellites that fly on the same orbital plane to communicate with front and rear communication satellites in the forwarding direction, and a mesh communication network, in which adjacent annular communication networks are communicably connected with each other, is formed by the ability of the plurality of communication satellites that fly on the same orbital plane to communicate with communication satellites flying in adjacent orbits.

A very small aperture terminal (VSAT) installation tool is provided having the ability to measure cable loss along an interfacility link (IFL) between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit of the VSAT. Radio frequency (RF) signals can be transmitted from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit, where the RF signals are intercepted along the IFL prior to reaching the outdoor unit, and the output power is determined. The determined output power is compared to an expected output power at the indoor unit. The delta between the determined output power and the expected output power can be used to adjust the power of the indoor unit such that the outdoor unit can operate without reaching its compression point.

A very small aperture terminal (VSAT) installation tool is provided having the ability to measure cable loss along an interfacility link (IFL) between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit of the VSAT. Radio frequency (RF) signals can be transmitted from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit, where the RF signals are intercepted along the IFL prior to reaching the outdoor unit, and the output power is determined. The determined output power is compared to an expected output power at the indoor unit. The delta between the determined output power and the expected output power can be used to adjust the power of the indoor unit such that the outdoor unit can operate without reaching its compression point. The determined output power can be extrapolated based upon measured of the output power performed over a range of frequencies at which the indoor unit operates.

A method is provided that can include designating as a control node, a first communication node of a plurality of communication nodes associated with a satellite communications system. The method can include, designating as a listening node, a second communication node of the plurality of communication nodes. The listening node is responsive to instructions provided by the control node. The method includes receiving, at a tuning module, one or more input tuning factors, wherein the one or more input tuning factors can include at least a resource burden factor. Responsive to receiving the one or more input tuning factors, the method includes adjusting by the tuning module, one or more tunable output parameters. The method includes sending, from the control node to the listening node, instructions comprising one or more of the tunable output parameters, and executing the instructions at the listening node.

An apparatus and method for combining signals received from a direct broadcast satellite system with signals received from a wireless network, includes a satellite antenna for receiving the signals from the direct broadcast satellite system; and a wireless network antenna, co-located with the satellite antenna, for receiving the signals from the wireless network. The wireless network antenna includes an antenna assembly that is rotated by a controller based on characteristics of the signals received from the wireless network. The controller energizes and de-energizes a motor to mechanically rotate the antenna assembly to properly align the wireless network antenna to communicate with the wireless network. The wireless network antenna comprises a closed cylinder, wherein the antenna assembly is rotatably mounted within the closed cylinder, such that, upon command from the controller, the motor engages the antenna assembly to mechanically rotate the antenna assembly about a central axis of the closed cylinder.

Systems and methods for communication include: a user equipment UE; a first satellite having a first orbit defined by a first radius; a plurality of second satellites each having a second orbit, each second orbit defined by a second radius, wherein each second radius is less than the first radius; and a terrestrially located core network element, the first satellite adapted to send a setup request to the terrestrially located core network element and configure a sequence of second satellites of the plurality of second satellites according to a coverage area, wherein the sequence of second satellites is adapted to provide a first user data connection between the UE and the terrestrially located core network element, and wherein the first satellite is further adapted to iteratively update the sequence of second satellites based on a changing coverage area.

A system comprising an accelerator including a first physical port couplable to a first module and a second physical port configured to communicate with a wide-area network. The accelerator is programmed to receive outbound data from user devices via the first module, and route the outbound data to either the first physical port or the second physical port. The first module is a separate unit from the accelerator. The first module includes an indoor unit configured for satellite internet.

Methods, systems, and devices for satellite operations are described. A system for satellite communications may include a payload, a power system, and a thermal management component. The payload may be configured to provide a service with varying levels of capacity based on a demand profile. The payload may consume electrical energy at a peak rate when a level of demand indicated by the demand profile is above a threshold and at a lower, off-peak rate when a level of demand indicated by the demand profile is below a threshold. The peak rate may exceed a rate at which electrical energy is generated by the power system. The thermal management component may process excess thermal energy generated by the payload when the payload operates at the peak rate. Processing the excess thermal energy may include storing thermal energy while the payload operates at the peak rate.