RU2810128C1 - Methods for switching between operating modes of beam forming systems and satellites - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: satellite communications.

SUBSTANCE: communication satellite can operate in accordance with the first operating mode for providing communication services for user terminals in a first coverage area (for example, providing user terminals with direct channel of communication services using a first communication channel with a first polarization) and receive suitably polarized forward uplink signals from access node terminals in the second coverage area, wherein the communications satellite may relay corresponding forward downlink signals to user terminals in the first coverage area. In some cases, the first coverage area may geographically overlap the second coverage area. The communications satellite may determine a second operating mode (e.g. optimize communications services based on dynamic conditions) and switch to the second operating mode to provide communications services to user terminals.

EFFECT: providing flexible and dynamic distribution of communication resources between different service coverage areas, for example, to move higher capacity services to different coverage areas based on dynamically changing conditions.

26 cl, 35 dwg

Description

Wireless communications systems, such as satellite communications systems, provide a means by which information, including audio, video, and various other types of data, can be transmitted from one location to another using a communications satellite. Communications satellites typically contain one or more antenna nodes for communicating with various terrestrial target devices, which may include ground access node terminals or user terminals, any of which may be stationary (e.g., installed in a fixed installation location, moved from one fixed place of installation to another, etc.) or mobile (for example, installed on a vehicle, ship, aircraft, be portable, etc.). A communications satellite antenna assembly may be configured to transmit downlink signals (eg, forward link signals to user terminals and reverse link signals to access nodes) and/or receive uplink signals (eg, forward link signals from nodes). access and reverse channel signals from user terminals). An antenna node may be associated with a service coverage area within which communication services can be provided to devices via the antenna node. In some cases, the communications satellite may be a geostationary satellite, in which case the communications satellite's orbit may be synchronized with the rotation of the Earth to maintain its service coverage substantially stationary with respect to the Earth. In other cases, the communications satellite may use a different orbit (eg, around the Earth), which causes the service coverage area above the Earth's surface to move as the communications satellite intersects its orbital path.

Some communications satellites can place spot beam coverage areas at fixed locations. However, these communications satellites may not be able to move the spot beams according to changes to the service coverage area. In addition, such satellite communications architectures essentially provide evenly distributed capacity throughout the service coverage area. The throughput per spot beam, for example, is closely tied to the dedicated throughput per spot beam, which can be set for each spot beam and therefore allows for little flexibility or configurability.

While these satellite communications architectures may be useful when the required service coverage area is well known and the bandwidth demand is evenly distributed across the service coverage area, the lack of flexibility of the above architectures may be limiting for some use cases. For example, a communications satellite may be retargeted or deployment conditions (eg, orbital position, etc.) may be changed. In addition, satellite communication services can track changes in user requirements (eg, fixed and mobile users, etc.). Although signal processing techniques such as beamforming may provide some ability to adapt the location of spot beams or service coverage areas, additional flexibility in adapting the service coverage area and location of the spot beam may be required. For example, it may be desirable for a satellite communications system, and thus a communications satellite, to flexibly and dynamically adjust the locations and sizes of service coverage areas based on factors such as the locations of user terminals and access node terminals, the spatial distribution of communication service capacity, and the distribution of service capacity communications. In addition, it may be desirable for a satellite communications system, and thus a communications satellite, to flexibly and dynamically allocate communication resources among different service coverage areas, for example, to move higher capacity services to different coverage areas based on dynamically changing conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Methods, systems and devices for switching between operating modes of beamforming systems and satellites are described.

A communications satellite antenna assembly may include a set of antennas that can be used by the communications satellite to provide communications services to devices within its coverage area. In some cases, a communications satellite may designate each of its antennas to a corresponding coverage area so that the communications satellite can transmit and receive signals to devices within the coverage area using a communications link between each antenna and the respective coverage areas. In many cases, the conditions and requests associated with each of the various coverage areas may change over time. Accordingly, a communications satellite may be configured with a variety of different operating modes that may provide communications services differently for each coverage area. For example, the first mode of operation may provide forward link and reverse link (or uplink and downlink) communication services for user terminals in the same coverage area, while the second mode of operation may provide only forward link communication service (or downlink) but may provide forward link services to user terminals in multiple coverage areas. Moreover, in some cases, the first coverage area and the second coverage area may at least overlap. To differentiate between communication channels, for example, a forward downlink for a first coverage area and a separate forward downlink for a second coverage area, the communications satellite may communicate with user terminals of the respective coverage areas using different antenna polarizations (for example, orthogonal linear polarizations , orthogonal circular polarizations such as right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) and left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) or other similar polarization methods).

Accordingly, in an example, the communications satellite may operate in accordance with the first mode of operation to provide communications services to user terminals in a first coverage area, but not to user terminals in a second coverage area. In accordance with the first mode of operation, the communications satellite may provide forward link communication services to user terminals in a first coverage area over a first communications channel using a first polarization. In some cases, in accordance with the first mode of operation, the communications satellite may also provide reverse link communication services to user terminals in the first coverage area over an additional communication channel, for example, using a second polarization (eg, orthogonal to the first polarization).

In this example, the communications satellite may determine (eg, in accordance with a command received from the controller) a second operating mode (eg, among multiple operating modes), which may be different from the first operating mode. For example, a communications satellite may switch to an operating mode that provides communications services to different sets of user terminals (eg, user terminals only in a second coverage area or in addition to user terminals in a first coverage area). In an additional or alternative embodiment, the communications satellite may determine a second mode of operation, for example, to provide a specific allocation of resources between user terminals of the first and second coverage areas and/or based on technical characteristics associated with the communication channels.

Further scope of application of the described methods and devices will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, claims and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are provided solely by way of illustration, as various changes and modifications within the scope of the description will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF GRAPHIC MATERIALS

To further understand the nature and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention, reference may be made to the following drawings. In the accompanying graphics, similar components or elements may have the same reference numbers. In addition, a distinction can be made between different components of the same type by placing a dash after the reference position and a second position that distinguishes similar components. If only the first reference numeral is used in the description, the description applies to any of the like components having the same first reference numeral regardless of the second reference numeral.

In FIG. 1 illustrates a satellite communications system that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

In FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary loop structure that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

In FIG. 3 illustrates a table of operating modes that support switching between operating modes of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

In FIG. 4-10 illustrate satellite communications system configurations that support switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

In FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a flow that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

In FIG. 12-31 illustrate satellite communications system configurations that support switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

In FIG. 32-33 illustrate an exemplary circuit architecture that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

In FIG. 34 illustrates a block diagram of a communications satellite that supports mode switching between beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

In FIG. 35 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The features described generally relate to methods for switching between modes of operation in satellite communications systems and other beamforming systems. A communications satellite in a satellite communications system may be configured to provide communication services between terrestrial target devices (e.g., terminals), which may be stationary (e.g., installed in a permanent installation location, moved from one fixed installation location to another, etc. ) or mobile (for example, installed on a vehicle, ship, aircraft, be portable, etc.). Communication services may include, for example, bidirectional network access services between devices such as access node terminals and user terminals. In some examples, to provide communication services, one or more antenna nodes of a communications satellite may be configured to transmit data on a downlink (for example, to user terminals and/or access node terminals), receive data on an uplink (for example, from user terminals and/or access node terminals) or simultaneously transmitting data on a downlink and receiving data on an uplink (for example, functions as a repeater).

In some examples, a communications satellite antenna assembly may comprise a feed array antenna assembly, such as a phased array of feed antenna elements, that can be used to target spot beamforming to desired spot beam coverage areas (e.g., cells) within a given geographic area of system coverage ( e.g. North America). Spot beams produced by beamforming may be formed from transmitted data and/or received data through a plurality of antenna feed elements, using the phase and amplitude characteristics of the transmitted data and/or received data to provide transmission and reception associated with each of the spot beams. nodes obtained using beamforming. In some examples, a communications satellite may use beamforming to electronically steer an array of antenna elements of one or more antennas of an antenna assembly. In some examples, a communications satellite may use an end-to-end beamforming system to form end-to-end beams through end-to-end relay, wherein signals in the end-to-end beams may be transmitted and received at multiple access node terminals to communicate with a large number of user terminals.

Accordingly, to provide communications services using end-to-end beamforming, one or more antenna nodes of a communications satellite may be configured to receive forward link data (eg, uplink signals from user terminals and/or access node terminals) and relay forward link data communications (eg, corresponding to downlink signals to user terminals and/or access node terminals). Likewise, for end-to-end beamforming services, one or more antenna nodes of a communications satellite may also be configured to receive reverse link data (eg, reverse uplink signals from user terminals and/or access node terminals) and relay reverse link data ( for example, corresponding to reverse downlink signals to user terminals and/or access node terminals).

Access node terminals and user terminals may be distributed among one or more coverage areas. In one example, an antenna node may include three antennas (eg, three antennas designated herein as R1, R2, and R3) that a communications satellite may use to provide communications services to devices (eg, access node terminals and user terminals) located in within one or more respective coverage areas (eg, one of three coverage areas) through signals transmitted through respective communication channels associated with each of the antennas. Each of the antennas may be, for example, a direct radiating array (DRA) of irradiating elements or may contain a reflector to reflect signal energy to the irradiating array.

In some cases, each of the antennas may be associated with a corresponding coverage area so that a communications satellite can transmit and receive signals to devices within the coverage areas using one of the antennas. For example, a communications satellite may transmit signals through a first antenna to provide communication services to devices (eg, user terminals) located in a first coverage area using a first communication channel, wherein transmitting signals using the first communication channel may include transmitting forward downlink signals to devices and receiving reverse uplink signals from devices. In addition, the communications satellite may transmit signals through a second antenna to provide communication services to devices (eg, user terminals) located in the second coverage area using a second communication channel, wherein transmitting signals using the second communication channel may include transmitting forward downlink signals communication to devices and receiving reverse uplink signals from devices. In addition, the communications satellite may transmit signals through a third antenna to provide communications services to devices (eg, access node terminals) located in the third coverage area using a third communication channel, wherein transmitting signals using the first communication channel may include receiving direct uplink signals. communication channel from devices and transmission of reverse downlink communication signals to devices.

In some cases, conditions (eg, physical network location conditions, environmental conditions associated with interference, etc.) and requests (eg, from user terminals) associated with the transmission of data from each of the different coverage areas may change over time. In accordance with the methods described herein, a communications satellite may be configured with a variety of different operating modes with varying characteristics that may provide respective advantages and disadvantages over other modes. For example, one mode of operation may provide forward link and reverse link (or uplink and downlink) communication services to user terminals in the same coverage area, while another mode of operation may provide only forward link communication service (or downlink) but may provide forward link services to user terminals in multiple coverage areas. In an additional or alternative embodiment, some operating modes may provide greater throughput for some coverage areas, while other operating modes, for example, may provide greater reliability. By selecting different of these operating modes for different situations, the methods described herein can enable a communications satellite to dynamically and flexibly adapt its operation to more efficiently provide communications services based on dynamic (eg, rapid) changing conditions and demands. Thus, a communication satellite can provide service in one aggregated area of multiple coverage areas according to a combination of modes, wherein the pattern of modes can be repeated periodically or changed dynamically.

Moreover, in some cases, the first coverage area and the second coverage area may at least overlap. To differentiate between signals carried on communication channels, such as a forward downlink for a first coverage area and a separate forward downlink for a second coverage area, the communications satellite may communicate with user terminals of the respective coverage areas using different antenna polarizations (eg , different states of polarization). For example, a communications satellite may transmit data on one communication channel using a first polarization and on another communication channel using a second polarization, which may be orthogonal to the first polarization (eg, orthogonal linear polarizations, orthogonal circular polarizations, such as right-handed circular polarization (RHCP) ) and left-handed circular polarization (LHCP) or other similar polarization methods). Different modes of operation may also involve the use of different polarizations for different respective combinations of communication channels.

In accordance with these techniques described herein, the communications satellite may operate in accordance with a first mode of operation and after a period of time (e.g., the number of time slots and/or cycles of a configured frame structure) has elapsed, the communications satellite may operate in accordance with a second mode of operation (eg, which may or may not be different from the first operating mode). For example, a controller for a communications satellite (e.g., which may be on board the communications satellite or on Earth providing commands to the communications satellite via a control channel) may determine switching to a second mode of operation to provide communications services via the communications satellite to different sets of user terminals (eg, user terminals only in the second coverage area or additionally user terminals in the first coverage area). In an additional or alternative embodiment, the second mode of operation may provide a specific allocation of resources between user terminals of the first and second coverage areas (eg, to provide more capacity to user terminals of one coverage area compared to another). In an additional or alternative embodiment, the second operating mode may be selected based on the technical characteristics associated with the communication channels (e.g., the operating mode may be selected such that it may increase throughput while introducing interference that may degrade signal quality (or vice versa )).

In some cases, the communications satellite may operate in accordance with one mode of operation for a period of time, for example, in accordance with a configured pattern or the number of time slots or cycles of a configured frame structure. In some examples, the communications satellite may determine (eg, in accordance with a command received from the controller) the number of time slots during which to operate in accordance with a given cycle structure, for example, in accordance with any of the considerations described herein. In other examples, the communications satellite may define a sequence including multiple modes of operation and corresponding durations of groups of time slots for each of the modes of operation in the sequence. In some cases, the sequence may be configured or pre-configured to provide communication services in accordance with certain known conditions and/or the sequence may be indicated to the communication satellite in control signals.

In some cases, the controller may determine a dynamic switching event to switch operating modes and may accordingly determine the occurrence of a dynamic switching event. For example, the controller may determine that a technical characteristic, such as a particular signal quality indicator (eg, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio; SINR), effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP), etc.) satisfies the appropriate threshold to perform such a switch. In some cases, different thresholds corresponding to different signal quality metrics may be configured or preconfigured, may be indicated to the communication satellite (eg, via control signals), or the controller may determine thresholds in accordance with other situational factors (eg, based on factors such as time of day, user request or can be determined according to a formula, etc.). For example, the controller may determine that the signal quality has fallen below a desired target signal quality and the controller may accordingly switch the communications satellite to a second mode of operation, for example, to provide communications services with higher signal quality but a lower maximum value for throughput. .

According to the methods described in the present invention, the communication satellite can operate in accordance with different operating modes for different situations in accordance with the respective characteristics of the situations. For example, some operating modes may provide relatively higher channel capacity for a certain coverage area and therefore may be used to provide relatively higher capacity within that coverage area in some situations. In other situations, it may be necessary to provide lower capacity with higher channel spacing between different coverage areas and/or simultaneously provide communications services to more or fewer coverage areas. Accordingly, the communications satellite may be configured to switch between operating modes, for example, to optimize these characteristics in different situations. In some cases, the controller may determine the timing or frequency of the operating mode switches, as well as the particular operating mode that should be used to maximize throughput for each of the devices in the first coverage area, the second coverage area, and the third coverage area, based on, for example, service request for each of the coverage areas, the power gain (and/or other performance indicators) associated with the antennas corresponding to each of the coverage areas, stationary and/or dynamic interference conditions (e.g., weather and environmental conditions, communications satellite location, and etc.) and other similar methods and factors considered described in this document.

This description provides examples that are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of embodiments of the principles described herein. Rather, the following description will provide those skilled in the art with description to enable embodiments of the principles described herein to be implemented. Various changes in function and arrangement of elements can be made.

Thus, various embodiments may be omitted, replaced, or added with various procedures or components as needed. For example, it should be appreciated that the methods may be performed in a different order than described and that various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Also, aspects and elements described with respect to some embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. It should be appreciated that subsequent systems, methods, devices and software, individually or collectively, may be components of larger systems, and other procedures may take precedence or otherwise modify their use.

In FIG. 1 illustrates a satellite communications system 100 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The satellite communications system 100 may utilize a number of network architectures, including a space segment and a terrestrial segment. The space segment may include one or more communications satellites 105. The ground segment may include one or more user terminals 150, one or more access node terminals 160 (including, for example, gateway terminals or alternatively referred to as “gateways” for simplicity), and one or more network devices 170 (including, for example, network operating centers (network operations centers; NOC) and control centers for satellite and gateway terminals). Network devices 170 may include a controller 175 that can define commands to control satellites 105. In some cases, ground segment devices may be referred to as ground stations. Although only one user terminal 150, one access node terminal 160, etc. are shown for simplicity in the exemplary satellite communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1, there are typically many such devices present in the satellite communications system 100. One or more terminals of the satellite communications system 100 (eg, access node terminals 160) may be connected to each other and/or to one or more networks 180, such as through a mesh network, star network, or the like.

The communications satellite 105 may be any suitable type of communications satellite configured to communicate wirelessly with one or more access node terminals 160 and one or more user terminals 150. In some examples, the communications satellite 105 may be deployed in geostationary orbit such that it the orbital position relative to ground devices was relatively stationary or stationary within a functional tolerance or other orbital window (eg, within an orbital position). In other examples, the communications satellite 105 may operate in any suitable orbit (eg, low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), etc.). In some examples, the communications satellite 105 may have an undefined orbital position, such as in cases in which the communications satellite 105 is developed before the deployment of the orbital position is determined; in cases in which the communications satellite 105 may be deployed to different positions within a range of possible orbital positions (eg, deployed to an orbital position that has a number of orbital positions, to one of a set of different orbital positions, etc.) and/or in range of different orbital trajectories; and/or in cases in which the communications satellite 105 may eventually move after deployment to a predetermined or undesired orbital position and/or orbital path. In various examples, communications satellite 105 may be retargeted (eg, adjusted to a different geostationary orbital position, adjusted to a different LEO or MEO orbital path, etc.). In an additional or alternative embodiment, communications satellite 105 may receive (eg, from controller 175) commands to perform orbit modification or retargeting. Although many examples throughout this specification are described in the context of a satellite, such as satellite communications system 100, such examples are not intended to be limited to satellites. In other implementations, any other suitable wireless device may be used and function in a similar manner.

User terminals 150 may include any number of devices configured to communicate with communications satellites 105, including, for example, fixed terminals (e.g., land-based fixed terminals) and mobile terminals, such as terminals on boats, aircraft, land vehicles, portable terminals, etc. User terminal 150 (or any number of user terminals 150) may transmit data and information via communications satellite 105, which may include communication through one or more access node terminals 160 with a destination device, such as one or more network devices 170, or some other device or a distributed server associated with one or more networks 180. User terminals 150 may transmit signals in accordance with a variety of physical layer transmission modulation and coding techniques, such as those defined by digital video broadcast satellite (DVB-S2), GEO mobile radio ( GMR), Broadband Satellite Multimedia (BSM), Satellite Universal Mobile Service (S-UMTS), Satellite Digital Radio (SDR), and Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS).

User terminal 150 may include a user terminal antenna 152 configured to receive forward downlink signals 117 from communications satellite 105 and/or receive reverse uplink signals 118 to communications satellite 105 . Thus, the user terminal 150 may be configured to communicate unidirectionally and/or bidirectionally with the communications satellite 105 . In some examples, the user terminal antenna 152 may be bidirectional. For example, user terminal antenna 152 may have a peak gain along a major axis (eg, the antenna's boresight), which may be provided by a fixed configuration of focusing and/or reflective elements and/or by electronically configured beamforming.

The user terminal antenna 152 of the user terminal 150 may be part of a user terminal antenna assembly 153, which may also include various hardware for mounting the terminal's satellite antennas. The user terminal antenna assembly 153 may also include circuitry and/or processors for converting (e.g., performing frequency conversion, modulation/demodulation, multiplexing/demultiplexing, filtering, forwarding, etc.) between radio frequency (RF) satellite communications signals (e.g., forward downlink signals 117 and reverse uplink signals 118) and user terminal communications signals 157 transmitted between the user terminal antenna 152 and the user terminal receiver 158 of said user terminal 150. Such circuits, processors and/or other components may be included in antenna communication node, which may also be called an integrated transmit and receive assembly (TRIA).

In an additional or alternative embodiment, the user terminal receiver 158 may include circuits and/or processors for performing various operations on RF, intermediate frequency (IF) and/or low frequency signals (e.g., receiving, performing frequency conversion, modulation/demodulation, multiplexing/demultiplexing etc.). The user terminal antenna assembly 153 may also be known as a satellite outdoor unit (ODU), and the user terminal receiver 158 may also be known as a satellite indoor unit (IDU). In some examples, the user terminal antenna 152 and the user terminal receiver 158 (eg, jointly) of the user terminal 150 may be a very small aperture terminal (VSAT), in which, for example, the user terminal antenna 152 may be approximately 0.6 m in diameter and can communicate using approximately 2 watts (W) of power. In other embodiments, a variety of other types of user terminal antennas 152 may be used in the user terminal 150 to transmit forward downlink signals 117 and reverse uplink signals 118 via communications satellite 105 . In some cases, each of the user terminals 150 in coverage area 115 may be a single user terminal or, alternatively, may be a hub or router (not shown) that is coupled to a plurality of user terminals 150.

User terminal 150 may be connected to customer equipment (CPE) 190 (or multiple CPEs 190) via a wired or wireless connection 191, where user terminal 150 may provide network access services (eg, Internet access, etc.) and/or or other communications services (eg, broadcast media, etc.) to the CPE 190 via the satellite communications system 100 . CPE 190 may include user devices such as, but not limited to, computers, local area networks, Internet devices, wireless networks, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), other portable devices, netbooks, notebooks, tablet computers, laptops , display devices (such as televisions, computer monitors, etc.), printers, etc. The CPE 190 may also include any equipment located on the subscriber premises, including routers, firewalls, switches, PBXs, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) gateways, and the like. In some examples, user terminal 150 may provide two-way communication between CPE 190 and network(s) 180 via communications satellite 105 and access node terminal(s) 160.

In some examples, communications satellite 105 may include an antenna assembly 106, which may be a phased array antenna assembly, a phased array fed reflector (PAFR) antenna, or any other mechanism used to transmit and/or receive signals. communication services. Alternatively, communications satellites 105 may use on-board beamforming (OBBF) to electronically steer an array of antenna elements, such as a phased array multi-feed per beam communications satellite 105. MFPB) with OBBF option. In other examples, the satellite communications system 100 may use end-to-end beamforming to form end-to-end beams through end-to-end relay (e.g., communications satellite 105), wherein signals in the end-to-end beams may be transmitted and received at multiple access node terminals 160 to communicate with a large number of user terminals 150 .

As shown in the exemplary satellite communication system 100 in FIG. 1, antenna node 106 includes three antennas (eg, reflector antennas) for providing communication services for respective coverage areas via signals transmitted via respective beams (eg, communication links as commonly referred to herein). For example, the communications satellite 105 may transmit signals through a first antenna 110 that may cover a first coverage area 115, a second antenna 120 that may cover a second coverage area (not shown), and a third antenna 130 that may cover a third coverage area 135. The communications satellite 105 may provide communications services to devices located in the first coverage area 115 using a first communications channel 116 (e.g., to one or more user terminals 150), wherein signals transmitted using the first communications channel 116 may include forward downlink signals 117 communication channel transmitted to devices in the first coverage area 115, and reverse uplink signals 118 received from devices in the first coverage area 115. In addition, the communications satellite 105 may transmit signals through the second antenna 120 to provide communications services to devices located in the second coverage area using a second communication channel (not shown) (for example, to one or more user terminals 150), wherein the signals transmitted using the second communication channel may include forward downlink signals transmitted to devices in the second coverage area and reverse uplink signals received from devices in the second coverage area. Similarly, communications satellite 105 may transmit signals through a third antenna 130 to provide communications services to devices located in a third coverage area 135 using a third communications channel 136 (e.g., to one or more access node terminals 160), wherein the signals transmitted using the third communication channel 136 may include forward uplink signals 137 received from devices in the third coverage area 135 and reverse downlink signals 138 transmitted to devices in the third coverage area 135 .

A satellite's coverage area can be broadly defined as the area from and/or into which either a terrestrial transmission source or a terrestrial receiver, such as an earth-based ground station or user terminal 150, can transmit data via the communications satellite 105. In some satellite communication systems 100, the coverage areas for each respective communication channel (eg, forward uplink coverage, forward downlink coverage, reverse uplink coverage, and reverse downlink coverage) may be different from each other.

While satellite coverage may only be active for a communications satellite 105 that is in service (eg, in a service orbit), the communications satellite 105 may be considered to have a satellite antenna pattern that is independent of the relative location of the satellite relative to the Earth. That is, the satellite antenna pattern is a distribution pattern of energy transmitted from the satellite antenna, for example, either transmitted from or received by the satellite antenna (for example, through each of the reflectors of the communications satellite 105, with reference to FIG. 1). A satellite antenna may radiate to (ie, transmit to and/or receive from) a specific coverage area in accordance with the satellite antenna's radiation pattern, for example, when the satellite is in a service orbit. A satellite's coverage area may be determined by the satellite's antenna pattern, the orbital position and attitude for which the satellite is designed, a given antenna gain threshold, and/or other parameters. Basically, the intersection of an antenna's radiation pattern (at a particular effective antenna gain, e.g., 3 decibels (dB), 4 dB, 6 dB, 10 dB of peak gain) with a specific physical region of interest (e.g., a region on or near the Earth's surface) determines coverage area for the antenna. Antennas may be designed to provide a specific antenna pattern (and/or coverage area), where, for example, the antenna pattern may be determined computationally (e.g., by analysis or simulation) and/or measured experimentally (e.g., at an antenna test site or in actual use).

As described herein, the first antenna 110 of the communications satellite 105 may provide communication services to user terminals 150 or other devices located within the first coverage area 115. In some cases, the first coverage area 115 may be relatively large, such as covering portions of one or more continents. or up to the entire part of the Earth visible from the corresponding communications satellite 105. A second antenna 120 of the communications satellite 105 may provide communications services to user terminals 150 or other devices located within a second coverage area (not shown). In some cases, the second coverage area may be an area that is smaller than the first coverage area, but which, for example, covers an area of the Earth that has a relatively large demand (eg, a geographic area with a high density of user terminals 150). The third antenna 130 of the communications satellite 105 may provide communications services to access node terminals 160, user terminals 150, and/or other devices located within the third coverage area 135. In some cases, the third coverage area 135 may be an area designed for a relatively large number of terminals 160 access nodes, as further described in this document. In some cases, communications satellite 105 may contain additional antennas (eg, reflectors) that can provide communications service to devices located within additional coverage areas, for which the techniques described herein may be similarly implemented. In an alternative implementation, the antenna assembly 106 of the communications satellite 105 may include only two antennas, and the techniques described herein can be implemented in a similar manner to switch between modes of operation for two antennas.

In some examples, there may be some overlap between different coverage areas. For example, as shown in the exemplary satellite communication system 100 in FIG. 1, the first coverage zone 115 completely overlaps the third coverage zone 135. Likewise, in some examples, the first coverage area 115 may partially or completely overlap a second coverage area (not shown). In some cases, a multi-color radiation pattern may be used (eg, two, three, or four color reusable radiation patterns). In one example of a four-color radiation pattern, the coverage area may be divided into multiple user beam coverage areas, with each user beam coverage area associated with a user beam. Each user beam may be separately assigned a unique combination of frequencies (eg, a frequency band or bands, or one or more channels) and/or antenna polarization (eg, orthogonal linear polarization, RHCP, LHCP, or other similar polarization techniques). Accordingly, these techniques can relatively reduce the amount of mutual interference between signals transmitted on different user beams. These combinations of frequency and antenna polarization can then be reused when repeating the "four-color" reusable radiation pattern, and the coverage areas of the user beams associated with the combination of frequency range and polarization may not overlap. In some situations, the required link capacity can be achieved by using a single color. In some cases, signal separation techniques in time between communication channels and/or interference suppression can be used for similar purposes.

Access node terminal 160 (or any number of access node terminals 160 in third coverage area 135) may transmit forward uplink signals 137 and receive reverse downlink signals 183 from communications satellite 105, respectively, for example, via third antenna 130. Node terminals 160 access stations may also be known as ground stations, gateways, gateway terminals, satellite access nodes, or hubs. The access node terminal 160 may include an access node terminal antenna system 161 and an access node receiver 162 . The access point terminal antenna system 161 may be bi-directional and designed with sufficient transmit power and receive sensitivity to reliably communicate with the communications satellite 105 . In one embodiment, the access point terminal antenna system 161 may include a parabolic reflector with relatively high directivity in the direction of the communications satellite 105 and relatively low directivity in other directions. The access node terminal antenna system 161 may be configured (eg, through one or more configurations) for features such as high isolation between orthogonal polarizations, high efficiency across operating frequency bands, low noise, and the like.

In some cases, the access node terminal 160 may distribute communication traffic to the user terminal 150 or user terminals 150 in the first coverage area 115. Alternatively, other devices of the satellite communications system 100 may perform this distribution (eg, in one or more network devices 170, which may include one or more NOCs and/or one or more gateway control centers, etc.). Although in the exemplary satellite communication system 100 of FIG. 1 shows a single access node terminal 160, alternative embodiments may include any number of access node terminals 160, wherein each access node terminal 160 may be connected to each of the others and/or to a network 180 (or one or more networks 180).

Some satellite communications systems 100 may use and/or have access to a relatively limited amount of available frequency spectrum for data transmission. In some cases, the communication channels between the access node terminals 160 and the communications satellite 105 may use overlapping (e.g., the same), partially overlapping, or non-overlapping (e.g., different) sets of frequency resources for communication signals between the communications satellite 105 and the user terminals 150. In some cases the access node terminals 160 may be located in a coverage area that is at least partially overlapping (or, for example, partially overlapping) with the coverage area for the user terminal 150. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the first coverage area 115 containing user terminals 150 may be completely covered by a third coverage area containing access node terminals 160. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the access node terminals 160 may be located at a distance from the user terminals 150, for example, to facilitate the reuse of the same or partially the same frequency resources for communication with the communications satellite 105.

The access node terminals 160 may provide an interface between the network 180 (or networks 180) and the communications satellite 105. The access node terminals 160 may be configured to receive data and information directed between the network 180 and the user terminals 150 in the first coverage area 115 and may format the data and information to be delivered to the corresponding user terminals 150. Likewise, the access node terminals 160 may be configured to capable of receiving signals from a communications satellite 105 (e.g., from one or more respective user terminals 150) via the communications satellite for the access node terminals 160 to route to a destination accessible, for example, through one or more networks 180. The access node terminals 160 may also format received signals for transmission over the 180 network.

In various implementations, the network(s) 180 may be any type of network and may include, for example, the Internet, an Internet Protocol (IP) network, an intranet, a wide-area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (metropolitan area network; MAN), local area network (LAN), virtual private network (VPN), virtual LAN (virtual LAN; VLAN), fiber-optic network, hybrid fiber-coaxial network, cable network, public switched telephone network (PSTN), public switched data network (PSDN), public landline mobile network, and/or other types of network supporting data transfer between devices, such as described in this document. The network(s) 180 may include wired and/or wireless connections as well as optical links, and may connect the access node terminals 160 in the third coverage area 135 to each other to facilitate data transfer between the access node terminals 160 and the communications satellite 105 .

In some cases, one or more network devices 170 may connect to access node terminals 160 and may control aspects of the satellite communications system 100. In some cases, one or more network devices 170 may be co-located or otherwise placed in relative physical proximity to the access node terminals 160. Alternatively, one or more network devices 170 may be located remotely, for example, communicating with access node terminals 160 and/or network(s) 180 via wired and/or wireless communication links. In some cases, network devices may include a controller 175.

Access node terminals 160 may receive forwarded data from one or more network devices 170 and/or one or more networks 180, modulate the received data (e.g., using a modem), and transmit forward uplink signals 137, including modulated data, to satellite 105 communication using a third communication channel 136 (this may also refer to the use of a feeder channel, a forward feeder uplink, etc.). The communication satellite 105 may relay this forwarded data to the user terminals 150 using the first communication channel 116 (this may also refer to the use of a direct user downlink, a direct service downlink, etc.). In some cases, forward data transmission from the access node terminals 160 is intended for several of the user terminals 150 (eg, the information is multicast to the user terminals 150). In some cases, direct data transmission from access node terminal 160 may be intended for only one user terminal 150 (eg, unicast for a specific user terminal 150) or a subset of user terminals 150 within the first coverage area 115.

User terminals 150 may transmit reverse data to communications satellite 105 on a reverse user uplink (sometimes referred to as a reverse service uplink), for example, via reverse uplink signals 118 using a first communication channel 116 (e.g., covering a first coverage area 115 ). Communications satellite 105 may relay reverse data to access node terminals 160 on a reverse feeder downlink, for example, via reverse downlink signals 138 using a third communications channel 136 . In some cases, a feeder channel modem close to or co-located with one or more access node terminals 160 may demodulate return data, which may then be sent to one or more network devices 170 and/or one or more networks 180. Return Channel Capacity may typically be shared by a group of user terminals 150.

The communications satellite 105 may receive forward uplink signals 137 from one or more access node terminals 160 located in the third coverage area 135 and provide corresponding forward downlink signals 117 to one or more user terminals 150 located in the first coverage area 115. The communications satellite 105 may also receive reverse uplink signals 118 from one or more user terminals 150 located in the first coverage area 115 and forward corresponding reverse downlink signals 138 to one or more access node terminals 160 located in the third coverage area 135 . Communications satellite 105 may use a variety of physical layer transmission modulation and coding techniques to transmit signals between access node terminals 160 and user terminals 150 (eg, adaptive coding and modulation (ACM), etc.).

In some embodiments, the forward uplink signals 137 and the reverse uplink signals 118 may utilize a multi-frequency time-division multiple access (MF-TDMA) scheme to provide efficient streaming of traffic while while maintaining flexibility in allocating capacity among user terminals 150. In these embodiments, a group of frequency channels may be allocated in a fixed manner or, alternatively, may be allocated in a dynamic manner. Each frequency channel can also use a time division multiple access (TDMA) scheme. In this design, each frequency channel can be divided into several time slots, which can be assigned to a connection (eg, a specific user terminal 150). In other embodiments, one or more of the forward uplink signals 137 and the reverse uplink signals 118 may be implemented using other schemes, such as frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (FDMA). orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), or any number of hybrid or other schemes known in the art. In various embodiments, the physical layer techniques may be the same for each of the signals 117, 118, 137 and 138, or some of the signals may use different physical layer techniques from the other signals.

Within these limitations, focusing beams into smaller areas, and therefore increasing the number of beams, can relatively increase the capacity of communications satellite 105, providing greater opportunity for reuse of partially or fully overlapping sets of frequency resources. However, increasing the number of beams can relatively increase the complexity of the satellite communications system 100 and accordingly, in many cases, the complexity of the communications satellite 105.

The complexity of the design of the communications satellite 105 may result in a relatively large size, a relatively large mass, and a relatively large power consumption. Communications satellites 105 may be relatively expensive to launch into orbit, and the cost of launching a communications satellite 105 may be determined, at least in part, by the mass and size of the satellite. In addition, there may be relatively absolute limitations on the mass and size of the communications satellite 105 that can be launched into orbit using available rocket technology. In addition, the amount of power that can be supplied to the components of the communications satellite 105 in orbit may be limited. Therefore, techniques for relative reduction in the mass, size, and/or power consumption of the communications satellite 105 may be desirable.

As described herein, the term “receive antenna element” may refer to a physical transducer that converts an electromagnetic signal into an electrical signal, and the term “transmit antenna element” may refer to a physical transducer that, when driven by an electrical signal, emits an electromagnetic signal. The antenna element may include a horn, a polarized baffled horn (for example, which can function as two combined elements with different polarizations), a multi-band, multi-port horn (for example, a dual-band 20 gigahertz (GHz)/30 GHz dual-polarization LHCP/RHCP), a resonator slot antenna, an F-inverter, a slot waveguide, a planar traveling wave antenna, a helical array antenna, a loop antenna, a microstrip antenna, or any other configuration of an antenna element or combination of interconnected subelements. An antenna element may have an associated antenna radiation pattern, which describes the antenna gain as a function of direction (or angle). An antenna element may also be a coverage area, which corresponds to an area (e.g., a portion of the Earth's surface) or volume (e.g., a portion of the Earth's surface plus airspace above the surface) over which the antenna element provides a required gain level (e.g., within 3 dB, 6 dB, 10 dB or other value relative to the peak gain of the antenna element). The coverage area of the antenna element can be varied by various structures such as a reflector, a frequency selective surface, a lens, a radome, and the like. Some communications satellites 105, including those described herein, may contain multiple transponders, each of which is configured to independently receive and transmit signals. Each repeater is coupled to antenna elements (eg, a receiving element and a transmitting element) to form a transmit/receive signal path that has a radiation pattern (antenna radiation pattern) different from other transmit/receive signal paths to form unique beams that can be distributed to the same or different beam coverage areas. In some cases, one transmit/receive signal path can be shared between beams using input or output multiplexers. In such cases, the number of simultaneous beams that can be formed may typically be limited by the number of transmit/receive signal paths used on the satellite.

Beamforming for a communication channel can be accomplished by adjusting the phase of the signal (or delay time) and sometimes the amplitude of the signal, signals transmitted and/or received by multiple elements of one or more antenna arrays. In some cases, some or all of the antenna elements are arranged in an array composed of receiving and/or transmitting elements that interact to provide end-to-end beamforming, as described below. For transmission (from transmitting elements of one or more antenna arrays), the relative phases, and sometimes amplitudes, of the transmitted signals are adjusted so that the energy transmitted by the transmitting antenna elements is structurally combined at the desired location. This phase/amplitude correction usually refers to the application of "beam weights" or "beam coefficients" to the transmitted signals. For reception (by receiving elements of one or more antenna arrays), the relative phases, and sometimes amplitudes, of the received signals are adjusted (for example, applying the same or different beam weights) so that the energy received from the desired location by the plurality of receiving antenna elements is structurally combined . In some cases, the beamformer can calculate the antenna element beam weights to be applied. The term "beamforming" may refer in some cases to the application of beam weights. The adaptive beamformer includes a function for dynamically calculating beam weights. Calculation of beam weights may require direct or indirect detection of communication channel characteristics. The process of calculating the beam weight and applying the beam weight can be performed by the same or different elements of the system.

With reference to the satellite communication system in FIG. 1, antenna beams (e.g., first link 116, second link (not shown), and third link 136) can be directed, selectively shaped, and/or otherwise reconfigured by applying different beam weights to irradiate (i.e., transmit signals to and/or receive signals from a specific satellite coverage area in accordance with the antenna pattern, for example when the satellite is in a service orbit. For example, the number of active beams, beam coverage, beam sizes, relative beam gains, and other parameters may change over time. Beamforming antennas may typically form relatively narrow beams, where the relatively narrow beams may provide separation of signals transmitted in one beam from signals transmitted in other beams (eg, to avoid interference). Accordingly, narrow beams can promote frequency and polarization reuse to a greater extent than wider beams. For example, beams that are configured as narrow beams can serve two non-contiguous coverage areas that are not overlapping. Beams focused on non-contiguous coverage areas can simultaneously use the same frequency and polarization. Increased reuse can increase the amount of data transmitted and/or received.

Some communications satellites 105 may use OBBF to electronically control an array of antenna elements, such as the MFPB phased array communications satellite 105 with OBBF capability. In this example, beam weights may be calculated at a ground computing center and then transmitted to the communications satellite 105 or pre-stored on the communications satellite 105 for use (eg, by one or more network devices 170 and/or networks 180).

Beamforming (eg, OBBF) may be used on user channels (eg, first communication channel 116 for user terminals 150), feeder channels (eg, third communication channel 136 for access node terminals 160), or both. In some examples, communications satellite 105 may form beams (eg, communication links) simultaneously on a feeder channel and a user channel. In some cases, each of the L receiving array elements of the communications satellite 105 may receive K signals from the K access node terminals 160 (eg, in some cases co-located or not co-located with one or more gateways). For one or more, or each, of the K feeder channel beams to be formed (eg, one beam per gateway), different beam weights (eg, phase/amplitude adjustments are made) may be applied by the receiving beamformer (eg, communications satellite 105 ) for each signal received by each of the L elements of the receiving antenna array of the receiving antenna array. Accordingly, for K beams to be generated using a receive antenna array having L receive antenna elements, K different beam weight vectors of length L may be applied to the L signals received by the L receive antenna array elements. A receive beamformer in communications satellite 105 (eg, included as part of or associated with the interconnect subsystem of communications satellite 105) may adjust the phase/amplitude of signals received by L elements of the receive antenna array to generate K receive beam signals. Each of the K receive beams can be focused to receive a signal from one corresponding gateway. Accordingly, the beamformer may output K receive beam signals, and one such receive beam signal may be generated for a signal received from each transmitting gateway.

In some examples, circuitry of the communications satellite 105 (eg, included as part of or associated with the interconnect subsystem of the communications satellite 105) may downconvert each of the K receive beam signals and adjust the gain accordingly. The K signals may be output signals from a circuit that is coupled to a transmit beamformer (eg, communications satellite 105). The transmit beamformer may apply a vector of weights L to each of the K signals for overall L×K transmit beam weights to form K beams in the user downlink.

In some cases, the relatively significant processing power of the communications satellite 105 may be used to control the phase and gain of each antenna element that can be used to form these beams. Such computing power can increase the complexity of the communications satellite 105. In some cases, communications satellites 105 may operate using ground-based beamforming (GBBF) to reduce satellite complexity while still providing the benefits of electronic narrow beamforming. GBBF can be performed on a direct user link via an L-element array. For GBBF, the phases and/or amplitudes of the signals transmitted on the user link may be weighted to form beams. A feeder link may use a single feed per beam (SFPB) design, in which each receive and transmit antenna element is dedicated to one feeder link beam.

Prior to transmission from one or more gateways for each of the K forward feeder link beams, a transmit beamformer (e.g., associated with, included in, and/or located in close proximity to one or more access node terminals 160) may apply the corresponding of the K weight vectors beams, each of length L, for each of the K signals to be transmitted. Defining K vectors of weights L and applying them to the signals allows K direct beams to be formed on the ground for a direct user downlink. In a feeder uplink, each of the L different signals may be multiplexed into a frequency division multiplexed (FDM) signal by a multiplexer or the like. Each FDM signal may be transmitted by a gateway to one of the receiving antenna elements in the antenna at feeder line. An FDM receiver on communications satellite 105 may receive signals from an antenna (eg, via a third antenna 130). In some cases, circuitry in the communications satellite 105 (e.g., an analog to digital converter (A/D) 326, etc., included as part of or associated with the interconnect subsystem of the communications satellite 105) may convert received analog signals to digital signals. The digital channel processor, for example, may demultiplex FDM signals, each of which may have been suitably weighted by a beamformer for transmission through one of the L array elements of the transmit antenna elements of the transmit antenna. The digital channel processor may output the signals, for example, to a digital to analog converter (D/A) (or other similar circuitry, such as included as part of or associated with the communications satellite 105 interconnect subsystem) for conversion back to analog. form. The analog D/A output signals may be converted and amplified by an up-converter (U/C) and amplification stage (or other similar circuitry, such as included as part of or associated with the communications satellite interconnect subsystem 105) and transmitted to the appropriate element of the transmitting antenna. For return rays, a complementary process can be performed in reverse order. It should be noted that in this type of system, the FDM feeder link may use a factor L times the same capacity as the user beams, and therefore may be relatively less efficient for implementing a practical satellite communications system 100 with wide data bandwidths and/or satellite communication systems 100 that have a large number of elements L.

In some examples, end-to-end beamforming systems may be used to form end-to-end beams through an end-to-end repeater (eg, included as part of or associated with the interconnect subsystem of communications satellite 105). The end-to-end beamforming system may connect user terminals 150 to data sources/consumers, where the beam weights may be calculated in a central processing system (CPS) and the end-to-end beam weights may be applied to the terrestrial network (instead of the communications satellite 105). Signals on end-to-end beams may be transmitted and received on an array of terminal access nodes 160, which may, in some cases, be called satellite access nodes (SANs). As described above, any suitable type of end-to-end relay can be used in an end-to-end beamforming system, and different types of access node terminals 160 can be used to communicate with different types of end-to-end relays. The term "central" refers to the fact that the CPS is accessible to the access node terminals 160 that are used in transmitting and/or receiving the signal, and does not refer to the specific geographic location in which the CPS is located. A beamformer in a CPS (or a plurality of beamformers in one or more CPSs) may compute a set of end-to-end beam weights that take into account: (1) the upstream paths of the wireless signal to the end-to-end repeater; (2) signal reception/transmission paths through an end-to-end repeater; and (3) downstream wireless signal paths from the end-to-end repeater. Beam weights can be represented mathematically as a matrix. As similarly discussed herein, OBBF and GBBF satellite communications systems 100 may have beam weight vector sizes determined by the number of antenna elements on the communications satellite 105 . On the other hand, the end-to-end beam weight vectors may be sized by the number of access node terminals 160 rather than the number of elements on the end-to-end relay. In some examples, the number of access node terminals 160 may not be the same as the number of antenna elements on the end-to-end repeater. In addition, the generated end-to-end beams may not terminate at either the transmit or receive antenna elements of the end-to-end repeater. In contrast, the formed end-to-end beams can be efficiently relayed because the end-to-end beams have upstream signal paths, relay signal paths (via satellite or other suitable end-to-end relay) and downstream signal paths.

Since end-to-end beamforming can be considered for the user link and feeder link (as well as the end-to-end repeater), one set of beam weights can be used to form end-to-end user beams for a particular direction (eg, forward user beams or return user beams). Thus, one set of end-to-end beam weights (which may be referred to as forward beam weights for simplicity) may result in signaling from access node terminals 160 via a forward uplink, through an end-to-end relay (eg, communications satellite 105), and through a forward downlink. for combining to form end-to-end forward user beams (hereinafter referred to as forward user beams). In turn, the signals transmitted back from users through the reverse uplink, through the end-to-end relay (for example, on the communication satellite 105) and the reverse downlink have return end-to-end beam weights (hereinafter referred to as return beam weights) used to generate end-to-end beams. return user beams (hereinafter referred to as return user beams).

In some examples, access node terminals 160 may cooperate in transmitting forward uplink signals to form user beams and receiving reverse downlink signals, which can be processed together to recover reverse uplink transmissions. A plurality of access node terminals 160 that reside within a discrete area (e.g., within an antenna coverage area) and cooperate to perform end-to-end beamforming for forward and/or return user beams are referred to herein as an “access node cluster” (e.g., in within the third coverage zone 135). In some examples, multiple clusters of access nodes in different zones may also communicate. In some cases, clusters of access nodes are called "SAN farms." In some cases, access node terminals 160 and user terminals 150 may be collectively referred to as terrestrial receivers, terrestrial transmitters, or terrestrial transceivers, depending on the specific functional application, as they are located on or near the Earth and simultaneously transmit and receive signals. In some cases, the access node terminals 150 and terminals 160 may be mounted on an air, water or land vehicle, or be portable or the like. In some cases, user terminals 150 and/or access node terminals 160 may be geographically distributed. In some cases, the access node terminals 160 may communicate with the CPS within the ground segment, for example, through a distribution network. In some examples, user terminals 150 may be grouped with other nearby user terminals 150 (eg, in respective coverage areas within coverage area 115). In some cases, such groups of user terminals 150 may be served over the same communication channel and therefore remain within the coverage area of the same beam.

An end-to-end relay (eg, included as part of or associated with the interconnect subsystem of communications satellite 105) may, for example, relay signals wirelessly between user terminals 150 and a group of access node terminals 160. An end-to-end repeater may include multiple signal paths. Each signal path may include, for example, at least one receive antenna element, at least one transmit antenna element, and at least one repeater. In some cases, the receiving antenna elements may be configured to receive signals reflected by the receiving reflector to form a receiving antenna array. In some cases, the transmit antenna elements may be configured to transmit signals and thus form a transmit antenna array.

In some examples, an end-to-end relay may be implemented on communications satellite 105. In other examples, the end-to-end relay may be implemented on an aircraft, balloon, tower, underwater structure, or any suitable structure or vehicle on which the end-to-end relay can be located. In some cases, the communications antenna system 100 may use different frequency bands (in the same or different frequency bands) for uplinks and downlinks. In some cases, feeder lines and user lines may be in different frequency ranges (same or different frequency bands). In some cases, an end-to-end repeater can function as a passive or active reflector.

In some examples, an end-to-end repeater may comprise multiple repeaters that, in the context of end-to-end beamforming systems, cause multipath propagation between access node terminals 160 and user terminals 150. Another feature is that antennas (e.g., one or more antenna subsystems) of the end-to-end repeater may contribute into end-to-end beamforming such that forward and/or return user beams are formed when suitably weighted beam signals are transmitted via multipath propagation caused by the end-to-end repeater. For example, during forward communication, each of a plurality of repeaters may receive a corresponding combined (beam-weighted) combination of forward uplink signals from a plurality of (eg, all) access node terminals 160 (which may in some cases be referred to as combined input forward signals), and repeaters may output corresponding combined signals (which in some cases may be called forward downlink signals). Each of the forward downlink signals may be a unique combination of beam-weighted downlink signals which, when transmitted by the end-to-end repeater transmit antenna elements, can be combined to form user beams at desired locations. Reverse end-to-end beamforming can be implemented in a similar manner.

In some cases, the conditions and/or requests associated with the provision of communication services to devices in each of the various coverage areas may change over time. In accordance with the methods described herein, a communications satellite may be configured with a variety of different operating modes that can provide communication services to coverage areas, for example, each with different characteristics that may provide respective advantages and disadvantages compared to other modes. For example, one mode of operation may provide forward link and reverse link (or uplink and downlink) communication services to user terminals in the same coverage area, while another mode of operation may provide only forward link communication service (or downlink) but may provide forward link services to user terminals in multiple coverage areas. In an additional or alternative embodiment, some operating modes may provide greater throughput for some coverage areas, while other operating modes, for example, may provide greater reliability. By selecting different of these operating modes for different situations, the methods described herein can enable a communications satellite to dynamically and flexibly adapt its operation to more efficiently provide communications services by switching between different operating modes based on dynamic changes in conditions and demands.

In FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary loop structure 200 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In the exemplary loop structure 200 of FIG. 2 illustrates a group of frames 205, with each frame 205 comprising a group of time slots 210 defined by a number of Qs. As described herein, the communications satellite may switch between different modes of operation. In some cases, the minimum interval during which a communications satellite can operate in accordance with any given operating mode may be the duration of one time slot 210, although the communications satellite may operate in accordance with a single operating mode for a duration that is greater than time slot 210 (eg, any number of consecutive time slots 210).

In the exemplary loop structure 200 shown in FIG. 2, the number of Q may be 16, with each cycle 205 containing 16 time slots 210. Accordingly, in this example and as shown in FIG. 2, the communications satellite may operate in accordance with a first mode of operation for a minimum duration of one time slot 210 before switching to operation in accordance with a second mode of operation for one or more consecutive time slots 210. The value 16 for the quantity Q is given as only one example and it is contemplated that cycle 205 may contain any number of time slots 210 corresponding to any value for quantity Q.

In some cases, it may be necessary to use the techniques described in this document for low latency applications such as voice. Thus, it may be useful for the frequency at which a communications satellite switches modes of operation to be made relatively negligible compared to other delays (such as latency). For example, for a satellite in a geosynchronous orbit (GSO) or geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO), the one-way delay (e.g., signal propagation delay) may be approximately 250 milliseconds (ms), and this one-way delay may constitute an unavoidable delay. Therefore, selecting a duration for cycles 205 of approximately one-tenth the one-way delay value or less can reduce any delay between switching modes of operation to be relatively negligible. Accordingly, for a GSO or GEO satellite, a cycle time of about 25 ms may generally be sufficient, but a shorter cycle time may not sufficiently reduce the overall delay since the overall delay dominates the one-way delay. Thus, cycle times 205 to provide the techniques described herein for switching operating modes of approximately 25 ms may be suitable for many applications. However, in other examples, different durations may be defined for the cycles 205 such that the time slots 210 respectively have different durations. For example, in implementations of other types of communication systems or other satellite communication systems, other unavoidable delays may be greater or less and therefore relatively shorter or longer cycles 205 and time slots 210 may be used. In some cases, a very high rate of switching between modes of operation may effectively provide multiple different coverage areas with substantially continuous data service at full speed (eg, by switching at a high enough speed so that each of the time slots 210 appears almost instantly).

In another example, an alternative loop structure may be defined on a substantially slower scale. For example, instead of switching between operating modes several times per second, the communications satellite may be configured to operate in accordance with the first operating mode for a duration of time, such as several seconds, minutes, hours, or several days before switching to operate in accordance with the second mode work. For example, in some applications (e.g., government, military, etc.), a communications system operator may determine a specific geographic location (e.g., temporary installation, battlefield, construction site, etc.) for which communications services should be provided as much as possible before switching to another geographic location. Accordingly, in this example, the communications satellite may operate in accordance with the first mode of operation for a relatively long duration (eg, several hours, days, weeks, months, etc.) before switching to operation in accordance with the second mode of operation for one or more consecutive time intervals 210.

In FIG. 3 shows a table 300 of operating modes that support switching between operating modes of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Table 300 provides a summary of numerous modes of operation that may be implemented for a communications satellite in the satellite communications systems described with reference to FIG. 1 and 2. The operating modes referenced in table 300 are one example of a set of operating modes that may be used in one example implementation of a satellite communications system described herein, but it is contemplated that other similar implementations may use any number of other similar sets of operating modes.

Table 300 presents the cells defined by the corresponding columns and rows, the values in the cells being for the modes of operation and configurations that are defined herein. The values shown in the cells are to be understood as exemplary values for illustrative purposes with reference to one exemplary embodiment.

For example, the values shown may correspond to an implementation in which the communications satellite is configured with a bus having a power of 24.8 kilowatts (kW) and a bank of high power amplifiers (HPAs) having power-added efficiency (PAE) ratings. , for example, in the range from 30% to 40%. However, the values are only approximate and other similar implementations may result in different values. Rows A-H represent forward link configurations 310 (eg, forward link configurations "A"-"H"). The columns represent the polarization states for the corresponding forward links and reverse links for one of the three antennas (eg, reflectors R1, R2 and R3) of the communication satellite. Six columns are provided for forward link polarizations and three columns are provided for reverse link polarizations. The last column displays the maximum antenna array power dissipation for each of the A-H forward link configurations 310. Cells left blank represent, for example, modes of operation and configurations that may not be available in the intended exemplary implementation, although they may be used in other similar implementations.

As described herein, a communications satellite may include three antennas (e.g., three reflectors, referred to herein as reflectors R1, R2, and R3), which the communications satellite may use to provide communications services to devices in up to three respective coverage areas using signals transmitted and received via communication channels of the formed beam for the corresponding coverage areas. For example, a communications satellite may include a first antenna (e.g., antenna R1 or reflector R1) for communicating with devices in a first coverage area, a second antenna (e.g., antenna R2 or reflector R2) for communicating with devices in a second coverage area, and a third antenna (e.g. , antenna R3 or reflector R3) for communication with devices in the third coverage area.

As stated herein, in some cases, the operating mode for a communications satellite may be specified by two alphanumeric characters. For example, the first of the symbols may be a letter corresponding to a corresponding forward link configuration 310, and the second of the symbols may be a number corresponding to a corresponding reverse link configuration 320. In some cases, the mode of operation may include forward link configuration 310 and not include reverse link configuration 320, in which case the second symbol may be "0" (eg, representing no reverse link configuration, i.e., a value of zero).

With reference to table 300 in FIG. 3, each of the forward links and reverse links may be assigned to communicate with devices in a third coverage area via antenna R3 (eg, a corresponding group of access node terminals, i.e., a "SAN farm"). For example, forward link configurations for R1, R2, or R3 may be assigned to enable receiving forward uplink signals from devices in a third coverage area through antenna R3 and transmitting (or relaying) forward downlink signals to devices in the corresponding coverage area corresponding to specified antenna R1, R2 or R3. Likewise, reverse link configurations for R1, R2, or R3 may be assigned to enable receiving reverse uplink signals from devices in the appropriate coverage area corresponding to said antenna R1, R2, or R3, and transmitting (or relaying) downlink signals to devices in the third coverage area via antenna R3.

For example, the first mode of operation may be represented by "A0", which may correspond to the use of the first forward link configuration 311 "A" in combination with no reverse link configuration (eg, indicated by "0"). Referring to table 300, the first forward link configuration 311 "A" provides a value of 12.6 in the LHCP forward link column cell R1, which represents the forward link in which LHCP-polarized signals from a third coverage area can be received via antenna R3 and transmitted through antenna R1 to the first coverage area. A value of 12.6 may represent a power gain of 12.6 W (eg, provided by the HPA), for example, for each feed of the array of antenna feed elements used for the forward link.

In accordance with various modes of operation, each of the forward link configurations 310 "A" through "H" may be used in combination with one or more reverse link configurations 320. Table 300 shows three reverse link configurations 320 (eg, "1" through "3") that can be used in combination with forward link configurations 310 (in addition to the null "0" reverse link configuration). Table 300 contains three reverse link polarization columns corresponding to these reverse link configurations 320. For example, RHCP column R1 corresponds to a first reverse link configuration 321 "1", which may represent a reverse link in which RHCP-polarized signals can be received via antenna R1 from a first coverage area and transmitted via antenna R3 to a third coverage area. RHCP column R2 corresponds to a second reverse link configuration 322 "2", which may represent a reverse link in which RHCP-polarized signals can be received via antenna R2 from a second coverage area and transmitted via antenna R3 to a third coverage area. Column R3 RHCP corresponds to a third reverse link configuration 323 "3", which may represent a reverse link in which RHCP-polarized signals can be received via antenna R3 from the third coverage area and transmitted via antenna R3 back to the third coverage area (e.g., providing reverse link communication between different devices in the third coverage area).

The presence of a value in a cell in the reverse link polarization columns may indicate that a corresponding reverse link configuration 320 may be available for use with the forward link configuration 310 specified by the row containing the cell. Table 300 indicates that three modes of operation with the reverse link configuration 320 may be available for the first forward link configuration 311 "A". For example, table 300 provides a value of 1.0 in the RHCP reverse link column cell R1, which may indicate that the first reverse link configuration "1" can be used with the first forward link configuration 310 "A", for example, in a second mode of operation. "A1". A value of 1.0 may represent 1.0 W of power gain (eg, provided by the HPA), for example, for each feed in the array of antenna feed elements used for the return link. Table 300 also shows that the second reverse link configuration 312 "2" and the third reverse link configuration 313 "3" may also be used with the first forward link configuration 311 "A", for example, in the third operating mode "A2" and fourth operating mode “A3”, respectively.

Each of the reverse link cells shown in table 300 is also shaded to represent the level of interference that may occur between the forward link(s) and the reverse link(s). In some cases, interference may have the effect of reducing the data rate for the associated communication channel, for example, due to the fact that the communication satellite may adjust (e.g., reduce) the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) index and/or the coding rate , or other similar communication parameters for communication using a communication channel. In an alternative embodiment, if the communication satellite does not adjust such communication parameters, interference may reduce the signal quality score (eg, reduce the SNR or SINR) for the associated communication, thereby similarly reducing the effective data rate for the communication.

As shown in table 300, for example, each of the reverse link cells for the forward link configuration 311 "A" is shaded to indicate that there is substantially no interference between the forward link and the reverse link. In each of these operating modes (eg, "A1", "A2" and "A3"), the forward link can be polarized using LHCP, while the reverse links can be polarized using RHCP. Because LHCP and RHCP represent orthogonal polarization states, cross-polarization isolation can provide polarization diversity between the forward links and the reverse links and therefore there can be less (eg, substantially negligible) interference between the forward links and the reverse links.

However, in another mode of operation, using a particular reverse link configuration 320 with a particular forward link configuration 310 may result in interference between the forward link(s) and the reverse link(s). For example, table 300 proposes a second forward link configuration 312 "B". With reference to table 300, the second forward link configuration 312 "B" may include a dual polarization configuration in which both RHCP-polarized signals and LHCP-polarized signals can be received through antenna R3 from the third coverage area and transmitted through antenna R2 to the second. coverage area via appropriate direct communication channels. The fifth mode of operation "B0" can only include forward links with orthogonal RHCP and LHCP without reverse link configuration 320. Combining the second forward link configuration 312 "B" with the reverse link configuration may or may not result in a certain amount of interference.

For example, the sixth operating mode "B1" may include a second forward link configuration 312 "B" and a first reverse link configuration 321 "1". Table 300 shows that a high level of interference may occur for the sixth operating mode "B1". In this example, the second second forward link configuration 312 "B" may include RHCP-polarized signals, and the first reverse link configuration 321 "1" may also include RHCP-polarized signals. Thus, RHCP communication channels may not have cross-polarization between them and may therefore result in high levels of interference between signals that span, for example, overlapping sets of spatial resources. However, as described herein, the first coverage area may overlap with the third coverage area (as well as the second coverage area). Accordingly, RHCP-polarized signals may be transmitted between devices in overlapping geographic areas, and therefore RHCP-polarized and reverse link signals may span overlapping sets of spatial resources, resulting in relatively higher interference levels as shown in Table 300.

On the other hand, the seventh operating mode "B2" may include a second forward link configuration 312 "B" and a second reverse link configuration 322 "2". Table 300 shows that there may be no interference (or a minimal amount of interference) for the sixth operating mode "B2". That is, in the seventh operating mode “B2”, RHCP-polarized signals can be received through antenna R2 from the second coverage area and transmitted through antenna R3 to the third coverage area via a reverse communication channel. As described herein, in some cases the second coverage area and the third coverage area may not overlap. Thus, for the seventh operating mode "B2", there may not be an interference problem because the forward link signals and the reverse link signals may not cover overlapping sets of resources.

In some cases, a particular combination of forward link configuration 310 and reverse link configuration 320 may not be available. For example, as shown in table 300, the combination of a second forward link configuration 312 "B" and a third reverse link configuration 323 "3" may not be available. In such a hypothetical eighth operating mode "B3", antenna R3 may be used to receive dual-polarized forward uplink signals and therefore antenna R3 may not be available to also transmit reverse link signals in accordance with the third reverse channel configuration 323 "3". Such a hypothetical mode of operation is further described herein with reference to FIGS. 15. Likewise, since each of the fourth forward link configuration 314 "D", the fifth forward link configuration 315 "E", the sixth forward link configuration 316 "F", the seventh forward link configuration 317 "G" and the eighth configuration The forward link "H" 318 may use a third antenna R3 to receive dual-polarized forward uplink signals, the third reverse link configuration 323 "3" may also not be available with each of these forward link configurations.

Table 300 also shows an example of operating conditions that may result in a “medium” level of interference. For example, table 300 proposes a third forward link configuration 313 "C". Referring to table 300, in the third forward link configuration 313 "C", LHCP-polarized signals may be received through antenna R3 from the third coverage area and transmitted through antenna R3 back to the third coverage area on the forward link. The ninth operating mode “C0” can only enable the forward LHCP link without reverse link configuration. In some cases, combining the third forward link configuration 313 "C" with the reverse link configuration 320 may result in a "medium" level of interference. For example, in each of the tenth operating mode "C1", the eleventh operating mode "C2" and the twelfth operating mode "C3", interference may occur due to simultaneous reception and transmission of the LHCP forward uplink and downlink through antenna R3. For example, the carrier-to-interference (C/I) ratio can be reduced (e.g., by approximately 14 dB) compared to a configuration in which forward link signals are received through an antenna with non-overlapping coverage to the antenna for forward communication channel transmission. In addition, in the tenth operating mode "C1", a higher forward link EIRP of the LHCP forward link may cause interference in the reverse uplink RHCP on R1. While LHCP and RHCP signals may be cross-polarized, the higher forward link EIRP of LHCP forward link signals from access node terminals may result in additional cross-polarized interference across R1 (e.g., 3 to 8 dBc )).

Table 300 also shows an example of operating modes that may result in relatively low interference levels. For example, table 300 proposes a fourth forward link configuration 314 "G". Referring to table 300, in the fourth forward link configuration 314 "G", RHCP-polarized signals may be received via antenna R3 from the third coverage area and transmitted via antenna R1 to the first coverage area on the first forward link, and LHCP-polarized signals may also received through antenna R3 from the third coverage area and transmitted through antenna R3 back to the third coverage area via a forward communication channel. The thirteenth operating mode "G0" can only include forward links with RHCP and LHCP without reverse link configuration. In some cases, combining the fourth forward link configuration 314 "G" with the reverse link configuration 320 may result in low interference. For example, in the fourteenth operating mode "G2" with a reverse link provided through a reverse uplink RHCP received through antenna R2 and a reverse downlink RHCP transmitted through antenna R3. In this case, the forward downlink RHCP signals transmitted through antenna R1 may affect the reverse downlink RHCP signals transmitted through antenna R3 due to the geographic overlap between the coverage area of antenna R1 and the coverage area of antenna R3 and the higher EIRP of the forward signals. downlink relative to reverse downlink signals (for example, forward downlink signals may have a C/I 7–12 dB higher than reverse downlink signals).

In addition to the fourteen operating modes described above, Table 300 also provides additional operating modes such as: "D0", "D1", "D2", "E0", "E1", "E2", "F0", "F1", "F2", "G1", "H0", "H1" and "H2". A total of twenty-seven modes of operation are presented in table 300 (including the "hypothetical" mode of operation B3), each of which can be implemented in ways similar to those described above in accordance with table 300. Each of these modes of operation is described in turn below with reference to satellite communication system shown in FIG. 4–10 and 12–31.

As shown by the values presented in Table 300 and the different levels of interference between the forward and reverse links, different operating modes may be used in different situations according to their respective characteristics. For example, some operating modes may provide relatively higher channel capacity for a certain coverage area and therefore may be used to provide relatively higher capacity within that coverage area in some situations. In other situations, it may be necessary to provide lower capacity with higher channel spacing between different coverage areas and/or simultaneously provide communications services to more or fewer coverage areas. Accordingly, the communications satellite may be configured to switch between operating modes, for example, to optimize these characteristics in different situations.

In accordance with the techniques described herein, the communications satellite may be configured to operate in accordance with an initial operating mode (eg, a default operating mode or, typically, one of the operating modes described herein). After operating in accordance with the original operating mode for a period of time, the communication satellite may be configured to switch to a second (e.g., new) operating mode (e.g., in accordance with a command received from the controller), and the communication satellite may switch its operation from the original operating mode to the new operating mode accordingly.

In some cases, the communications satellite may be configured to switch between operating modes according to a pattern or sequence of operating modes (eg, based on macroscopic environmental or traffic conditions). In some cases, a communications satellite may be configured with a sequence of operating modes that are switched between in a specific order to provide communications services to devices within an aggregated coverage area of the respective coverage areas. For example, a communications satellite may operate according to a pattern (eg, a repeating pattern) of operating modes that provides the required downlink and uplink data rates for the respective coverage areas. The pattern or sequence of operating modes may vary depending on traffic load or environmental conditions (for example, according to the time of day).

In some cases, the sequence of operating modes may be modified in accordance with one or more criteria. For example, a communications satellite may typically be configured to switch between first and second modes of operation in accordance with a standard pattern (eg, for standard operations), but the communications satellite may also be configured to modify the standard pattern based on one or more criteria. Such criteria may include, for example, a certain amount of traffic and/or time of day. That is, the communications satellite may typically use the first pattern of operating patterns at certain times of day, provided, for example, that the communications satellite has detected relatively increased data traffic from a certain area. In this case, the communications satellite may switch to a second mode pattern to provide increased data throughput for that area.

In an additional or alternative embodiment, the communications satellite may switch (eg, dynamically) to a new operating mode or pattern based on one or more criteria. For example, satellite communications system 100 may detect and/or be configured with one or more dynamic switching events based on which the communications satellite may switch operating modes or operating mode patterns. Accordingly, when the occurrence of a dynamic switching event is detected (eg, in accordance with one or more measurements or other criteria), the communications satellite may switch from a first operating mode to a second operating mode or from a first operating mode pattern to a second operating mode pattern. For example, satellite communications system 100 may determine which technical characteristic, such as a signal quality metric (eg, SNR, SINR, EIRP, etc.) satisfies a corresponding threshold for switching operating modes or operating mode patterns. For example, satellite communications system 100 may determine that a signal quality indicator (eg, for a communication channel through one or more antennas) has fallen below a desired target signal quality value, and may switch to a second operating mode or a second operating mode pattern to provide communication services over other communication channels that have higher signal quality and therefore reliability (but which, for example, may have a lower upper limit for throughput). In some cases, different antennas (eg, antennas R1, R2, and R3) may have different performance ratios, for example, each of the antennas of a communications satellite may have different corresponding power gains. For example, the power gain for each of the antennas may be inversely proportional to the geographic size of the corresponding coverage area served by the antenna. That is, antennas R2 and/or R3 may have substantially higher respective power gains, for example, compared to antenna R1, which may provide communication services for a first coverage area (which may be, for example, a large area up to the entire visible surface Earth). The power gain for each antenna may correlate with the data rate, and therefore the throughput, that the antenna can provide to devices in that respective coverage area.

Accordingly, the communications satellite may be configured for a new operating mode or operating mode pattern so as to optimize throughput for devices in each of the coverage areas for which the communications satellite provides services. In some cases, a new operating mode or pattern of operating modes may be defined (eg, in accordance with an algorithm in the controller) to maximize the throughput for each of the devices in the first coverage area, the second coverage area, and the third coverage area, based on, for example, , service request for each of the coverage areas, power gain (and/or other performance indicators) associated with the antennas corresponding to each of the coverage areas, stationary and/or dynamic interference conditions (e.g., weather and environmental conditions, communications satellite location etc.

For example, to optimize throughput, the antennas having the highest gain (eg, R2 and R3) may be positioned to illuminate coverage areas with higher user terminal densities. In some cases, antennas with lower gain (for example, antenna R1 for the first coverage area) may be capable of providing services to devices that cannot be served by the remaining antennas of the communications satellite, and therefore the communications satellite may serve these devices using antenna R1. while using higher gain antennas R2 and/or R3 to provide higher gain services to higher density areas within the respective antenna coverage area. Accordingly, the controller may determine operating modes of the corresponding operating mode pattern based on the physical capabilities of the communication satellite.

Likewise, the communications satellite may adjust one or more time durations (eg, the relationship between multiple durations) at which the communications satellite operates in one or more respective operating modes. For example, reverse link services may provide relatively little throughput, and so in some cases (e.g., high demand situations), the communications satellite may allocate a relatively small fraction of time (e.g., number of cycle time slots) to the modes of operation that provide the services reverse link as opposed to modes of operation that provide inherently higher throughput through forward link services. By balancing the technical characteristics of each of its respective antennas, the service request for each of the antennas corresponding to coverage areas, physical parameters (orientation, population destination, trajectory, etc.) and other similar parameters described herein, a pattern of modes operation (eg, including operating mode, order and duration) can be selected to efficiently provide communication services to devices located in service coverage areas.

In FIG. 4 illustrates a satellite communications system configuration 400 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In some examples, satellite communications system configuration 400 may implement aspects of the satellite communications system described with reference to FIG. 1–3. The satellite communications system configuration 400 may utilize a number of network architectures, including a space segment and a terrestrial segment. The satellite segment may include a communications satellite 405, which may be an example of a communications satellite 105 as described in FIG. 1–3. The ground segment may include a group of user terminals and a group of access node terminals (including, for example, one or more gateways), which may be examples of corresponding devices, as described with reference to FIG. 1–3. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 400 in FIG. 4 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a first operating mode, eg, an "A0" operating mode as described with reference to FIG. 3. The "A0" operating mode provides the first forward link configuration 311 "A" without the reverse link configuration.

Communications satellite 405 is illustrated with three antennas for providing communication services to devices in up to three respective coverage areas via signals transmitted and received on beamformed communications links for the respective coverage areas. For example, the communications satellite 405 may include a first antenna 410 illuminating a first coverage area 415 (e.g., reflector R1 corresponding to coverage area R1), a second antenna 420 illuminating a second coverage area 425 (e.g., reflector R2 corresponding to coverage area R2), and a third an antenna 430 illuminating a third coverage area 435 (eg, a reflector R3 corresponding to the coverage area R3). Each of the antennas may include a reflector and a feed array assembly (not shown), or may include a feed array assembly without a reflector (eg, a DRA).

While the exemplary satellite communications system configuration 400 illustrates and describes the communications satellite 405 as comprising three antennas (e.g., three reflectors) primarily for end-to-end beamforming communications, in other contemplated implementations, satellite communications systems 400 may include any number of antennas to communicate with devices in any number of coverage areas and can similarly implement any other applicable communication schemes. In some examples, there may be some overlap between different coverage areas. For example, as shown in the exemplary satellite communications system configuration 400, the first coverage area 415 completely overlaps the second coverage area 425 and the third coverage area 435. In other examples, the first coverage zone 415 may overlap with only one in the second coverage zone 425 or the third coverage zone 435. Additionally, in other examples, the first coverage zone 415 may partially overlap with the second coverage zone 425 and/or the third coverage zone 435 (e.g., the second coverage zone 425 and/or the third coverage zone 435 may be partially in the first coverage zone 415 and partially not overlapped by the first coverage zone 415).

According to the first operating mode shown in FIG. 4 (eg, operating mode "A0"), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices located in a first coverage area 415, which may be served by devices (eg, access node terminals) located in a third coverage area 435. For example, when using forward link 436, communications satellite 405 may receive forward uplink signals from devices (e.g., access node terminals) in third coverage area 435 through antenna R3 430 and a repeater corresponding to forward downlink signals to devices (e.g., user terminals) in the first coverage area 415 via antenna R1 410. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 400 also shows that the communications satellite 405 includes a second antenna 420 associated with the second coverage area 425, but, in some cases, the second antenna 420 may not be used in the first operating mode. Accordingly, when operating in accordance with the first mode of operation, the communications satellite 405 may not provide communications services to portions of the second coverage area 425 without overlapping the first coverage area 415.

As shown in the exemplary satellite communications system configuration 400 in FIG. 4, signals transmitted on the forward link 436 may be polarized using a first polarization 450, which is LHCP. Accordingly, antennas of transmitting devices (e.g., access node terminals) may employ LHCP polarization to transmit signals on the forward link 436, and antennas of receiving devices (e.g., user terminals) may likewise use LHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the forward link 436 . Similarly, the respective receive and transmit ports of the communications satellite 405 may be configured for LHCP to substantially relay only LHCP-polarized signals and not relay, for example, RHCP-polarized signals such that the communications satellite 405 accordingly relays the polarized signals transmitted from the terminals access nodes. While the use of circular polarizations is described herein, other polarizations may be similarly implemented using similar polarization techniques (eg, using one or more polarizations selected from sets of polarizations that have mutual orthogonality).

Devices in coverage areas and communications satellite 405 may use the first frequency band to transmit uplink signals and may use the second frequency band to transmit downlink signals. In some examples, the first frequency range for uplink signals and the second frequency range for downlink signals may span non-overlapping sets of frequency resources. For example, uplink signals may be transmitted using a frequency range around the 30 GHz spectrum, and downlink signals may be transmitted using a frequency range around the 20 GHz spectrum. Accordingly, in some cases, uplink and downlink signals may be transmitted simultaneously (eg, over overlapping or partially overlapping time domain resources). In such cases, communications satellite 405 may be configured to receive 30 GHz uplink signals via R3, perform signal processing to convert the 20 GHz signals, and transmit downlink signals via 20 GHz R1. However, the combination of 30 GHz and 20 GHz uplink-downlink is just one example implementation. In other implementations, satellite communications system configuration 400 may be configured with downlink-uplink combinations, such as 50 GHz and 40 GHz, 14 and 12 GHz (e.g., Ku-band), V-band spectra, and any other similar combinations of radio frequency bands. spectrum Likewise, in some embodiments, uplink signals may be configured to use a frequency band containing a higher frequency and downlink signals may be configured to use a frequency band containing a lower frequency, but the opposite convention may also be implemented.

As likewise described herein, the first operating mode is shown as the "A0" operating mode. As illustrated in FIG. 4 and likewise described with reference to FIG. 3, the designation "0" of the "A0" operating mode indicates that the first operating mode does not include reverse link configuration. The operating modes "A1", "A2" and "A3" are as described below with reference to FIG. 5-7, for example, provide reverse link configurations in combination with the first forward link configuration "A" shown and described herein in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 5 illustrates a satellite communications system configuration 500 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 500 in FIG. 5 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a second operating mode, for example, an "A1" operating mode, as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. The "A1" operating mode provides a first reverse link configuration 321 "1" in combination with a forward link configuration 311 "A", as described with reference to FIG. 4.

According to the second operating mode shown in FIG. 5 (e.g., "A1" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices located in a first coverage area 415, which may be served by devices (e.g., access node terminals) located in a third coverage area 435 via forward link. communication channel 436, as similarly described with reference to FIG. 4 (for example, according to the first forward channel configuration “A”).

Additionally, in accordance with the second mode of operation, the communications satellite 405 may relay reverse link signals between the first coverage area 415 and the third coverage area 435. Thus, reverse link communication services may be provided to devices (eg, user terminals) located in the first coverage area 415 through access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the "1" configuration 321) using the second polarization 460 (for example, RHCP). For example, to establish a reverse uplink 537, the communications satellite 405 may receive reverse uplink RHCP signals from devices (e.g., user terminals) in the first coverage area 415 via antenna R1 410 and a repeater corresponding to the reverse downlink RHCP signals to the devices. (e.g., access node terminals) in the third coverage area 435 via antenna R3 430. Accordingly, the antennas of transmitting devices (e.g., user terminals) may apply RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the reverse communication channel 537, and the antennas of receiving devices (e.g., node terminals) access) can use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the reverse link 537.

The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 500 in FIG. 5 shows both forward link interference 545 and noise with intermodulation components (IM) 546, either or both of which can potentially degrade the signal quality of signals transmitted in the third coverage area 435 via communications satellite 405. For example, devices in the third coverage area 435 may receive signals on the reverse link 537 using time-frequency resources that may at least partially overlap with the time-frequency resources in the third coverage area 435 of the forward link 436. In addition, since the first coverage area 415 may overlap with the third coverage area 435, the resources for the forward communication channel 436 may also spatially overlap with the resources for the reverse communication channel 537. Thus, forward link interference 545 may occur and may degrade the signal quality for communication with devices in the third coverage area 435. However, as shown for the second mode of operation, the forward link 436 and the reverse link 537 may use orthogonal polarization, for example, providing polarization diversity (eg, –22 dB). Accordingly, forward link interference 545 may not be significantly increased compared to other operating modes and/or interference evaluation test levels (as similarly indicated in the table described with reference to FIG. 3). The level of interference evaluation testing may correspond, for example, to a satellite communications system configuration in which the third coverage area 435 (eg, containing access node terminals) does not overlap with the first coverage area 415.

In addition, noise and IM 546 may result in a relatively small amount of degradation of the reverse link 537 caused by the forward link 436 (eg, -15 dBc). Thus, even the formation of a beam of beams in the forward communication channel 436 in the third coverage area 435 cannot cause significant interference. Taken together, the impact on link performance from forward link interference 545 as well as noise and IM 546 for the second mode of operation may be relatively minor (eg, substantially negligible compared to evaluation tests). While techniques may be implemented to minimize some degree of signal quality degradation as described herein, such techniques (e.g., omnidirectional forward link beamforming in third coverage area 435 and/or various interference suppression techniques) may be relatively unnecessary , given the relatively low level of interference and degradation in this example.

In FIG. 6 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 600 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 600 of FIG. 6 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a third operating mode, for example, an "A2" operating mode, as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. Mode of operation "A2" provides a second reverse link configuration 322 "2" in combination with a forward link configuration 311 "A", as described with reference to FIG. 4.

According to the third operating mode shown in FIG. 6 (e.g., "A2" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices located in a first coverage area 415, which may be served by devices (e.g., access node terminals) located in a third coverage area 435 via forward link. communication channel 436, as similarly described with reference to FIG. 4 (for example, according to the first forward channel configuration “A”).

Additionally, in accordance with the third mode of operation, the communications satellite 405 may relay reverse link signals between the second coverage area 425 and the third coverage area 435. Thus, reverse link communication services may be provided to devices located in the second coverage area 425 through access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the second "2" configuration 322). For example, to establish a reverse uplink 639, the communications satellite 405 may receive reverse uplink RHCP signals from devices (e.g., user terminals) in the second coverage area 425 via antenna R2 420 and a repeater corresponding to the reverse downlink RHCP signals through the devices. (e.g., access node terminals) in the third coverage area 435 via antenna R3 430. Accordingly, the antennas of transmitting devices (e.g., user terminals) can apply RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the reverse communication channel 639, and the antennas of receiving devices (e.g., node terminals) access) can use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the reverse link 639.

The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 600 in FIG. 6 also depicts the noise and IM 646 that can result in a relatively small amount of degradation of the reverse link 639 caused by the forward link 436 (eg, -15 dBc). Thus, even the formation of a beam of beams in the forward communication channel 436 in the third coverage area 435 cannot cause significant interference. As shown for the third mode of operation, the forward link 436 and the reverse link 639 may use orthogonal polarization, for example, providing polarization diversity (eg, –22 dB). Accordingly, forward link interference may not be significantly increased compared to other operating modes and/or interference evaluation test levels (as similarly indicated in the table described with reference to FIG. 3). While techniques may be implemented to minimize some degree of signal quality degradation, as described herein, such techniques (eg, forward link omnidirectional beamforming in third coverage area 435, interference suppression) may be relatively unnecessary given the relatively low the level of interference and the degree of degradation in this example.

In FIG. 7 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 700 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 700 of FIG. 7 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a fourth operating mode, for example, an "A3" operating mode as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. Mode of operation "A3" provides a third reverse link configuration 323 "3" in combination with a forward link configuration 311 "A", as described with reference to FIG. 4.

According to the fourth operating mode shown in FIG. 7 (e.g., "A3" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices located in a first coverage area 415, which may be served by devices (e.g., access node terminals) located in a third coverage area 435 via forward link. communication channel 436, as similarly described with reference to FIG. 4 (eg, in accordance with the first forward channel configuration 311 "A").

In addition, in accordance with the fourth mode of operation, the communication satellite 405 can relay reverse link signals between devices of the third coverage area 435 and other devices in the third coverage area 435. Thus, reverse link communication services may be provided to devices (eg, user terminals) located in the third coverage area 435 through access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the third "3" configuration 323). For example, to establish a reverse uplink 742, the communications satellite 405 may receive reverse uplink RHCP signals from devices (e.g., user terminals) in the third coverage area 435 via antenna R3 430 and a repeater corresponding to the reverse downlink RHCP signals to others. devices (eg, access node terminals) in the third coverage area 435 via antenna R3 430. Accordingly, the antennas of the transmitting devices (eg, user terminals) can apply RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the reverse communication channel 742, and the antennas of the receiving devices (eg, terminals) access nodes) can use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the reverse link 742.

The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 700 of FIG. 7 also depicts the noise and IM 746 that can result in a relatively small amount of degradation of the reverse link 742 caused by the forward link 436 (eg, -15 dBc). Thus, even the formation of a beam of beams in the forward communication channel 436 in the third coverage area 435 cannot cause significant interference. As shown for the fourth mode of operation, the forward link 436 and the reverse link 742 may use orthogonal polarization, for example, providing polarization diversity (eg, –22 dB). Accordingly, forward link interference may not be significantly increased compared to other operating modes and/or interference evaluation test levels (as similarly indicated in the table described with reference to FIG. 3). While techniques may be implemented to minimize some degree of signal quality degradation, as described herein, such techniques (eg, forward link omnidirectional beamforming in third coverage area 435, interference suppression) may be relatively unnecessary given the relatively low the level of interference and the degree of degradation in this example.

The operating modes for the four forward link configurations 314 "D" are described below with reference to FIGS. 8-10 to illustrate the mode of operation to which the communications satellite 405 may switch, for example, from the mode of operation using the first forward link configuration 311 "A". Forward link "D" configurations provide similar forward and reverse link communication services to the operating modes for forward link "A" configurations (for example, operating modes "A0", "A1" and "A2" provide forward and reverse link communication services for the same corresponding coverage areas as operating modes "D0", "D1" and "D2"). However, while modes of operation "A" provide forward link services to devices in the first coverage area 415 through a single forward link with LHCP, modes of operation "D" provide forward link services to devices in the first coverage area 415 through corresponding forward links connections with dual polarization LHCP and RHCP.

Based on the difference in the forward communication channel for the "A" operating modes and the "D" operating modes, the communication satellite 405 can determine (for example, in accordance with a command received from the controller) whether to switch to one or the other operating mode (for example, from different, from a new operating mode, etc.) based on various factors. For example, dual-polarization forward links of "D" operating modes can provide roughly twice the spectrum for forward link communications via antenna R1 compared to "A" operating modes using a single forward link. This may increase the potential data rate and therefore the throughput for forward link communication services to devices in the first coverage area 415. That is, as shown in the table in FIG. 3, communications satellite 405 may employ a higher power amplifier per feed when using polarization for a single communication channel compared to dual polarization. For example, the first forward link configuration 311 "A" can provide an amplifier of 12.6 W, for example, compared to 6.0 W and 5.4 W using dual polarization for the forward link configuration "D". The higher capacity power distribution provided by forward link "D" configurations can provide greater information capacity (eg, according to the Shannon-Hartley theorem) than forward link "A" configurations. However, in some cases, the greater power gain of forward link "A" configurations can reduce power fluctuations, e.g., compared to dual polarization modes, by applying a greater proportion of the available power to the transmitted payload information (and, in some cases, e.g. when the header size is very large, this may result in "A" operating modes providing higher effective information capacity than "D" operating modes).

In addition, while the "D" operating modes may cause interference when using reverse links (eg, as shown in the table in Fig. 3), these reverse link configurations are nevertheless available for the "D" operating modes. However, "A" modes of operation cause relatively less interference when using the same reverse link configurations (eg, substantially the negligible interference described herein). Accordingly, as described herein, communications satellite 405 may determine or control to switch (eg, dynamically) the use of one of the "A" operating modes, for example, to provide higher reliability of communications services, both for forward link services and for reverse link services, wherein the communication satellite 405 may determine one of the "D" operating modes to be used, for example, to provide a higher maximum data rate for forward link communication services with devices in the first coverage area 415. Communications satellite 405 may perform similar analyzes and determinations for the remaining operating modes described herein to determine and accordingly switch between operating modes.

In FIG. 8 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 800 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 800 of FIG. 8 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a fifth operating mode, eg, a "D0" operating mode as described with reference to FIG. 3. The "D0" operating mode provides the fourth forward link configuration 314 "D" without the reverse link configuration.

According to the fifth operating mode shown in FIG. 8 (e.g., "D0" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices located in a first coverage area 415, which may be served by devices (e.g., access node terminals) located in a third coverage area 435 via forward links. communication channels 836 and 838.

As shown in the exemplary satellite communications system configuration 800 in FIG. 8, signals may be transmitted between devices in the third coverage zone 435 and the first coverage zone 415 using dual polarization. For example, signals transmitted on the forward communication channel 836 may be polarized using a first polarization, in this case LHCP, and signals transmitted on the forward communication channel 838 may be polarized using a second polarization, in this case RHCP. Accordingly, the antennas of transmitting devices (eg, access node terminals) may use LHCP polarization to transmit signals on the forward communication channel 836, and the antennas of corresponding receiving devices (eg, user terminals) may likewise use LHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the forward link 836 communications. Similarly, the antennas of transmitting devices may use RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the forward link 838, and the antennas of corresponding receiving devices may use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the forward link 838. Likewise, the respective receive and transmit ports of the communications satellite 405 may be configured for LHCP or RHCP to substantially relay only the correspondingly polarized signals such that the communications satellite 405 respectively relays the polarized signals transmitted from the access node terminals. Thus, dual polarization can be used to transmit overlapping data streams between the same respective coverage areas. While the use of circular polarizations is described herein, other polarizations may be similarly implemented using similar polarization techniques (eg, using one or more polarizations selected from sets of polarizations that have mutual orthogonality).

The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 800 of FIG. 8 also shows noise and IMs 846 and 848 that can potentially degrade the signal quality of signals transmitted in the third coverage area 435 via communications satellite 405. As shown for the fifth mode of operation, forward link 836 and forward link 838 may utilize orthogonal polarization, for example, providing polarization diversity. Accordingly, forward link interference may not be significantly increased compared to other operating modes and/or interference evaluation test levels.

As similarly described herein, the fifth operating mode is shown as the "D0" operating mode. As illustrated in FIG. 8 and likewise described with reference to FIG. 3, the designation "0" of the "D0" operating mode indicates that the fifth operating mode does not include reverse link configuration. Operating modes "D1" and "D2" are as described below with reference to FIG. 9 and 10, for example, provide reverse link configurations in combination with the fourth forward link configuration 314 "D" shown and described herein in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 9 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 900 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 900 of FIG. 9 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a sixth operating mode, for example, a "D1" operating mode, as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. Mode of operation "D1" provides a first reverse link configuration 321 "1" in combination with a fourth forward link configuration 314 "D", as described with reference to FIG. 8.

According to the sixth operating mode shown in FIG. 9 (e.g., "D1" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices located in a first coverage area 415, which may be served by devices (e.g., access node terminals) located in a third coverage area 435 via forward links. communication channels 836 and 838, as similarly described with reference to FIG. 8 (eg, in accordance with the fourth forward channel configuration 314 "D").

Additionally, in accordance with the sixth operating mode, the communications satellite 405 may relay reverse link signals between the first coverage area 415 and the third coverage area 435. Thus, reverse link communication services may be provided to devices (eg, user terminals) located in the first coverage area 415 through access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the first reverse link configuration 321 "1" ). For example, to establish a reverse uplink 937, the communications satellite 405 may receive reverse uplink RHCP signals from devices (e.g., user terminals) in the first coverage area 415 via antenna R1 410 and a repeater corresponding to the reverse downlink RHCP signals to the devices. (e.g., access node terminals) in the third coverage area 435 via antenna R3 430. Accordingly, the antennas of transmitting devices (e.g., user terminals) may apply RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the reverse communication channel 937, and the antennas of receiving devices (e.g., node terminals) access) can use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the reverse link 937.

Accordingly, in the communications satellite 405, signals may be transmitted between devices in the third coverage area 435 and the first coverage area 415 using dual polarization. For example, each of the respective receive and transmit ports of the communications satellite 405 may be configured for LHCP or RHCP to substantially relay respectively polarized signals and such that the communications satellite 405 respectively relays the polarized signals. For reverse link 937, the respective receive and transmit ports of communications satellite 405 may be configured for RHCP to substantially relay RHCP-polarized signals and not to relay, for example, LHCP-polarized signals. Thus, forward link and reverse link signals may be transmitted between devices in the first coverage area 415 and devices in the third coverage area 435 via communications satellite 405 using, for example, dual polarization and communications resources that may overlap in time and/or by frequency. While the use of circular polarizations is described herein, other polarizations may be similarly implemented using similar polarization techniques (eg, using one or more polarizations selected from sets of polarizations that have mutual orthogonality).

The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 900 of FIG. 9 also displays forward uplink interference 946 and forward downlink interference 947. For example, forward uplink interference 946 may represent interference between the uplink for forward link 836 and the uplink for reverse link 937, while forward uplink interference 947 may represent interference between the downlink for forward link 836 and a downlink for the reverse communication channel 937. However, since the forward link 836 and the reverse link 937 use orthogonal polarization, the forward uplink interference 946 and the forward downlink interference 947 cannot be significantly increased compared to other operating modes and/or interference evaluation test levels due to polarization diversity (eg –22 dB). Thus, beamforming on the forward communication link 836 can occur even within the third coverage area 435.

Forward uplink interference 948 may represent interference between the uplink for forward link 838 and the uplink for reverse link 937 . Because the forward link 836 and the forward link 937 do not use orthogonal polarizations and the third coverage area 435 is within the irradiation zone R1, the uplink of the forward link 836 may cause significant uplink interference to the reverse link 937 (e.g., on 22 dB worse than if the third coverage zone 435 is outside the irradiation zone R1). Beamforming the receive beams for the reverse link 937 can minimize the forward uplink interference 948, however, the power received at R1 from the forward uplink interference 948 may reduce the signal strength for the reverse link 937 and therefore reduce the ability to completely minimize the effects on reverse channel 937 communication.

Forward downlink interference 949 may represent interference between the downlink of forward link 838 and the downlink of reverse link 937, which do not use orthogonal polarizations. The downlink interference 949 may be reduced due to the lower gain of R1 compared to R3, but may still cause significant interference if signal energy from the downlink of the forward link 838 is present in the third coverage area 435. Beamforming of the forward link 838 may be used to minimize interference 949 of the forward downlink (eg, minimizing the signal energy from the forward link 838 within the third coverage area 435). In an additional or alternative embodiment, the MCS and/or coding rate for the forward link 838 or the reverse link 937 may be adapted to account for interference. However, this may correspondingly reduce the data transfer rate for these communication systems. In an alternative embodiment, if the communication system does not employ an interference minimization procedure, the interference may reduce the signal quality score (eg, reduce the SNR or SINR) for the associated communication, thereby likewise reducing the effective data rate for the communication.

In some cases, some of the noise and IM 946 and 948 (for example, in particular, some intermodulation frequencies) may be due to self-interference. For example, parasitic connections between antenna and repeater components can cause their own interference, which can degrade the associated communication system. In such cases, self-interference cancellation (SIC) procedures may be used to cancel these self-interferences (eg, self-interference can be identified and minimized through active procedures or through fixed hardware).

However, in some cases, as an alternative to implementing interference minimization techniques, communications satellite 405 may instead switch to another operating mode. For example, according to the sixth operating mode "D1" as shown and described herein in FIG. 9, a communications satellite 405 may provide forward and reverse link communication services to devices located in the first coverage area 415. Accordingly, rather than performing specific interference minimization and/or interference suppression techniques, communications satellite 405 may instead determine (e.g., in accordance with a command received from the controller) that it is necessary to switch to a new operating mode, e.g., a second operating mode "A1" as described with reference to FIG. 5. That is, the second mode of operation "A1" can also provide forward and reverse link services to devices located in the first coverage area, but may be less susceptible to performance loss due to interference, for example, as may occur in the sixth mode "D1" work. However, the second operating mode "A1" may provide a slightly reduced maximum data transfer rate compared to the sixth operating mode "D1". Likewise, if, for example, the demand for reverse link communication services is relatively low, the controller may determine that it needs to switch to a mode of operation that has a higher forward link data rate and lower interference, but which may not provide reverse link services. communication channel (eg, for devices in the third coverage area 435 and/or based on a request from the first coverage area 415 and/or the second coverage area 425). Accordingly, the controller may dynamically determine, based on interference as well as other indicators and criteria described herein, that switching to a different operating mode is necessary for conditions for which a different operating mode may be better suited.

Although the description is made with reference to the satellite communication system configuration 900 shown in FIG. 9, aspects of these interference minimization, suppression, and avoidance techniques may be used for any of the operating modes as described herein.

In FIG. 10 illustrates a satellite communications system configuration 1000 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communication system configuration 1000 in FIG. 10 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a seventh operating mode, for example, a "D2" operating mode, as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. Mode of operation "D2" provides a second reverse link configuration 322 "2" in combination with a fourth forward link configuration 314 "D", as described with reference to FIG. 8.

According to the seventh operating mode shown in FIG. 10 (e.g., "D2" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices located in a first coverage area 415, which may be served by devices (e.g., access node terminals) located in a third coverage area 435 via forward links. communication channels 836 and 838, as similarly described with reference to FIG. 8 (eg, in accordance with the fourth forward channel configuration 314 "D").

Additionally, in accordance with the seventh mode of operation, the communications satellite 405 may relay RHCP reverse link signals between the second coverage area 425 and the third coverage area 435. Thus, reverse link communication services may be provided to devices (eg, user terminals) located in the second coverage area 425 through access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the second "2" configuration 322). For example, to establish a reverse communications channel 1039, the communications satellite 405 may receive reverse uplink RHCP communications signals from devices (e.g., user terminals) in the second coverage area 425 via antenna R2 420 and a repeater corresponding to reverse downlink RHCP communications signals to the devices (e.g., access node terminals) in the third coverage area 435 via antenna R3 430. Accordingly, the antennas of transmitting devices (e.g., user terminals) may apply RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the reverse communication channel 1039, and the antennas of receiving devices (e.g., node terminals) access) can use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the reverse link 1039.

The exemplary satellite communication system configuration 1000 in FIG. 10 also displays forward downlink interference 1046 and forward downlink interference 1048. Forward uplink interference 1046 may represent interference between a downlink for forward link 836 and a downlink for reverse link 1039, while forward uplink interference 1048 may represent interference between a downlink for forward link 838 and a downlink communication channel for the reverse communication channel 1039. Because the forward link 836 and reverse link 1039 use orthogonal polarization, the forward downlink interference 1046 cannot be significantly increased compared to other operating modes and/or interference evaluation test levels due to polarization diversity (eg, -22 dB ). Thus, beamforming on the forward communication link 836 can occur even within the third coverage area 435.

Forward downlink interference 1048 may represent interference between the downlink of forward link 838 and the downlink of reverse link 1039, which do not use orthogonal polarizations. The downlink interference 1048 may be reduced due to the lower gain of R1 compared to R3, but may still cause significant interference if signal energy from the downlink of the forward link 838 is present in the third coverage area 435. Beamforming of the forward link 838 may be used to minimize interference 1048 of the forward downlink (eg, minimizing the signal energy from the forward link 838 within the third coverage area 435). In an additional or alternative embodiment, the MCS and/or coding rate for the forward link 838 or the reverse link 1048 may be adapted to account for interference. However, this may correspondingly reduce the data transfer rate for these communication systems. In an alternative embodiment, if the communication system does not employ an interference minimization procedure, the interference may reduce the signal quality score (eg, reduce the SNR or SINR) for the associated communication, thereby similarly reducing the effective data rate for the communication.

In FIG. 11 illustrates an example flow 1100 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In some examples, process flow 1100 may be implemented using aspects of a satellite communications system, as described with reference to FIG. 1–10. Flow 1100 may be performed by controller 175 and may include determining operating modes for a communications satellite, as described with reference to FIG. 1–10. Alternative examples may be used, with some steps performed in a different order than described, or not performed at all. In some examples, steps may include additional elements not listed below, or additional steps may be added.

At 1110, the controller may determine a first operating mode for a communications satellite from a set of operating modes for providing communications services to terminals within a service area that includes a first coverage area associated with a first communications satellite antenna (e.g., coverage area R1 associated with antenna R1) and a second coverage area associated with a second antenna of the antenna set (eg, coverage area R3 associated with antenna R3). In some cases, the second coverage area may include at least one access node terminal (eg, a gateway) for providing communication services via a communications satellite. In some cases, the second coverage area may at least partially overlap with the first coverage area.

The first mode of operation may correspond to a first configuration of the respective polarizations with at least one of a set of antennas for received signals of each of the respective polarizations and at least one of a set of antennas for the transmitted signals of each of the respective polarizations. As an illustrative example for process flow 1100, a first operating mode may correspond to a configuration (eg, including a first forward link configuration) of a communications satellite in accordance with operating mode "D", eg, as described herein with reference to FIG. 8–10.

At 1115, the communications satellite may operate in accordance with a first mode of operation. For example, in an illustrative example in which the first operating mode is the "D" operating mode (eg, "D" is the first forward link configuration), the communications satellite may use antenna R3 to receive forward uplink signals from access node terminals in coverage area R3, using LHCP and RHCP polarizations, and communications satellite 405 may use antenna R1 (to transmit forward downlink signals to user terminals in coverage area R1, also using LHCP and RHCP polarizations. That is, the first configuration may be associated with each of respective polarizations, with a first antenna for receiving each of the respective polarizations for guiding the first communication channel (eg, a forward communication channel) and a second antenna for transmitting each of the respective polarizations for directing the first communication channel.

At 1120, the controller may determine a second operating mode from a set of operating modes for providing communication services to service area terminals, wherein the second operating mode corresponds to a second configuration of a corresponding polarization with at least one of a set of antennas for receiving signals of each of the respective polarizations and at least one from a set of antennas for transmitting signals of each of the corresponding polarizations.

In some examples, the second mode of operation may differ from the first configuration. For example, communications satellite 405 may determine that it needs to switch to an operating mode that provides communication services to a different set of terminals that otherwise allocates resources among terminals in different coverage areas, thereby increasing capacity for terminals in some coverage areas that have different characteristics. interference (for example, different trade-offs between throughput and interference) and other similar factors. In the illustrative example flow 1100 shown in FIG. 11, the second operating mode and the second configuration may correspond to operating mode "A", for example, as described herein with reference to FIG. 4–7. In this example, operating mode "A" may correspond to a second forward link configuration used by communications satellite 405.

In some cases, the communications satellite may operate in accordance with the second operating mode for a period of time, eg, the number of frame time slots of a frame structure, for example, as described with reference to FIG. 2. In some examples, the controller may determine the number of frame structure time slots for operating the communications satellite in accordance with the second configuration. In other examples, the controller may define a sequence including multiple operating modes and corresponding durations of a number of time slots for each of the operating modes in the sequence (eg, a sequence of operating modes for the time slots of a cycle structure). In some cases, the sequence may be configured or pre-configured to provide communication services in accordance with certain known conditions.

At 1125, the communications satellite may be switched from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation. For example, a communications satellite may switch from an operating mode using a forward link configuration "D" (e.g., using each polarization to direct the forward link) to an operating mode using a forward link configuration "A" (e.g., using a single polarization to direct the direct communication channel). In a simple example, from operating mode "D0" to operating mode "A1", the communications satellite may switch from providing dual polarization in the forward link direction for the first coverage area and providing one polarization in the forward link direction and one polarization in the reverse link direction for first coverage area. In alternative embodiments, each of the first operating mode and the second operating mode may be any of the operating modes described herein.

In an additional or alternative embodiment, the controller may determine a dynamic switching event to switch operating modes. For example, the controller may determine which technical characteristic, such as a signal quality metric (eg, SNR, SINR, EIRP, etc.) satisfies a corresponding threshold for making such a switch. For example, the controller may determine that a signal quality score has fallen below a desired signal quality target for a particular communication channel (eg, forward link, reverse link) in a first mode of operation and may switch to a second mode of operation to improve the signal quality score, such that can lead to more effective communication channels.

At 1130, the communications satellite may operate in accordance with a second mode of operation. For example, in an illustrative example in which the second operating mode is the "A" operating mode, communications satellite 405 may use antenna R3 (e.g., reflector R3) to receive forward uplink signals from access node terminals in the third coverage area using polarization LHCP, and the communications satellite may use the R1 antenna (eg, the R1 reflector) to transmit forward downlink signals to user terminals in the R1 coverage area, also using LHCP polarization.

At 1135, the controller may determine a third operating mode from a set of operating modes for providing communication services to service area terminals, wherein the third operating mode corresponds to a third configuration of a corresponding polarization with at least one of a set of antennas for receiving signals of each of the respective polarizations and at least one from a set of antennas for transmitting signals of each of the corresponding polarizations.

In some cases, the third operating mode may be the same as the first operating mode. For example, the controller may determine that it is necessary to revert to the first mode of operation based on factors indicating that the first mode of operation provides improved resource allocation for a set of user terminals. For example, the controller may determine that it is necessary to switch the communication satellite back to the first mode of operation, as shown at 1140.

Alternatively, the third operating mode may be different from both the first operating mode and the second operating mode. For example, the third mode of operation may be any of the remaining modes of operation (eg, forward link configurations 310 "A" through "H" and optionally reverse link configuration 320) as described herein. For example, the third operating mode may be a forward link configuration "A" or "D" using a reverse link configuration 320 different from the first operating mode and the second operating mode. Accordingly, at 1145, the controller may switch the communications satellite from a second mode of operation to a third mode of operation.

At 1150, communications satellite 405 may operate in accordance with a third operating mode. For example, in an illustrative example in which the third operating mode is the "D2" operating mode, the communications satellite 405 may, in the same manner as in the first configuration (eg, "D0"), use antenna R3 (eg, reflector R3) to receive forward uplink signals from access node terminals using LHCP and RHCP polarization (eg, dual polarization), and communications satellite 405 may use antenna R1 (eg, reflector R1) to transmit forward downlink signals to user terminals in R1's coverage area, also using dual polarization LHCP/RHCP.

Additionally, on the other hand, in the third operating mode, the communications satellite 405 may operate using a reverse link configuration "2". Accordingly, communications satellite 405 may use antenna R3 to receive reverse uplink signals from user terminals in the third coverage area and relay corresponding reverse downlink signals to access node terminals in coverage area R3. In this example, reverse link signals (eg, reverse uplink signals and reverse downlink signals) may be transmitted using RHCP polarization (eg, in accordance with the "2" configuration as described herein).

In some cases, the communications satellite may operate in accordance with the third mode of operation for a certain period of time, for example, in accordance with a certain number of time slots for operation in the third mode of operation in accordance with the frame structure (eg, defined in 1135). In other examples, the communications satellite may operate in accordance with a third operating mode for a number of time slots in a sequence of operating modes (eg, for each of one or more cycles) that may be predetermined or configured.

In FIG. 12 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 1200 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 1200 of FIG. 12 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with an eighth operating mode, for example, a "B0" operating mode as described with reference to FIG. 3. The "B0" operating mode provides a second forward link configuration 312 "B" without a reverse link configuration.

According to the eighth operating mode shown in FIG. 12 (e.g., "B0" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices located in a second coverage area 425, which may be served by devices (e.g., access node terminals) located in a third coverage area 435 via forward links. communication channels 1240 and 1241.

As shown in the exemplary satellite communications system configuration 1200 in FIG. 12, signals may be transmitted between devices in the third coverage zone 435 and the second coverage zone 425 using dual polarization. For example, signals transmitted on the forward communication channel 1240 may be polarized using a first polarization, in this case LHCP, and signals transmitted on the forward communication channel 1241 may be polarized using a second polarization, in this case RHCP. Accordingly, the antennas of transmitting devices (eg, access node terminals) may use LHCP polarization to transmit signals on the forward communication channel 1240, and the antennas of corresponding receiving devices (eg, user terminals) may likewise use LHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the forward link 1240 communications. Similarly, antennas of transmitting devices (eg, access node terminals) may use RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the forward link 1241, and antennas of corresponding receiving devices (eg, user terminals) may use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the forward link 1241. .

As likewise described herein, the eighth operating mode is shown as the "B0" operating mode. As illustrated in FIG. 12 and likewise described with reference to FIG. 3, the designation "0" of the "B0" operating mode indicates that the eighth operating mode does not include reverse link configuration. Operating modes "B1", "B2" and "B3", as described below with reference to FIG. 13-15, for example, provide reverse link configurations in combination with the second forward link configuration 312 "B" shown and described herein in FIG. 12.

In FIG. 13 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 1300 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 1300 of FIG. 13 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a ninth operating mode, for example, a "B1" operating mode, as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. Mode of operation "B1" provides a first reverse link configuration 321 "1" in combination with a second forward link configuration 312 "B", as described with reference to FIG. 12.

According to the ninth operating mode shown in FIG. 13 (e.g., "B1" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices located in a second coverage area 425, which may be served by devices (e.g., access node terminals) located in a third coverage area 435 via forward links. communication channels 1240 and 1241, as similarly described with reference to FIG. 12 (eg, in accordance with the second forward channel configuration 312 "B").

In addition, in accordance with the ninth operating mode, the communications satellite 405 may relay reverse link signals between the first coverage area 415 and the third coverage area 435. Thus, reverse link communication services may be provided to devices (e.g., user terminals) located in the first coverage area 415 (e.g., which may include or at least partially overlap with the second coverage area 425) through access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the first reverse link configuration 321 "1"). For example, to establish a reverse uplink 1337, the communications satellite 405 may receive reverse uplink RHCP signals from devices (e.g., user terminals) in the first coverage area 415 via antenna R1 410 and a repeater corresponding to the reverse downlink RHCP signals to the devices. (eg, access node terminals) in the third coverage area 435 via antenna R3 430.

Accordingly, communications satellite 405 may be configured to provide dual-polarization forward communications links (eg, forward communications links 1240 and 1241) for the second coverage area 425 while providing one reverse communications link 1337 for the first coverage area. Through a first coverage area including or overlapping with a second coverage area, communications satellite 405 may also provide a reverse communications link to devices in the second coverage area by providing a forward communications link through one or both of forward communications links 1240 and 1241.

The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 1300 of FIG. 13 also displays forward uplink interference 1345 and forward uplink interference 1347. Forward uplink interference 1345 may represent interference between the uplink for forward link 1240 and the uplink for reverse link 1337 . However, since the forward link 1240 and the reverse link 1337 use orthogonal polarization, the forward uplink interference 1345 cannot be significantly increased compared to other operating modes and/or interference evaluation test levels due to polarization diversity (eg, - 22 dB).

Forward uplink interference 1347 may represent interference between the uplink for forward link 1241 and the uplink for reverse link 1337 . Because the forward link 1241 and the forward link 1337 do not use orthogonal polarizations and the third coverage area 435 is within the irradiation zone R1, the uplink of the forward link 1241 may cause significant uplink interference to the reverse link 1337 (e.g., on 22 dB worse than if the third coverage zone 435 is outside the irradiation zone R1). Beamforming the receive beams for the reverse link 1337 can minimize the forward uplink interference 1347, however, the power received at R1 from the forward uplink interference 1347 may reduce the signal strength for the reverse link 1337 and therefore reduce the ability to fully minimize the effects on reverse channel 1337 communication.

In FIG. 14 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 1400 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 1400 of FIG. 14 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a tenth operating mode, for example, a "B2" operating mode, as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. Mode of operation "B2" provides a second reverse link configuration 322 "2" in combination with a second forward link configuration 312 "B", as described with reference to FIG. 12.

According to the tenth operating mode shown in FIG. 14 (e.g., "B2" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices located in a second coverage area 425, which may be served by devices (e.g., access node terminals) located in a third coverage area 435 via forward links. communication channels 1240 and 1241, as similarly described with reference to FIG. 12 (eg, in accordance with the second forward channel configuration 312 "B").

In addition, in accordance with the tenth operating mode, the communications satellite 405 may relay reverse link signals between the second coverage area 425 and the third coverage area 435. Thus, reverse link communication services may be provided to devices (eg, user terminals) located in the second coverage area 425 through access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the second "2" configuration 322). For example, to establish a reverse uplink 1439, the communications satellite 405 may receive reverse uplink RHCP signals from devices (e.g., user terminals) in the second coverage area 425 through antenna R2 420 and a repeater corresponding to reverse downlink RHCP signals to the devices. (e.g., access node terminals) in the third coverage area 435 via antenna R3 430. Accordingly, the antennas of transmitting devices (e.g., user terminals) may apply RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the reverse communication channel 1439, and the antennas of receiving devices (e.g., node terminals) access) can use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the reverse link 1439.

In FIG. 15 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 1500 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 1500 in FIG. 15 provides an example of a hypothetical mode of operation that may be inoperable or unavailable in some implementations. The hypothetical operating mode described in FIG. 15 may be referred to as an eleventh operating mode, which may be, for example, an operating mode "B3" as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. Mode of operation "B3" attempts to implement a third reverse link configuration 323 "3" in combination with a second forward link configuration 312 "B", as described with reference to FIG. 12.

According to the eleventh operating mode shown in FIG. 15 (e.g., "B3" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices located in a second coverage area 425 that is served by devices (e.g., access node terminals) located in a third coverage area 435 via forward links. 1240 and 1241 connections, as similarly described with reference to FIGS. 12 (eg, in accordance with the second forward channel configuration 312 "B").

In addition, in accordance with the eleventh mode of operation, the communications satellite 405 provides reverse link communication services to devices located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the third reverse link configuration 323 "3"). For example, to establish a reverse communication channel 1542, the communications satellite 405 receives reverse uplink signals from devices (e.g., user terminals) in the third coverage area 435 through antenna R3 430 and repeaters corresponding to reverse downlink signals to other devices (e.g., terminals). access nodes) in the third coverage area 435 via antenna R3 430. According to the third reverse link configuration 323, signals transmitted on the reverse link 1542 may be polarized using one or two polarizations, such as RHCP. Accordingly, user terminals will use RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the reverse link 1542, and access node terminals will likewise use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the reverse link 1542.

However, the eleventh mode of operation cannot be practically implemented in the communications satellite 405 as described herein. As shown in FIG. 15, the RHCP antenna elements of antenna R3 may be configured to receive the forward uplink for forward communication channel 1241 from access node terminals in the third coverage area 435 and relay those signals through antenna R2 420. Thus, these elements may not be available for reception. RHCP reverse uplink signals from user terminals in the third coverage area 435. Thus, the eleventh operating mode illustrated in FIG. 15 is one example of a mode of operation that may not be suitable or available in some implementations. The configuration of the satellite communication system for other similar operating modes, as shown in the table in FIG. 3 (e.g. modes "D3", "E3", "F3", "G3" and "H3") are omitted for brevity.

In FIG. 16 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 1600 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 400 of FIG. 4 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a twelfth operating mode, eg, a "C0" operating mode, as described with reference to FIG. 3. The "C0" operating mode provides the third forward link configuration 313 "C" without the reverse link configuration.

According to the twelfth operating mode shown in FIG. 16 (e.g., "C0" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices (e.g., user terminals) located in a third coverage area 435 that may be served by other devices (e.g., access node terminals) located in the third coverage zone 435 through a direct communication channel 1643.

As shown in the exemplary satellite communications system configuration 1600 in FIG. 16, signals transmitted on the forward link 1643 may be polarized using a first polarization, which is LHCP. Accordingly, antennas of transmitting devices (e.g., access node terminals) may employ LHCP polarization to transmit signals on the forward communication channel 1643, and antennas of receiving devices (e.g., user terminals) may likewise use LHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the forward communication channel 1643 .

As similarly described herein, the twelfth operating mode is shown as the "C0" operating mode. As illustrated in FIG. 16 and likewise described with reference to FIG. 3, the designation "0" of the "C0" operating mode indicates that the twelfth operating mode does not include reverse link configuration. The operating modes "C1", "C2" and "C3" are as described below with reference to FIGS. 17-19, for example, provide reverse link configurations in combination with the third forward link configuration 313 "C" shown and described herein in FIG. 16.

In FIG. 17 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 1700 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 1700 of FIG. 17 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a thirteenth operating mode, for example, a "C1" operating mode, as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. Mode of operation "C1" provides a first reverse link configuration 321 "1" in combination with a third forward link configuration 313 "C", as described with reference to FIG. 16.

According to the thirteenth operating mode shown in FIG. 17 (e.g., "C1" operating mode), the communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to user terminals located in the third coverage area 435 via access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 via the forward link 1643 as likewise described with reference to FIG. 16 (eg, in accordance with the third forward channel configuration 313 "C").

In addition, in accordance with the thirteenth operating mode, the communication satellite 405 can relay reverse communication channel signals between the first coverage area 415 and the third coverage area 435 via the reverse communication channel 1737. Thus, reverse link communication services may be provided to devices (eg, user terminals) located in the first coverage area 415 (eg, which may include user terminals in a third coverage area providing forward link communication services via the forward link 1643) via access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the first reverse link configuration 321 "1"). For example, to establish a reverse communications channel 1737, the communications satellite 405 may receive reverse uplink RHCP communications signals from devices (e.g., user terminals) in the first coverage area 415 through antenna R1 410 and a repeater corresponding to the reverse downlink RHCP communications signals to the devices (e.g., access node terminals) in the third coverage area 435 via antenna R3 430. Accordingly, user terminals may use RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the reverse communication channel 1737, and access node terminals may use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the reverse communication channel 1737 communications.

The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 1700 of FIG. 17 also displays forward uplink interference 1745. For example, forward uplink interference 1745 may represent interference between the uplink for forward link 1643 and the uplink for reverse link 1737. However, since the forward link 1643 and the reverse link 1737 use orthogonal polarization, the forward uplink interference 1745 cannot be significantly increased compared to other operating modes and/or interference evaluation test levels due to polarization diversity (eg, 22 dB). In an additional or alternative embodiment, in some cases, the EIRP used for transmission on the forward link 1643 may be relatively increased (e.g., the C/I ratio for the forward link 1643 may be increased from 3 to 8 dB), which may also , in some cases, cause downlink interference (eg, 14 dB compared to modes in which the downlink is not transmitted by the R3 430 antenna).

In FIG. 18 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 1800 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 1800 of FIG. 18 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a fourteenth operating mode, for example, a "C2" operating mode, as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. Mode of operation "C2" provides a second reverse link configuration 322 "2" in combination with a third forward link configuration 313 "C", as described with reference to FIG. 16.

According to the fourteenth operating mode shown in FIG. 18 (eg, "C1" operating mode), the communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to user terminals located in the third coverage area 435 through access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 via the forward link 1643, as like manner is described with reference to FIG. 16 (eg, in accordance with the third forward channel configuration 313 "C").

In addition, in accordance with the fourteenth operating mode, the communication satellite 405 can relay reverse link signals between the second coverage area 425 and the third coverage area 435. Thus, reverse link communication services may be provided to devices (eg, user terminals) located in the second coverage area 425 through access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the second "2" configuration 322). For example, to establish a reverse communications channel 1839, the communications satellite 405 may receive reverse uplink RHCP communications signals from devices (e.g., user terminals) in the second coverage area 425 via antenna R2 420 and a repeater corresponding to the reverse downlink RHCP communications signals to the devices (e.g., access node terminals) in the third coverage area 435 via antenna R3 430. Accordingly, the antennas of transmitting devices (e.g., user terminals) may apply RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the reverse communication channel 1839, and the antennas of receiving devices (e.g., node terminals) access) can use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the reverse link 1839.

In some cases, the fourteenth operating mode shown in FIG. 18 may include downlink interference that can potentially degrade the signal quality of signals transmitted in the third coverage area 435 via communications satellite 405. For example, devices in the third coverage area 435 may receive signals on the reverse link 1839 and the downlink portion of the forward link 1643 using time-frequency resources that may at least partially overlap with the time-frequency resources in the third forward coverage area 435 channel 1643 communication. However, as shown for the fourteenth mode of operation, the forward link 1643 and the reverse link 1839 may use orthogonal polarization, for example, providing polarization diversity. Accordingly, downlink interference may not be significantly increased compared to other operating modes and/or interference evaluation test levels (as similarly indicated in the table described with reference to FIG. 3). In an additional or alternative embodiment, in some cases, the EIRP used for transmission on the forward link 1643 may be relatively increased (e.g., the C/I ratio for the forward link 1643 may be increased from 3 to 8 dB), which may in some cases, increase the level of downlink interference (eg, 14 dB compared to evaluation tests) on the return link 1839.

In FIG. 19 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 1900 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 1900 of FIG. 19 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a fifteenth operating mode, for example, a "C3" operating mode, as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. Mode of operation "C3" provides a third reverse link configuration 323 "3" in combination with a third forward link configuration 313 "C", as described with reference to FIG. 16.

According to the fifteenth operating mode shown in FIG. 19 (e.g., "C1" operating mode), the communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to user terminals located in the third coverage area 435 by means of access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 via the forward link 1643, as like manner is described with reference to FIG. 16 (eg, in accordance with the third forward channel configuration 313 "C").

In addition, in accordance with the fifteenth operating mode, the communication satellite 405 can relay reverse link signals between user terminals in the third coverage area 435 and access node terminals in the third coverage area 435. Thus, reverse link communication services may be provided to user terminals located in the third coverage area 435 through access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the third "3" configuration 323). For example, to establish a reverse communication channel 1942, the communications satellite 405 may receive reverse uplink signals with RHCP from user terminals in the third coverage area 435 through antenna R3 430 and a repeater corresponding to the reverse downlink signals to the access node terminals in the third coverage area 435 via antenna R3 430.

In some cases, the fifteenth operating mode shown in FIG. 19 may include downlink interference that can potentially degrade the signal quality of signals transmitted in the third coverage area 435 via communications satellite 405. For example, user terminals in the third coverage area 435 may receive signals on the downlink portion of the forward link 1643 using time-frequency resources that may at least partially overlap with the time-frequency resources used by the downlink portion of the reverse link 1942 . However, as shown for the fifteenth mode of operation, the forward link 1643 and the reverse link 1942 may use orthogonal polarization, for example, providing polarization diversity. Accordingly, in some cases, downlink interference may not be significantly increased compared to other operating modes and/or interference evaluation test levels (as similarly indicated in the table described with reference to FIG. 3). In an additional or alternative embodiment, in some cases, the EIRP used for transmission on the forward link 1643 may be relatively increased (e.g., the C/I ratio for the forward link 1643 may be increased from 3 to 8 dB), which may in some cases, increase the downlink interference level (eg 14 dB compared to evaluation tests).

In FIG. 20 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 2000 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2000 in FIG. 20 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a sixteenth operating mode, eg, an "E0" operating mode, as described with reference to FIG. 3. The "E0" operating mode provides the fifth forward link configuration 315 "E" without the reverse link configuration.

According to the sixteenth operating mode shown in FIG. 20 (e.g., "E0" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices located in a first coverage area 415 and a second coverage area 425, each of which may be served by devices (e.g., access node terminals) located in the third coverage zone 435 through direct communication channels 2036 and 2041, respectively.

As shown in the exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2000 in FIG. 20, signals may be transmitted between devices in the third coverage zone 435 and corresponding devices in the first coverage zone 415 and the second coverage zone 425 using dual polarization. For example, signals transmitted on the forward link 2036 may be polarized using a first polarization, in this case LHCP, and signals transmitted on the forward link 2041 may be polarized using a second polarization, in this case RHCP. Accordingly, the antennas of transmitting devices (eg, access node terminals) may employ LHCP polarization to transmit signals on the forward communication channel 2036, and the antennas of corresponding receiving devices (eg, user terminals) may likewise use LHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the forward link 2036 communications. Similarly, the antennas of transmitting devices may use RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the forward link 2041, and the antennas of corresponding receiving devices may use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the forward link 2041.

The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2000 in FIG. 20 also illustrates noise and IM 2046 that can potentially degrade the signal quality of signals transmitted in the third coverage area 435 via communications satellite 405. As shown for the sixteenth mode of operation, the forward link 2036 and the forward link 2041 may utilize orthogonal polarization, for example, providing polarization diversity. Accordingly, noise and IM 2046 may not be significantly increased compared to other operating modes and/or interference evaluation test levels.

As likewise described herein, the sixteenth operating mode is shown as the "E0" operating mode. As illustrated in FIG. 20 and likewise described with reference to FIG. 3, the designation “0” of the “E0” operating mode indicates that the sixteenth operating mode does not include reverse link configuration. Operating modes "E1" and "E2" as described below with reference to FIG. 21 and 22, for example, provide reverse link configurations in combination with the fifth forward link configuration 315 "E" shown and described herein in FIG. 20.

In FIG. 21 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 2100 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2100 of FIG. 21 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a seventeenth operating mode, for example, an "E1" operating mode, as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. The "E1" operating mode provides a first reverse link configuration 321 "1" in combination with a fifth forward link configuration 315 "E", as described with reference to FIG. 20.

According to the seventeenth operating mode shown in FIG. 21 (e.g., "E1" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices located in a first coverage area 415 and a second coverage area 425, each of which may be served by devices (e.g., access node terminals) located in the third coverage area 435 via forward communication channels 2036 and 2041, respectively, as similarly described with reference to FIG. 20 (eg, in accordance with the fifth forward channel configuration 315 "E").

In accordance with the seventeenth mode of operation, the communications satellite 405 may relay reverse link signals between the first coverage area 415 and the third coverage area 435 in addition to the forward links 2036 and 2041. Thus, reverse link communication services may be provided to devices (eg, user terminals) located in the first coverage area 415 through access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the first reverse link configuration 321 "1" ). For example, to establish a reverse communication channel 2137, the communications satellite 405 may receive reverse uplink RHCP communication signals from devices (e.g., user terminals) in the first coverage area 415 through antenna R1 410 and a repeater corresponding to the reverse downlink RHCP communication signals to the terminals. access nodes in the third coverage area 435 via antenna R3 430. Accordingly, antennas of transmitting devices (eg, user terminals) can use RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the reverse communication channel 2137, and antennas of receiving devices (eg, access node terminals) can use the polarization RHCP for receiving polarized signals over the reverse communication channel 2137.

The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2100 of FIG. 21 also displays both forward uplink interference 2147 and noise and IM 2146. Forward uplink interference 2147 may represent interference between the uplink for forward link 2041 and the uplink for reverse link 2137. Because the forward link 2041 and the forward link 2137 do not use orthogonal polarizations and the third coverage area 435 is within the irradiation zone R1, the uplink of the forward link 2041 may cause significant uplink interference to the reverse link 2137 (e.g., on 22 dB worse than if the third coverage zone 435 is outside the irradiation zone R1). Beamforming the receive beams for the reverse link 2137 can minimize the forward uplink interference 2147, however, the power received at R1 from the forward uplink interference 2147 may reduce the signal strength for the reverse link 2137 and therefore reduce the ability to completely minimize the effects on reverse communication channel 2137. The noise and IM 2146 may be similar to the noise and IM 2046 described above and therefore may not be significantly increased compared to other operating modes and/or interference evaluation test levels.

In FIG. 22 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 2200 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2200 of FIG. 22 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for the communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with the eighteenth operating mode, for example, the "E2" operating mode, as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. The "E2" mode of operation provides a second reverse link configuration 322 "2" in combination with a fifth forward link configuration 315 "E", as described with reference to FIG. 20.

According to the eighteenth operating mode shown in FIG. 22 (e.g., "E2" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices located in a first coverage area 415 and a second coverage area 425, each of which may be served by devices (e.g., access node terminals) located in the third coverage area 435 via forward communication channels 2036 and 2041, respectively, as similarly described with reference to FIG. 20 (eg, in accordance with the fifth forward channel configuration 315 "E").

In addition, in accordance with the eighteenth operating mode, the communication satellite 405 can relay reverse communication channel signals between the second coverage area 425 and the third coverage area 435 via the reverse communication channel 2239. Thus, reverse link communication services may be provided to devices (eg, user terminals) located in the second coverage area 425 through access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the second "2" configuration 322). For example, to establish a reverse communications channel 2239, the communications satellite 405 may receive reverse uplink RHCP communications signals from devices (e.g., user terminals) in the second coverage area 425 via antenna R2 420 and a repeater corresponding to the reverse downlink RHCP communications signals to the devices. (e.g., access node terminals) in the third coverage area 435 via antenna R3 430. Accordingly, the antennas of transmitting devices (e.g., user terminals) can apply RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the reverse communication channel 2239, and the antennas of receiving devices (e.g., node terminals) access) can use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the reverse link 2239.

The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2200 of FIG. 22 also displays noise and IM 2246, which may be similar to noise and IM 2046, and therefore may not be significantly increased compared to other operating modes and/or interference evaluation test levels.

In FIG. 23 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 2300 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2300 of FIG. 23 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a nineteenth operating mode, for example, an "F0" operating mode, as described with reference to FIG. 3. The "F0" operating mode provides the sixth forward link configuration 316 "F" without the reverse link configuration.

According to the nineteenth operating mode shown in FIG. 23 (e.g., "F0" operating mode), the communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices located in the first coverage area 415 via the forward link 2338 and the second area 425 via the forward link 2340, each of which may be served devices (eg, access node terminals) located in the third coverage area 435.

Signals transmitted on the forward link 2340 may be polarized using a first polarization, in this case LHCP, and signals transmitted on the forward link 2338 may be polarized using a second polarization, in this case RHCP. Accordingly, the antennas of transmitting devices (eg, access node terminals) may use LHCP polarization to transmit signals on the forward communication channel 2340, and the antennas of corresponding receiving devices (eg, user terminals) may similarly use LHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the forward link 2340 communications. Likewise, antennas of transmitting devices may use RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the forward link 2338, and antennas of corresponding receiving devices may use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the forward link 2338.

The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2300 of FIG. 23 also illustrates noise and IM 2348 that can potentially degrade the signal quality of signals transmitted in the third coverage area 435 via communications satellite 405. As shown for the nineteenth mode of operation, the forward link 2338 and the forward link 2340 may utilize orthogonal polarization, for example, providing polarization diversity. Accordingly, noise and IM 2348 may not be significantly increased compared to other operating modes and/or interference evaluation test levels.

As likewise described herein, the nineteenth operating mode is shown as the "F0" operating mode. As illustrated in FIG. 23 and likewise described with reference to FIG. 3, the designation "0" of the operating mode "F0" indicates that the nineteenth operating mode does not include the reverse link configuration. The operating modes "F1" and "F2" are as described below with reference to FIG. 24 and 25, for example, provide reverse link configurations in combination with the sixth forward link configuration 316 "F" shown and described herein in FIG. 23.

In FIG. 24 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 2400 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2400 in FIG. 24 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for the communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with the twentieth operating mode, for example, the "F1" operating mode, as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. The "F1" operating mode provides a first reverse link configuration 321 "1" in combination with a sixth forward link configuration 316 "F", as described with reference to FIG. 23.

According to the twentieth operating mode shown in FIG. 24 (e.g., "F1" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices located in a first coverage area 415 and a second coverage area 425, each of which may be served by devices (e.g., access node terminals) located in the third coverage area 435 via forward communication links 2338 and 2340, respectively, as similarly described with reference to FIG. 23 (eg, in accordance with the sixth forward channel configuration 316 "F").

In addition, in accordance with the twentieth operating mode, the communication satellite 405 may relay reverse link signals between the first coverage area 415 and the third coverage area 435. Thus, reverse link communication services may be provided to devices (eg, user terminals) located in the first coverage area 415 through access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the first reverse link configuration 321 "1" ). For example, to establish a reverse communication channel 2437, the communications satellite 405 may receive reverse uplink RHCP communication signals from devices (e.g., user terminals) in the first coverage area 415 through antenna R1 410 and a repeater corresponding to the reverse downlink RHCP communication signals to the devices (eg, access node terminals) in the third coverage area 435 (eg, access node terminals) via antenna R3 430. Accordingly, antennas of transmitting devices (eg, user terminals) may apply RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the reverse communication channel 2437, wherein the antennas Receiving devices (eg, access node terminals) can use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the reverse link 2437.

The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2400 of FIG. 24 also displays forward uplink interference 2447 and forward downlink interference 2448. Forward uplink interference 2447 may represent interference between the uplink for forward link 2338 and the uplink for reverse link 2437 . Because the forward link 2338 and the forward link 2437 do not use orthogonal polarizations and the third coverage area 435 is within the irradiation zone R1, the uplink of the forward link 2338 may cause significant uplink interference to the reverse link 2437 (e.g., on 22 dB worse than if the third coverage zone 435 is outside the irradiation zone R1). Beamforming the receive beams for the reverse link 2437 can minimize the forward uplink interference 2447, however, the power received at R1 from the forward uplink interference 2447 may reduce the signal strength for the reverse link 2437 and therefore reduce the ability to fully minimize the effects on reverse communication channel 2437.

Forward downlink interference 2448 may represent interference between the downlink of forward link 2338 and the downlink for reverse link 2437, which do not use orthogonal polarizations. The downlink interference 2448 may be reduced due to the lower gain of R1 compared to R3, but may still cause significant interference if signal energy from the downlink of the forward link 2338 is present in the third coverage area 435. Beamforming of the forward link 2338 may be used to minimize interference 2448 of the forward downlink (eg, minimizing the signal energy from the forward link 2338 within the third coverage area 435). In an additional or alternative embodiment, the MCS and/or coding rate for the forward link 2338 or the reverse link 2437 may be adapted to account for interference. However, this may correspondingly reduce the data transfer rate for these communication systems. In an alternative embodiment, if the communication system does not employ an interference minimization procedure, the interference may reduce the signal quality score (eg, reduce the SNR or SINR) for the associated communication, thereby similarly reducing the effective data rate for the communication.

In FIG. 25 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 2500 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2500 in FIG. 25 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for the communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with the twenty-first operating mode, for example, the "F2" operating mode, as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. Mode of operation "F2" provides a second reverse link configuration 322 "2" in combination with a sixth forward link configuration 316 "F", as described with reference to FIG. 23.

According to the twenty-first operating mode shown in FIG. 25 (e.g., "F2" operating mode), the communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices located in a first coverage area 415 and a second coverage area 425, each of which may be served by devices (e.g., access node terminals) located in the third coverage area 435 via forward communication links 2338 and 2340, respectively, as similarly described with reference to FIG. 23 (eg, in accordance with the sixth forward channel configuration 316 "F").

Additionally, in accordance with the twenty-first mode of operation, the communications satellite 405 may relay reverse link signals between the second coverage area 425 and the third coverage area 435. Thus, reverse link communication services may be provided to devices (eg, user terminals) located in the second coverage area 425 through access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the second "2" configuration 322). For example, to establish a reverse communications channel 2539, the communications satellite 405 may receive reverse uplink RHCP communications signals from devices (e.g., user terminals) in the second coverage area 425 via antenna R2 420 and a repeater corresponding to reverse downlink RHCP communications signals to the devices (e.g., access node terminals) in the third coverage area 435 via antenna R3 430. Accordingly, the antennas of transmitting devices (e.g., user terminals) can apply RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the reverse communication channel 2539, and the antennas of receiving devices (e.g., node terminals) access) can use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the reverse link 2539.

The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2500 in FIG. 25 also displays forward downlink interference 2548, which may represent interference between the downlink of forward link 2338 and the downlink of reverse link 2539, which do not use orthogonal polarizations. The downlink interference 2548 may be reduced due to the lower gain of R1 compared to R3, but may still cause significant interference if signal energy from the downlink of the forward link 2338 is present in the third coverage area 435. Beamforming of the forward link 2338 may be used to minimize interference 2548 of the forward downlink (eg, minimizing the signal energy from the forward link 2338 within the third coverage area 435). In an additional or alternative embodiment, the MCS and/or coding rate for the forward link 2338 or the reverse link 2539 may be adapted to account for interference. However, this may correspondingly reduce the data transfer rate for these communication systems. In an alternative embodiment, if the communication system does not employ an interference minimization procedure, the interference may reduce the signal quality score (eg, reduce the SNR or SINR) for the associated communication, thereby similarly reducing the effective data rate for the communication.

In FIG. 26 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 2600 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2600 of FIG. 26 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a twenty-second operating mode, for example, a "G0" operating mode, as described with reference to FIG. 3. The "G0" operating mode provides the seventh forward link configuration 317 "G" without the reverse link configuration.

According to the twenty-second operating mode shown in FIG. 26 (e.g., "G0" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices (e.g., user terminals) located in the first coverage area 415 and devices (e.g., user terminals) located in the third coverage area 435 , each of which can be served by access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 through forward communication channels 2638 and 2643, respectively.

As shown in the exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2600 in FIG. 26, signals transmitted on the forward link 2643 may be polarized using a first polarization, in this case LHCP, and signals transmitted on the forward link 2638 may be polarized using a second polarization, in this case RHCP. Accordingly, antennas of transmitting devices may use LHCP polarization to transmit signals on the forward link 2643, and antennas of receiving devices may likewise use LHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the forward link 2643. Likewise, antennas of transmitting devices may use RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the forward link 2638, and antennas of corresponding receiving devices may use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the forward link 2638.

The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2600 of FIG. 26 also depicts downlink interference 2648, which may cause a relatively small degree of degradation of the downlink portion of the forward link 2643 due to the forward link 2638. Thus, even the formation of a beam of beams in the forward communication channel 2638 in the third coverage area 435 cannot cause significant interference. As shown for the twenty-second mode of operation, the forward link 2638 and the forward link 2643 may utilize orthogonal polarization, for example, providing polarization diversity. Accordingly, forward link interference may not be significantly increased compared to other operating modes and/or interference evaluation test levels.

As likewise described herein, the twenty-second operating mode is shown as the "G0" operating mode. As illustrated in FIG. 26 and likewise described with reference to FIG. 3, the designation "0" of the "G0" operating mode indicates that the twenty-second operating mode does not include the reverse link configuration. Operating modes "G1" and "G2" as described below with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28, for example, provide reverse link configurations in combination with the seventh forward link "G" configuration 317 shown and described herein in FIG. 26.

In FIG. 27 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 2700 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2700 of FIG. 27 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for the communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with the twenty-third operating mode, for example, the "G1" operating mode, as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. The "G1" operating mode provides a first reverse link configuration 321 "1" in combination with a seventh forward link configuration 317 "G", as described with reference to FIG. 26.

According to the twenty-third operating mode shown in FIG. 27 (e.g., "G1" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices (e.g., user terminals) located in the first coverage area 415 and devices (e.g., user terminals) located in the third coverage area 435 , each of which may be served by access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 via forward communication links 2638 and 2643, respectively, as similarly described with reference to FIG. 26 (eg, in accordance with the seventh forward channel configuration 317 "G").

Additionally, in accordance with the twenty-third operating mode, the communications satellite 405 may relay reverse link signals between the second coverage area 415 and the third coverage area 435. Thus, reverse link communication services may be provided to devices (eg, user terminals) located in the first coverage area 415 through access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the first reverse link configuration 321 "1" ). For example, to establish a reverse communication channel 2737, the communication satellite 405 may receive reverse uplink RHCP communication signals from devices (e.g., user terminals) in the first coverage area 415 through antenna R1 410 and a repeater corresponding to the reverse downlink RHCP communication signals to the devices (e.g., access node terminals) in the third coverage area 435 via antenna R3 430. Accordingly, the antennas of transmitting devices (e.g., user terminals) may apply RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the reverse communication channel 2737, and the antennas of receiving devices (e.g., node terminals) access) can use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals over the reverse link 2737.

The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2700 of FIG. 27 also displays forward uplink interference 2747 and forward downlink interference 2748. Forward uplink interference 2747 may represent interference between the uplink for forward link 2638 and the uplink for reverse link 2737 . Because the forward link 2638 and the forward link 2737 do not use orthogonal polarizations and the third coverage area 435 is within the irradiation zone R1, the uplink of the forward link 2638 may cause significant uplink interference to the reverse link 2737 (e.g., on 22 dB worse than if the third coverage zone 435 is outside the irradiation zone R1). Beamforming the receive beams for the reverse link 2737 can minimize the forward uplink interference 2747, however, the power received at R1 from the forward uplink interference 2747 may reduce the signal strength for the reverse link 2737 and therefore reduce the ability to fully minimize the effects on reverse communication channel 2737.

Forward downlink interference 2748 may represent interference between the downlink of forward link 2638 and the downlink for reverse link 2737, which do not use orthogonal polarizations. The downlink interference 2748 may be reduced due to the lower gain of R1 compared to R3, but may still cause significant interference if signal energy from the downlink of the forward link 2638 is present in the third coverage area 435. Beamforming of the forward link 2638 may be used to minimize interference 2748 of the forward downlink (eg, minimizing the signal energy from the forward link 2638 within the third coverage area 435). In an additional or alternative embodiment, the MCS and/or coding rate for the forward link 2638 or the reverse link 2737 may be adapted to account for interference. However, this may correspondingly reduce the data transfer rate for these communication systems. In an alternative embodiment, if the communication system does not employ an interference minimization procedure, the interference may reduce the signal quality score (eg, reduce the SNR or SINR) for the associated communication, thereby similarly reducing the effective data rate for the communication.

In FIG. 28 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 2800 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2800 of FIG. 28 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a twenty-fourth operating mode, for example, a "G2" operating mode, as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. The "G2" mode of operation provides a second reverse link configuration 322 "2" in combination with a seventh forward link configuration 317 "G", as described with reference to FIG. 26.

According to the twenty-fourth operating mode shown in FIG. 28 (e.g., "G2" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices (e.g., user terminals) located in the first coverage area 415 and devices (e.g., access node terminals and/or user terminals) located in the third coverage area 435, each of which may be served by other devices (eg, additional access node terminals) located in the third coverage area 435 through direct communication channels 2638 and 2643, respectively, as similarly described with reference to FIG. 26 (eg, in accordance with the seventh forward channel configuration 317 "G").

Additionally, in accordance with the twenty-fourth operating mode, the communications satellite 405 may relay reverse link signals between the second coverage area 425 and the third coverage area 435. Thus, reverse link communication services may be provided to devices (eg, user terminals) located in the second coverage area 425 through access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the second "2" configuration 322). For example, to establish a reverse uplink 2839, the communications satellite 405 may receive reverse uplink RHCP signals from devices (e.g., user terminals) in the second coverage area 425 via antenna R2 420 and a repeater corresponding to the reverse downlink RHCP signals to the devices. (e.g., access node terminals) in the third coverage area 435 via antenna R3 430. Accordingly, the antennas of transmitting devices (e.g., user terminals) can apply RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the reverse communication channel 2839, and the antennas of receiving devices (e.g., node terminals) access) can use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the reverse link 2839.

The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2800 of FIG. 28 also displays forward downlink interference 2848, which may represent interference between the downlink of forward link 2638 and the downlink of reverse link 2839, which do not use orthogonal polarizations. The downlink interference 2848 may be reduced due to the lower gain of R1 compared to R3, but may still cause significant interference if signal energy from the downlink of the forward link 2638 is present in the third coverage area 435. Beamforming of the forward link 2638 may be used to minimize interference 2848 of the forward downlink (eg, minimizing the signal energy from the forward link 2638 within the third coverage area 435). In an additional or alternative embodiment, the MCS and/or coding rate for the forward link 2638 or the reverse link 2839 may be adapted to account for interference. However, this may correspondingly reduce the data transfer rate for these communication systems. In an alternative embodiment, if the communication system does not employ an interference minimization procedure, the interference may reduce the signal quality score (eg, reduce the SNR or SINR) for the associated communication, thereby likewise reducing the effective data rate for the communication.

In FIG. 29 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 2900 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2900 of FIG. 29 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a twenty-fifth operating mode, for example, an "H0" operating mode as described with reference to FIG. 3. The "H0" operating mode provides the eighth configuration 318 "H" of the forward link without the reverse link configuration.

According to the twenty-fifth operating mode shown in FIG. 29 (e.g., "H0" operating mode), the communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices (e.g., user terminals) located in the second coverage area 425 and devices (e.g., user terminals) located in the third coverage area 435 , each of which can be served by access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 through forward communication channels 2941 and 2943, respectively.

As shown in the exemplary satellite communications system configuration 2900 in FIG. 29, signals transmitted on the forward communication channel 2943 may be polarized using a first polarization, in this case LHCP, and signals transmitted on the forward communication channel 2941 may be polarized using a second polarization, in this case RHCP. Accordingly, antennas of transmitting devices may use LHCP polarization to transmit signals on the forward link 2943, and antennas of receiving devices may likewise use LHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the forward link 2943. Likewise, antennas of transmitting devices may use RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the forward communication channel 2941, and antennas of corresponding receiving devices may use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the forward communication channel 2941.

As likewise described herein, the twenty-fifth operating mode is shown as the "H0" operating mode. As illustrated in FIG. 29 and likewise described with reference to FIG. 3, the designation "0" of the "H0" operating mode indicates that the twenty-fifth operating mode does not include reverse link configuration. Operating modes "H1" and "H2" as described below with reference to FIG. 30 and 31, for example, provide reverse link configurations in combination with the eighth forward link configuration 318 "H" shown and described herein in FIG. 29.

In FIG. 30 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 3000 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 3000 in FIG. 30 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a twenty-sixth operating mode, for example, an "H1" operating mode, as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. The "H1" operating mode provides a first reverse link configuration 321 "1" in combination with an eighth forward link configuration 318 "H", as described with reference to FIG. 29.

According to the twenty-sixth operating mode shown in FIG. 30 (e.g., "H1" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices (e.g., user terminals) located in the second coverage area 425 and devices (e.g., access node terminals and/or user terminals) located in the third coverage area 435, each of which may be served by other devices (eg, additional access node terminals) located in the third coverage area 435 through direct communication channels 2941 and 2943, respectively, as similarly described with reference to FIG. 29 (eg, in accordance with the eighth forward channel configuration 318 "H").

In addition, in accordance with the twenty-sixth operating mode, the communications satellite 405 may relay reverse link signals between the second coverage area 415 and the third coverage area 435. Thus, reverse link communication services may be provided to devices (eg, user terminals) located in the first coverage area 415 through access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the first reverse link configuration 321 "1" ). For example, to establish a reverse communication channel 3037, the communication satellite 405 may receive reverse uplink RHCP communication signals from devices (e.g., user terminals) in the first coverage area 415 through antenna R1 410 and a repeater corresponding to the reverse downlink RHCP communication signals to the devices (e.g., access node terminals) in the third coverage area 435 via antenna R3 430. Accordingly, the antennas of transmitting devices (e.g., user terminals) can apply RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the reverse communication channel 3037, and the antennas of receiving devices (e.g., node terminals) access) can use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals over the reverse link 3037.

The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 3000 in FIG. 30 also displays forward uplink interference 3047, which may represent interference between the uplink for forward link 2941 and the uplink for reverse link 3037. Because the forward link 2941 and the forward link 3037 do not use orthogonal polarizations and the third coverage area 435 is within the irradiation zone R1, the uplink of the forward link 2941 may cause significant uplink interference to the reverse link 3037 (e.g., on 22 dB worse than if the third coverage zone 435 is outside the irradiation zone R1). Beamforming the receive beams for the reverse link 3037 can minimize the forward uplink interference 3047, however, the power received at R1 from the forward uplink interference 3047 may reduce the signal strength for the reverse link 3037 and therefore reduce the ability to fully minimize the effects on reverse channel 3037 communication.

In FIG. 31 illustrates a configuration of a satellite communications system 3100 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The exemplary satellite communications system configuration 3100 of FIG. 31 illustrates an example of communication channels and procedures for a communication satellite 405 to operate in accordance with a twenty-seventh operating mode, for example, an "H2" operating mode, as indicated in the table in FIG. 3. The "H2" mode of operation provides a second reverse link configuration 322 "2" in combination with an eighth forward link configuration 318 "H", as described with reference to FIG. 29.

According to the twenty-seventh operating mode shown in FIG. 31 (e.g., "H2" operating mode), communications satellite 405 may provide forward link communication services to devices (e.g., user terminals) located in the second coverage area 425 and devices (e.g., access node terminals and/or user terminals) located in the third coverage area 435, each of which may be served by other devices (eg, additional access node terminals) located in the third coverage area 435 through direct communication channels 2941 and 2943, respectively, as similarly described with reference to FIG. 29 (eg, in accordance with the eighth forward channel configuration 318 "H").

Additionally, in accordance with the twenty-seventh operating mode, the communications satellite 405 may relay reverse link signals between the second coverage area 425 and the third coverage area 435. Thus, reverse link communication services may be provided to devices (eg, user terminals) located in the second coverage area 425 through access node terminals located in the third coverage area 435 (eg, in accordance with the second "2" configuration 322). For example, to establish a reverse communication channel 3139, the communications satellite 405 may receive reverse RHCP uplink signals from devices (e.g., user terminals) in the second coverage area 425 and a repeater corresponding to the reverse RHCP downlink signals to the devices (e.g., terminals). access nodes) in the third coverage zone 435. Accordingly, antennas of transmitting devices (eg, user terminals) can use RHCP polarization to transmit signals on the reverse link 3139, and antennas of receiving devices (eg, access node terminals) can use RHCP polarization to receive polarized signals on the reverse link 3139.

In FIG. 32 illustrates an exemplary diagram of a circuit architecture 3200 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Circuit architecture 3200 includes an interconnect subsystem 3205 that connects a group of transceivers between corresponding antennas of a communications satellite antenna assembly. In some cases, transceivers may alternatively be called transmit/receive modules (TRMs) or repeaters (or may be included as aspects of one or more repeaters). In some examples, circuit architecture 3200 may be implemented using aspects of communications satellites and satellite communications systems, as described with reference to FIG. 1–31.

As similarly described herein, communications satellites may include an antenna assembly configured to transmit signals of appropriate polarizations to devices (eg, access node terminals and user terminals) within a group of respective coverage areas through a group of respective antennas. Circuit architecture 3200 includes a first set of transceivers 3210 that may be coupled to a first antenna (including, e.g., reflector R1) for a first coverage area (e.g., coverage area R1), a second set of transceivers 3215 that may be coupled to a second antenna (including , eg, reflector R2) for a second coverage area (eg, coverage area R2) and a third set of transceivers 3220 that may be coupled to a third antenna (including, eg, reflector R3) for a third coverage area (eg, coverage area R3). Each of the transceivers of the respective sets of transceivers may be coupled to a corresponding feed element of a feed element array for a corresponding antenna, wherein each antenna may comprise an array of multiple feed elements (eg, any number of one to thousands or more feed elements).

Each feed element of a respective antenna may include a port associated with a first or second corresponding polarization (eg, LHCP or RHCP). For example, each antenna may include a first set of feed elements comprising a first set of ports for a first polarization (eg, LHCP) and a second set of feed elements comprising a second set of ports for a second polarization (eg, RHCP). In an additional or alternative embodiment, the antenna may utilize dual polarization, in which case the feed elements may include a polarizer that can combine and separate signals between LHCP and RHCP polarizations (e.g., each feed element may simultaneously contain LHCP and RHCP ports).

Each of the transceivers 3225 may include receiving circuitry 3230, 3235 coupled (eg, coupled) to respective receiving circuitry of the first set of ports and/or the second set of ports for receiving signals that can be received through the respective antenna. For example, as shown in the exemplary circuit architecture 3200 shown in FIG. 32, the first transceiver 3225 of the third set of transceivers 3220 may include receive circuitry 3230 associated with a first polarization (eg, LHCP) and receive circuitry 3235 associated with a second polarization (eg, RHCP). Receive circuitry 3230 or 3235 may include a signal path (e.g., traces, wires, etc.) and other circuit components (e.g., amplifiers, mixers, etc.) that may be coupled to an antenna feed element to receive signals through antenna. Likewise, the first transceiver 3225 may include a transmission circuit 3240 associated with a first polarization (eg, LHCP) and a second transmission circuit 3245 associated with a second polarization (eg, RHCP). The transmission circuit 3240, 3245 may include a signal path (e.g., traces, wires, etc.) and other circuit components (e.g., amplifiers, mixers, etc.) that may be coupled to the feed element to transmit signals through the feed element. element. In some cases, receive circuitry 3230, 3235 or transmit circuitry 3240, 3245 may upconvert or downconvert the signals. For example, signals may be received through receive circuitry 3230, 3235 in a first band or frequency band (eg, 30 GHz band) and transmitted through transmit circuitry 3240, 3245 in a second band or frequency band (eg, 20 GHz band). Thus, the received signals may be downconverted in a receive circuit 3230, 3235 or a transmit circuit 3240, 3245 for transmission.

Each transceiver of the first set of transceivers 3210, the second set of transceivers 3215, and the third set of transceivers 3220 may include similar or similar circuitry or circuit components. For example, each transceiver 3250 of the first set of transceivers 3210 and each transceiver 3260 of the second set of transceivers 3215 may have components similar to those of the transceiver 3225. As indicated by the ellipses in FIG. 32, each set of transceivers may include a group of corresponding transceivers corresponding to each feed element of the corresponding antenna.

In some cases, each transceiver of the first set of transceivers 3210, the second set of transceivers 3215, and the third set of transceivers 3220 may be associated with a reconfigurable switching subsystem 3205. For example, the receive components and transmit components of each transceiver may be coupled to the interconnect subsystem 3205 via one or more corresponding signal paths. In some cases, the transmit or receive circuits for one or more sets of transceivers may be omitted, replaced by electrical load circuits, or otherwise loaded. For example, in some cases, the first set of transceivers 3210 and/or the second set of transceivers 3215 may not support transmitting and/or receiving a particular polarization (eg, LHCP uplink signals). Accordingly, the LHCP receive circuitry may be coupled to the load circuitry, for example, rather than coupled to the interconnect subsystem 3205. Thus, although the circuit architecture 3200 is illustrated as being fully configurable per polarization, link direction, and antenna, other implementations may use a partially configurable architecture.

In some cases, interconnect subsystem 3205 may couple to a control system (not shown). The control system, for example, may be implemented in a communication service manager, as described with reference to FIG. 34. The control system may be configured (eg, through signals received from a processor) to control the interconnect subsystem 3205 to connect together the transmit and receive circuitry of the same or different sets of transceivers. For example, the control system may transmit signals to the interconnect subsystem 3205 to connect various connections and disconnect other connections between different sets of transceivers to perform switching operations between different modes of operation, as described herein.

The connections for each of the operating modes described in this document are shown below. The connections below the first link direction are listed first (eg, for forward link configurations 310, the letters "A" through "H" are given as described herein). Then the connections for the reverse link are given (for example, the reverse link configurations correspond to the numbers "0" - "3" as described herein). The forward link connections and the reverse link connections can be combined in any of the various combinations described herein. It should be understood that these are only exemplary implementations and that other implementations may exist whereby the transceivers may be interconnected. Likewise, there may be other modes of operation for which different connections may be used.

For first forward link configuration 311 operating modes (e.g., for forward "A" links, e.g., operating modes "A0", "A1", "A2" and "A3", as described with reference to FIGS. 4-7) , the receiving circuitry 3230 for each of the transceivers of the third set of transceivers 3220 may be coupled via an interconnect subsystem 3205 to the transmitting circuitry 3240 of the transceivers of the first set of transceivers 3210. Accordingly, for a forward communication link, LHCP signals may be received at the receiving circuitry 3230 of the third set of transceivers 3220, routed through the subsystem 3205 interconnects and transmitted through the LHCP transmission circuit 3240 of the first set of transceivers 3210.

For the operating modes of the second forward link configuration 312 (e.g., for the forward "B" links, e.g., operating modes "B0", "B1" and "B2", as described with reference to FIGS. 12-14), receive circuit 3230 and the receive circuit 3235 of each of the transceivers of the third set of transceivers 3220 may be coupled via an interconnect subsystem 3205 to the transmit circuit 3240 and the transmit transceiver circuit 3245 of the second set of transceivers 3215. Accordingly, for a forward communication channel, LHCP signals and RHCP signals (eg, dual polarization signals) may be received in the receive circuitry 3230 and 3235 of the third set of transceivers 3220, routed through the interconnect subsystem 3205, and transmitted through the LHCP and RHCP transmission circuitry 3240 and 3245 of the second set of transceivers 3215.

For third forward link configuration 313 operating modes (e.g., for forward "C" links, e.g., operating modes "C0", "C1", "C2" and "C3", as described with reference to FIGS. 16-19) , the receiving circuit 3230 for each of the transceivers of the third set of transceivers 3220 may be coupled via an interconnect subsystem 3205 to the transmitting circuitry 3240 of the transceivers of the third set of transceivers 3220. Accordingly, for a forward communication link, LHCP signals may be received at the receiving circuit 3230 of the third set of transceivers 3220, routed through the subsystem 3205 interconnects and transmitted through the LHCP transmission circuit 3240 of the third set of transceivers 3215.

For the operating modes of the fourth forward channel configuration 314 (e.g., for forward "D" communication channels, e.g., operating modes "D0", "D1" and "D2", as described with reference to FIGS. 8-10), receive circuit 3230 and the receiving circuitry 3235 of each of the transceivers of the third set of transceivers 3220 may be coupled via interconnect subsystem 3205 to the transmission circuitry and transceiver circuitry 3240 and 3245 of the first set of transceivers 3210. Accordingly, for a forward communication channel, LHCP signals and RHCP signals (eg, dual polarization signals) may be received in the receive circuitry 3230 and 3235 of the third set of transceivers 3220, routed through the interconnect subsystem 3205, and transmitted through the LHCP and RHCP transmission circuitry 3240 and 3245 of the first set of transceivers 3210.

For the operating modes of the fifth forward link configuration 315 (e.g., for the forward "E" links, e.g., operating modes "E0", "E1" and "E2", as described with reference to FIGS. 20-22), receive circuit 3230 Each of the third -transmitters of the third set of acceptors 3220 can be connected by subsystem 3205 intercavions to the 3240 transmission of the first set of acceptors of 3210. In addition, scheme 3235 of the acceptance of the third recruiters of the 3220 transceivers can be connected by subsystem 3205 internships with scheme 3245 of the gear transceiver of the second set of transceivers 3215. Accordingly, for a forward link, LHCP signals may be received in receive circuitry 3230 of a third set of transceivers 3220, routed through interconnect subsystem 3205, and transmitted through LHCP transmit circuitry 3240 of a first set of transceivers 3210. Likewise, RHCP signals may be received in circuitry 3235 receiving the third set of transceivers 3220, routed through the interconnect subsystem 3205, and transmitted through the RHCP transmission circuitry 3245 of the second set of transceivers 3215.

For the operating modes of the sixth forward channel configuration 316 (e.g., for the "F" forward communication channels, e.g., the "F0", "F1" and "F2" operating modes, as described with reference to FIGS. 23-25), receive circuit 3230 Each of the transceivers of the third set of acceptors of 3220 can be connected by subsystem 3205 intercavions to the 3240 transmission of acceptors of the second set of acceptors 3215. In addition, scheme 3235 of the recreation of a third set of acceptors 3220 can be connected through a pollutant of 3205 interredpies with scheme 3245 chi acceptors of the first set of transceivers 3210. Accordingly, for a forward link, LHCP signals may be received in receive circuitry 3230 of a third set of transceivers 3220, routed through interconnect subsystem 3205, and transmitted through LHCP transmit circuitry 3240 of a second set of transceivers 3215. Likewise, RHCP signals may be received in circuitry 3235 receiving the third set of transceivers 3220, routed through the interconnect subsystem 3205, and transmitted through the RHCP transmission circuitry 3245 of the first set of transceivers 3210.

For the operating modes of the seventh forward channel configuration 317 (e.g., for the forward "G" communication channels, e.g., the "G0", "G1" and "G2" operating modes, as described with reference to FIGS. 26-28), receive circuit 3230 Each of the transceivers of the third set of acceptors of 3220 can be connected by subsystem 3205 intercariaments to the 3240 transmission of the third recruiters of the transceivers 3220. In addition, scheme 3235 of the acceptance of the third set of acceptors 3220 can be connected by subsystem 3205 internships with scheme 3245 of the gear The transceivers of the first set of transceivers 3210. Accordingly, for a forward link, LHCP signals may be received in receive circuitry 3230 of a third set of transceivers 3220, routed through interconnect subsystem 3205, and transmitted through LHCP transmit circuitry 3240 of a third set of transceivers 3220. Likewise, RHCP signals may be received in circuitry 3235 receiving the third set of transceivers 3220, routed through the interconnect subsystem 3205, and transmitted through the RHCP transmission circuitry 3245 of the first set of transceivers 3210.

For the operating modes of the eighth forward channel configuration 318 (e.g., for the forward "H" communication channels, e.g., the "H0", "H1" and "H2" operating modes, as described with reference to FIGS. 29-31), receive circuit 3230 Each of the transceivers of the third set of acceptors of 3220 can be connected by subsystem 3205 intercariaments with the circuit 3240 transmitters of the second set of acceptors 3210. In addition, scheme 3235 of the acceptance of the third set of acceptors 3220 can be connected through a pollutant of 3205 intercombs with scheme 3245. Chi of the second -hand transmitters set of transceivers 3215. Accordingly, for a forward communication link, LHCP signals may be received in receive circuitry 3230 of a third set of transceivers 3220, routed through interconnect subsystem 3205, and transmitted through LHCP transmit circuitry 3240 of a third set of transceivers 3220. Likewise, RHCP signals may be received in circuitry 3235 receiving the third set of transceivers 3220, routed through the interconnect subsystem 3205, and transmitted through the RHCP transmission circuitry 3245 of the second set of transceivers 3215.

For modes of operation using the first reverse link configuration 321 (eg, corresponding to reverse link configuration "1"), as described with reference to FIG. 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 24, 27 and 30), the receive circuit 3235 of each of the transceivers of the first set of transceivers 3210 may be coupled via an interconnect subsystem 3205 to the transmit transceiver circuit 3245 of the second set of transceivers 3210. Thus, for the reverse channel communication signals, the RHCP signals may be received through the transceiver receive circuitry 3235 of the first set of transceivers 3210, routed through the interconnect subsystem 3205, and transmitted through the RHCP transmit circuitry 3245 of the third set of transceivers 3220.

For modes of operation using a second reverse link configuration 322 (eg, corresponding to reverse link configuration "2"), as described with reference to FIG. 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 25, 28 and 31), the receive circuit 3235 of each of the transceivers of the second set of transceivers 3215 may be coupled via an interconnect subsystem 3205 to the transmit transceiver circuit 3245 of the second set of transceivers 3210. Thus, for the reverse channel communication signals, the RHCP signals may be received through the transceiver receive circuitry 3235 of the second set of transceivers 3215, routed through the interconnect subsystem 3205, and transmitted through the RHCP transmit circuitry 3245 of the third set of transceivers 3220.

For modes of operation using a third reverse link configuration 323 (eg, corresponding to reverse link configuration "3"), as described with reference to FIG. 7, 15 and 19), the receive circuit 3235 of each of the transceivers of the third set of transceivers 3220 may be coupled via an interconnect subsystem 3205 to the transmit transceiver circuit 3245 of the second set of transceivers 3210. Thus, for the reverse communication channel, RHCP signals may be received by the receive transceiver circuit 3235 third set of transceivers 3220, routed through interconnect subsystem 3205 and transmitted through RHCP transmission circuitry 3245 of third set of transceivers 3220.

In FIG. 33 illustrates an exemplary diagram of a circuit architecture 3300 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In some examples, circuit architecture 3300 may be implemented using aspects of communications satellites and satellite communications systems, as described with reference to FIG. 1–32. Circuit architecture 3300 may be one example implementation of the circuit architecture described with reference to FIG. 32. Circuit architecture 3300 may include an interconnect subsystem 3305 that is reconfigurable to connect one or more of a first transceiver 3310, a second transceiver 3315, and a third transceiver 3320 between respective antennas of a communications satellite antenna assembly. Although only one first transceiver 3310, a second transceiver 3315, and a third transceiver 3320 are shown in FIG. 33, the satellite circuit architecture may have multiple transceivers associated with each antenna (eg, one transceiver per channel). In some cases, transceivers may alternatively be called TRMs. Various quantities are described with reference to FIG. 33, such as specific frequencies and quantities of specific components. These values are examples only, and components having other values can be implemented in a similar manner.

As similarly described herein, communications satellites may include an antenna assembly configured to transmit signals of appropriate polarizations to devices (eg, access node terminals and user terminals) within a group of respective coverage areas through a group of respective antennas. Circuit architecture 3300 includes a first transceiver 3310 that may be coupled to a first antenna (including, e.g., reflector R1) for a first coverage area (e.g., coverage area R1), a second transceiver 3315 that may be coupled to a second antenna (including, e.g. , reflector R2) for a second coverage area (eg, coverage area R2) and a third transceiver 3320 that may be coupled to a third antenna (including, for example, reflector R3) for a third coverage area (eg, coverage area R3). Each of first transceiver 3310, second transceiver 3315, and third transceiver 3320 may be coupled to additional transceivers of respective sets of transceivers for respective antennas, as similarly described with reference to FIG. 32. Each of the transceivers of the respective sets of transceivers may be coupled to a corresponding feed element of an array of feed elements for a corresponding antenna, wherein each antenna may comprise an array of multiple feed elements (eg, any number of one to thousands or more feed elements). The 3300 circuit architecture transceivers can receive signals at 30 GHz and transmit signals at 20 GHz. Thus, transmit and receive signals may be transmitted over at least partially overlapping sets of resources (eg, using FDM). Other frequency pairs are considered in a similar way.

Each feed element of a respective antenna may include a port associated with a first or second corresponding polarization (eg, LHCP or RHCP). For example, each antenna may include a first set of feed elements comprising a first set of ports for a first polarization (eg, LHCP) and a second set of feed elements comprising a second set of ports for a second polarization (eg, RHCP). Alternatively, one or more antennas may have dual polarized feed elements (eg, each feed element has LHCP and RHCP ports). Each of the transceivers may include receiving circuitry coupled (eg, coupled) to respective ports of the first set of ports and/or the second set of ports for receiving signals that could be received through the respective antenna.

For example, as shown in the exemplary circuit architecture 3300 shown in FIG. 33, the first transceiver 3310 may include a receiving circuit that includes a first receive signal path 3322 and a second receive signal path 3324 that may be coupled to an antenna feed element R1 to receive signals from devices located within the coverage area of R1 using LHCP polarization. and RHCP respectively. Likewise, each of the transceivers may include transmission circuitry coupled to corresponding circuitry from the first set of ports and/or the second set of ports for transmitting signals through a corresponding antenna (eg, for relaying signals corresponding to corresponding received signals in an integrated beamforming system). For example, as shown in the exemplary circuit architecture 3300 shown in FIG. 33, the first transceiver 3310 may include a transmission circuit that includes a first transmission signal path 3326 and a second transmission signal path 3328 that can be coupled to an antenna feed element R1 to transmit signals to devices located within the coverage area of R1 using LHCP polarization. and RHCP respectively.

In the first transceiver 3310, the first receive signal path 3322 may be coupled to an electrical load circuit or otherwise terminated. For example, the first transceiver 3310 may not support receiving uplink LHCP signals, and thus signals received on the first LHCP receive signal path 3322 may simply be dissipated through the load circuit.

The second receive signal path 3324 may include a first amplifier stage 3330-a, which may include one or more amplifiers 3335 and/or one or more filters 3362. In the exemplary circuit architecture 3300 shown in FIG. 33, a first amplifier stage 3330-a is shown for a first amplifier, a filter 3362-a (e.g., a 30 GHz bandpass filter), and a second amplifier 3335. The first amplifier stage 3330-a illustrates only one exemplary embodiment, and any other comparable implementations. The receive signal path and transmit signal path amplifiers 3335 may amplify the signals and may include any suitable amplifiers, including low noise amplifiers, high power amplifiers, fixed gain amplifiers, variable gain amplifiers, Dougherty amplifiers (or quasi-Dougherty amplifiers) and so on. Only one of the illustrated 3335 amplifiers is labeled for clarity of the illustrated example.

In addition, in the first transceiver 3310, the first transmission signal path 3326 may include a second amplifier stage 3330-b, which may include one or more amplifiers. In the exemplary circuit architecture 3300 shown in FIG. 33, the second amplifier stage 3330-b is shown to include three amplifiers, which is one exemplary embodiment, and any other comparable implementations are contemplated.

Additionally, in the first transceiver 3310, the second transmit signal path 3328 may include a third amplifier stage 3330-c. The third amplifier stage 3330-c may be the same as the second amplifier stage 3330-b, or may have different amplifiers 3335 (eg, the same or a different number of amplifiers 3335 having lower or higher gain). Amplifiers of the second transmission signal path 3328 may enhance signals to be transmitted from the first transceiver 3310 through the RHCP antenna feed elements (eg, antennas R1).

The first transceiver 3310 may include a multiplexing circuit 3332 that can selectively couple, switch, or otherwise multiplex signals transmitted between the first transceiver 3310 and the second transceiver 3315 or the third transceiver 3320. The multiplexing circuit 3332 may be coupled to the receive and transmit paths of the first transceiver 3310 and may have multiple interconnect paths for connecting to a second transceiver 3315 or a third transceiver 3320. In the example shown in FIG. 33, multiplexing circuit 3332 may be coupled to a second receive path 3324, a first transmit path 3326, and a second transmit path 3328. In addition, as shown in the exemplary circuit architecture 3300, the multiplexing circuit 3332 may have three interconnect paths: a first interconnect path 3338, a second interconnect path 3340, and a third interconnect path 3342. Each of the interconnect paths may be configured to be connected via a multiplexing circuit 3332 to one or more of a second receive path 3324, a first transmit path 3326, or a second transmit path 3328. In some cases, one or more interconnect paths may be configured to relay signals between other transceivers (eg, between second transceiver 3315 and third transceiver 3320). The multiplexing circuit 3332 may include a combination of components such as multiplexers 3334, filters 3362, and couplers 3336. In the example shown, the multiplexing circuit 3332 includes a multiplexer 3334-a and a coupler 3336-a. The multiplexer 3334-a may be coupled to the second receive path 3324 and the first transmit path 3326 and coupler 3336-a. The multiplexer 3334-a may be configured to couple one or more of the second amplifier stage 3330-b and the third amplifier stage 3330-c to coupler 3336-a. The coupler 3336-a may be a bidirectional coupler with first and second trunk ports connected to the first interconnect path 3338 and the second interconnect path 3340, respectively. A coupled port of coupler 3336-a may be coupled to multiplexer 3334-a. The third interconnect path 3342 may be connected directly to the second transmission path 3328. For each of the transceivers 3320, a first interconnect path 3338 may be coupled to an interconnect path 3346 of one of the second transceivers 3315 (e.g., via an interconnect subsystem 3305), and a second interconnect path 3340 may be coupled to an interconnect path 3344 of one of the third transceivers 3320. Path 3346 interconnect may be coupled to the interconnect path 3348 of one of the second transceivers 3315 (eg, which may be the same second transceiver 3315 or a different transceiver than for the first interconnect path 3338).

As also shown in the exemplary circuit architecture 3300 shown in FIG. 33, the second transceiver 3315 may include a receiving circuit that includes a first receive signal path 3350 and a second receive signal path 3352 that may be coupled to an antenna feed element R2 for receiving signals from devices located within the coverage area of R2 using LHCP polarization. and RHCP respectively. The second transceiver 3315 may include a transmission circuit including a first transmit signal path 3354 and a second transmit signal path 3356 that may be coupled to an antenna feed element R2 to transmit signals to devices located within the coverage area of R2 using LHCP and RHCP polarization, respectively. .

In the second transceiver 3315, the first receive signal path 3350 may be coupled to an electrical load circuit or otherwise terminated. For example, the second transceiver 3315 may not support receiving uplink LHCP signals, and thus signals received on the first LHCP receive signal path 3350 may simply be dissipated through the load circuit.

The second receive signal path 3352 may include a fourth amplifier stage 3330-d, which may include one or more amplifiers 3335 and/or one or more filters 3362. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the exemplary circuit architecture 3300 of FIG. . 33, the fourth amplifier stage 3330-d is shown to include a first amplifier 3335, a filter 3362-c (e.g., a 30 GHz bandpass filter), and a second amplifier 3335. The amplifier stage 3330-d illustrates only one exemplary embodiment, and Any other comparable implementation options are considered. Amplifiers 3335 of the receive signal path 3352 may amplify received signals to be relayed through interconnect subsystem 3305 and transmitted through corresponding transceivers of the circuit architecture shown in FIG. 33.

Additionally, in the second transceiver 3315, the first transmit signal path 3354 may include a fifth amplifier stage 3330-e, which may include one or more amplifiers 3335. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the exemplary circuit architecture 3300 in FIG. 33, the fifth amplifier stage 3330-e is shown to include three amplifiers, although this is only one exemplary embodiment and any other comparable implementations are contemplated. Amplifiers 3335 of the transmission signal path 3354 may amplify signals to be transmitted from the second transceiver 3315.

The second transmit signal path 3356 of the second transceiver 3315 may include a sixth amplifier stage 3330-f, which may include one or more amplifiers 3335. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the exemplary circuit architecture 3300 of FIG. 33, the sixth amplifier stage 3330-f is shown to include three amplifiers, although this is only one exemplary embodiment and any other comparable implementations are contemplated. Amplifiers 3335 of the transmission signal path 3356 may amplify signals to be transmitted from the second transceiver 3315.

The second transceiver 3315 may include a multiplexing circuit 3358 that can selectively couple, switch, or otherwise multiplex signals transmitted between the second transceiver 3315 and the first transceiver 3310 or the third transceiver 3320. The multiplexing circuit 3358 may be coupled to the receive and transmit paths of the second transceiver 3315 and may have multiple interconnect paths for connecting to the first transceiver 3310 or the third transceiver 3320. In the example shown in FIG. 33, multiplexing circuit 3358 may be coupled to a second receive path 3352, a first transmit path 3354, and a second transmit path 3356. In addition, as shown in the exemplary circuit architecture 3300, the multiplexing circuit 3358 may be coupled to three interconnect paths: a fourth interconnect path 3346, a fifth interconnect path 3360, and a sixth interconnect path 3348. One or more interconnect paths may be configured to connect via multiplexing circuitry 3358 to a second receive path 3352, a first transmit path 3354, or a second transmit path 3328. In some cases, one or more interconnect paths may be configured to relay signals between other transceivers (eg, between the first transceiver 3310 and the third transceiver 3320). The multiplexing circuit 3358 may include a combination of components such as multiplexers, filters, and couplers. In the example shown, multiplexing circuit 3358 includes a multiplexer 3334-b, a coupler 3336-b, and a filter 3362-b (eg, a 20 GHz bandpass filter). The multiplexer 3334-b may be coupled to a second receive path 3352, a first transmit path 3354, and a fourth interconnect path 3346. The coupler 3336-b may be a bidirectional coupler with the first and second trunk ports connected to a fifth interconnect path 3360 (eg, through a filter 3362-b) and a sixth interconnect path 3348, respectively. The coupled port of the coupler 3336-b may be coupled to the second transmission path 3356. For each of the second transceivers 3315, a fourth interconnect path 3346 may be coupled to a first interconnect path 3338 of one of the first transceivers 3310 (e.g., via interconnect subsystem 3305), a fifth interconnect path 3360 may be coupled to an interconnect path 3364 of one of the third transceivers 3320, and the sixth interconnect path 3348 may be coupled to a third interconnect path 3342 of one of the first transceivers 3310 (eg, which may be the same second transceiver 3315 or a different transceiver than in the case of the fourth interconnect path 3346).

As also shown in the exemplary circuit architecture 3300 shown in FIG. 33, the third transceiver 3320 may include a reception circuit that includes a first receive signal path 3366 and a second receive signal path 3368 that may be coupled to an antenna feed element R3 to receive signals from devices located within the coverage area of R3 using LHCP polarization. and RHCP respectively. The third transceiver 3320 may include a transmission circuit that includes a first transmit signal path 3370 and a second transmit signal path 3372 that can be coupled to an antenna feed element R3 to transmit signals to devices located within the coverage area of R3 using LHCP and RHCP polarizations. respectively.

In the third transceiver 3320, the first receive signal path 3366 may comprise a seventh amplifier stage 3330-g. The seventh amplifier stage 3330-g may contain one or more amplifiers, filters, or frequency converters. In the exemplary circuit architecture 3300 shown in FIG. 33, the seventh amplifier stage 3330-g is shown to include an amplifier, a filter, and a frequency converter 3374-a. Frequency converter 3374-a may, for example, convert a frequency for signals received through a first receive signal path 3366 (e.g., 30 GHz) into a frequency for transmission through a transmission path of a first transceiver 3310, a second transceiver 3315, or a third transceiver 3320 (e.g., 20 GHz). The components of the seventh amplifier stage 3330-g shown are illustrative of one exemplary embodiment only, and any other comparable implementations are contemplated.

The second receive signal path 3368 may comprise an eighth amplifier stage 3330-h. The eighth amplifier stage 3330-h may include one or more amplifiers 3335, frequency converters 3374, filters 3362, or couplers 3336. In the exemplary implementation illustrated in the exemplary circuit architecture 3300 in FIG. 33, the eighth amplifier stage 3330-i is shown to include a first amplifier 3335, a coupler 3336-d, a frequency converter 3374-b, a first filter 3362-e, a second filter 3362-f, and a second amplifier 3335. The frequency converter 3374-b may, for example, converting the frequency for signals received through the second receive signal path 3368 (e.g., 30 GHz) to a frequency for transmission from the transmission path of the first transceiver 3310, second transceiver 3315, or third transceiver 3320 (e.g., 20 GHz). The coupler 3336-d may be a directional coupler for providing a combined signal in front of the frequency converter 3374-b for feedback to another one of the third transceivers 3320 (eg, through a multiplexer 3334-c). In some examples, the function of the tap 3336-d may be provided by a switch instead of a tap. The components shown in the eighth amplifier stage of the 3330-h illustrate only one exemplary embodiment, and any other comparable implementations are contemplated.

Additionally, in the third transceiver 3320, the first transmit signal path 3370 may include a ninth amplifier stage 3330-i, which may include one or more amplifiers 3335. In the exemplary circuit architecture 3300 shown in FIG. 33, the ninth amplifier stage 3330-i is shown to include three amplifiers, however, this is only one exemplary embodiment and any other comparable implementations are contemplated.

Additionally, in the third transceiver 3320, the second transmit signal path 3372 may include a tenth amplifier stage 3330-j, which may include one or more amplifiers 3335, filters 3362, and/or frequency converters 3374. In the exemplary circuit architecture 3300 shown in FIG. 33, the tenth amplifier stage 3330-j is shown to include three amplifiers, a filter 3362-g (eg, a 20 GHz bandpass filter), and a frequency converter 3374-c. Frequency converter 3374-c may, for example, convert the frequency for signals to be transmitted via the second transmit signal path from a receive frequency (eg, 30 GHz) to a transmit frequency (eg, 20 GHz). The components shown in the tenth amplifier stage 3330-j illustrate only one exemplary embodiment, and any other comparable implementations are contemplated. Transmission signal path amplifiers 3372 may enhance signals to be transmitted from the third transceiver 3320.

3374 frequency converters can contain multiple frequency conversion components. For example, frequency converter 3374 may include a first component for converting a source frequency (eg, 30 GHz) to an intermediate frequency and a second component for converting the intermediate frequency signal to a target frequency, such as 20 GHz (eg, a transmission frequency).

The third transceiver 3320 may include a multiplexing circuit 3378 that can selectively couple, switch, or otherwise multiplex signals transmitted between the third transceiver 3320 and the first transceiver 3310 or the second transceiver 3315. The multiplexing circuit 3378 may be coupled to the receive and transmit paths of the third transceiver 3320 and may have multiple interconnect paths for connecting to a first transceiver 3310, a second transceiver 3315, or other third transceivers 3320. In the example shown in FIG. 33, multiplexing circuit 3378 may be coupled to a first receive path 3366, a second receive path 3368, a first transmit path 3370, and a second transmit path 3372. In addition, as shown in the exemplary circuit architecture 3300, the multiplexing circuit 3378 may have four interconnect paths: a seventh interconnect path 3364, an eighth interconnect path 3380, a ninth interconnect path 3344, and a tenth interconnect path 3382. Each of the interconnect paths may be configured to connect via multiplexing circuit 3378 to one or more of the first receive path 3366, the second receive path 3368, the first transmit path 3370, or the second transmit path 3372. In some cases, one or more interconnect paths may be configured to relay signals between other transceivers (eg, between first transceiver 3310 and second transceiver 3315). The multiplexing circuit 3378 may include a combination of components such as multiplexers 3334, filters 3362, and couplers 3336. In the example shown, the multiplexing circuit 3378 includes a multiplexer 3334-c, a multiplexer 3334-d, and a coupler 3336-c. The multiplexer 3334-c may be coupled to a second receive path 3368, a first transmit path 3370, and an eighth interconnect path 3380. The multiplexer 3334-c may be configured to multiplex signals from the second receive path 3368 to the eighth interconnect path 3380 or from the eighth interconnect path 3380 to the first transmit path 3370. The multiplexer 3334-d may be coupled to a first receive path 3366, a second transmit path 3372, and a coupler 3336-c. The multiplexer 3334-d may be configured to multiplex signals from the first receive path 3366 to the coupler 3336-c or from the coupler 3336-c to the second transmit path 3372. The coupler 3336-c may be a bidirectional coupler with the first and second trunk ports connected to the ninth interconnect path 3344 and the multiplexer 3334-d, respectively. The coupled port of the coupler 3336-c may be connected to the tenth interconnect path 3382. For each of the third transceivers 3320, a seventh interconnect path 3364 may be coupled to a fifth interconnect path 3360 of one of the second transceivers 3315 (e.g., via an interconnect subsystem 3305), and a ninth interconnect path 3344 may be coupled to a second interconnect path 3340 of one of the first transceivers 3310 The eighth interconnect path 3380 and tenth interconnect path 3382 may be connected to the eighth interconnect path 3380 and tenth interconnect path 3382 of another one of the third transceivers 3320.

As similarly described herein, the communications satellite may be configured to switch between one or more different modes of operation. Each of the different modes of operation may transmit and/or receive signals through different ports of the feed elements of each of the respective antennas described herein. With reference to the exemplary circuit architecture 3300 as shown in FIG. 33, each of the different modes of operation may use different signal paths of the circuit architecture 3300 to relay received signals from respective receive signal paths to corresponding transmit signal paths. Accordingly, multiplexers 3334 and couplers 3336 may be reconfigured to route (e.g., connect and/or disconnect) connections between first transceiver 3310, second transceiver 3315, and/or third transceiver 3320 (e.g., through interconnect subsystem 3305) and reconfigure components of circuit architecture 3300 to facilitate the operation of these mode switches.

First, the components and connections used for each of the forward link configurations are described. The components and connections used for each of the reverse link configurations 320 are also then described. It should be understood that for the exemplary circuit architecture 3300 shown in FIG. 33, each of the forward link configurations can be used with any of the available reverse link configurations, for example, as shown in the table in FIG. 3. However, similarly unavailable forward link configurations and reverse link configurations may also be created in other similar embodiments. The circuit architecture 3300 may be reconfigured from any of the modes of operation to any of the other modes of operation as described herein (e.g., by connecting and/or disconnecting the corresponding signal paths and/or by activating and/or deactivating the corresponding circuit components described in this document).

According to the first forward link configuration 311 (e.g., forward link configuration "A" as described with reference to FIG. 4), the communications satellite may receive the LHCP forward uplink signal on third transceivers 3320 via first receive signal paths 3366 , convert signals from a first frequency band (eg, 30 GHz) to a second frequency band (eg, 20 GHz) at frequency converters 3374-a, route LHCP forward link signals through interconnect subsystem 3305 to second amplifier stages 3330-b of first transceivers 3310 (eg, using multiplexers 3334-d, couplers 3336-c, and multiplexers 3334-a) and transmit the corresponding forward LHCP downlink signal from the first transceivers 3310 through the first transmit signal paths 3326.

According to a second forward link configuration 312 (e.g., forward link configuration "B" as described with reference to FIG. 12), the communications satellite may receive a forward LHCP uplink signal on third transceivers 3320 via first receive signal paths 3366 , convert signals from a first frequency band (eg, 30 GHz) to a second frequency band (eg, 20 GHz) at frequency converters 3374-a, route LHCP forward link signals through interconnect subsystem 3305 to fifth amplifier stages 3330-e of second transceivers 3315 (eg, using multiplexers 3334-d, couplers 3336-c, couplers 3336-a, and multiplexers 3334-b) and transmit corresponding forward LHCP downlink signals from second transceivers 3315 via first transmit signal paths 3354. The first transmission signal paths 3354 may apply the amplified 20 GHz LHCP forward link signal to antenna feed elements R2 to transmit the amplified 20 GHz LHCP forward link signals to devices located within the coverage area of R2.

In addition, according to the second forward link configuration 312, the communications satellite may receive the forward uplink RHCP signal on third transceivers 3320 via second receive signal paths 3368, convert signals from a first frequency band (e.g., 30 GHz) to a second frequency band (e.g., 30 GHz). e.g., 20 GHz) on frequency converters 3374-b, route forward RHCP link signals through interconnect subsystem 3305 to sixth amplifier stages 3330-f of second transceivers 3315 (e.g., using multiplexers 3334-c and couplers 3336-b) and transmit the corresponding forward downlink RHCP signals from second transceivers 3315 via second transmit signal paths 3356. Second transmit signal paths 3356 may apply amplified 20 GHz RHCP forward link signals to R2 antenna feed elements to transmit the amplified 20 GHz RHCP forward link signals to devices located within R2's coverage area.

According to a third forward link configuration 313 (e.g., forward link configuration "C" as described with reference to FIG. 16), the communications satellite may receive a forward LHCP uplink signal on third transceivers 3320 via first receive signal paths 3366 , convert signals from a first frequency band (eg, 30 GHz) to a second frequency band (eg, 20 GHz) at frequency converters 3374-a, route LHCP forward link signals through interconnect subsystem 3305 to ninth amplifier stages 3330-i of other thirds transceivers 3320 (eg, using multiplexers 3334-d, couplers 3336-c, and multiplexers 3334-c) and transmit corresponding forward LHCP downlink signals from third transceivers 3320 via first signaling paths 3370. The first transmission signal paths 3370 may apply amplified 20 GHz LHCP forward link signals to antenna feed elements R3 to transmit the amplified 20 GHz LHCP forward link signals to devices located within R3's coverage area.

According to a fourth forward link configuration 314 (e.g., forward link configuration "D" as described with reference to FIG. 8), the communications satellite may receive a forward LHCP uplink signal on third transceivers 3320 via first receive signal paths 3366 , convert signals from a first frequency band (eg, 30 GHz) to a second frequency band (eg, 20 GHz) at frequency converters 3374-a, route LHCP forward link signals through interconnect subsystem 3305 to second amplifier stages 3330-b of first transceivers 3310 (eg, through multiplexers 3334-d, couplers 3336-c, couplers 3336-a, and multiplexers 3334-a) and transmit corresponding forward LHCP downlink signals from the first transceivers 3310 through the first transmit signal paths 3326. The first transmission signal paths 3326 may apply amplified 20 GHz LHCP forward link signals to antenna feed elements R1 to transmit the amplified 20 GHz LHCP forward link signals to devices located within the coverage area of R1.

In addition, according to the fourth forward link configuration 314, the communications satellite may receive the forward uplink RHCP signal at the third transceiver 3320 via the second receive signal path 3368, convert signals from a first frequency band (e.g., 30 GHz) to a second frequency band (e.g., 30 GHz). e.g., 20 GHz) on frequency converters 3374-b, route forward RHCP link signals through interconnect subsystem 3305 to third amplifier stages 3330-c of first transceivers 3310 (e.g., using couplers 3336-b) and transmit corresponding forward downlink signals RHCP from the first transceivers 3310 through the second signaling paths 3328. Second transmit signal paths 3328 may apply amplified 20 GHz RHCP forward link signals to R1 antenna feed elements to transmit the amplified 20 GHz RHCP forward link signals to devices located within R1's coverage area.

According to a fifth forward link configuration 315 (e.g., forward link configuration "E" as described with reference to FIG. 20), the communications satellite may receive a forward LHCP uplink signal on third transceivers 3320 via first receive signal paths 3366 , convert signals from a first frequency band (eg, 30 GHz) to a second frequency band (eg, 20 GHz) at frequency converters 3374-a, route LHCP forward link signals through interconnect subsystem 3305 to second amplifier stages 3330-b of first transceivers 3310 (eg, using multiplexer 3334-d, coupler 3336-c, coupler 3336-a, and multiplexer 3334-a) and transmit corresponding forward LHCP downlink signals from first transceivers 3310 via first transmit signal paths 3326. The first transmission signal paths 3326 may apply amplified 20 GHz LHCP forward link signals to antenna feed elements R1 to transmit the amplified 20 GHz LHCP forward link signals to devices located within the coverage area of R1.

In addition, according to the fifth forward link configuration 315, the communications satellite may receive a forward uplink RHCP signal on third transceivers 3320 via second receive signal paths 3368, convert signals from a first frequency band (e.g., 30 GHz) to a second frequency band (e.g., 30 GHz). e.g., 20 GHz) on frequency converters 3374-b, route forward RHCP link signals through interconnect subsystem 3305 to sixth amplifier stages 3330-f of second transceivers 3315 (e.g., using couplers 3336-b) and transmit corresponding forward downlink signals RHCP from second transceivers 3315 via second transmission signal paths 3356. Second transmit signal paths 3356 may apply amplified 20 GHz RHCP forward link signals to R2 antenna feed elements to transmit the amplified 20 GHz RHCP forward link signals to devices located within R2's coverage area.

According to a sixth forward link configuration 316 (e.g., forward link configuration "F" as described with reference to FIG. 23), the communications satellite may receive a forward LHCP uplink signal on third transceivers 3320 via first receive signal paths 3366 , convert signals from a first frequency band (eg, 30 GHz) to a second frequency band (eg, 20 GHz) at frequency converters 3374-a, route LHCP forward link signals through interconnect subsystem 3305 to fifth amplifier stages 3330-e of second transceivers 3315 (eg, using multiplexers 3334-d, couplers 3336-c, couplers 3336-a, and multiplexers 3334-b) and transmit corresponding forward LHCP downlink signals from second transceivers 3315 via first transmit signal paths 3354. The first transmission signal paths 3354 may apply amplified 20 GHz LHCP forward link signals to antenna feed elements R2 to transmit the amplified 20 GHz LHCP forward link signals to devices located within R2's coverage area.

In addition, according to the sixth forward link configuration 316, the communications satellite may receive a forward uplink RHCP signal on third transceivers 3320 via second receive signal paths 3368, convert signals from a first frequency band (e.g., 30 GHz) to a second frequency band (e.g., 30 GHz). e.g., 20 GHz) on frequency converters 3374-b, route the forward RHCP link signal through interconnect subsystem 3305 to third amplifier stages 3330-c of first transceivers 3310 (e.g., using taps 3336-b to route signals to third interconnect paths 3342) and transmit the corresponding forward downlink RHCP signal from the first transceivers 3310 through the second transmission signal paths 3328. Second transmit signal paths 3328 may apply an amplified 20 GHz RHCP forward link signal to antenna feed elements of R1 to transmit the amplified 20 GHz RHCP forward link signals to devices located within R1's coverage area.

According to the seventh forward link configuration 317 (eg, forward link configuration "G" as described with reference to FIG. 26), the communications satellite may receive the LHCP forward uplink signal at third transceivers 3320 via a first receive signal path 3366 , convert signals from a first frequency band (eg, 30 GHz) to a second frequency band (eg, 20 GHz) at frequency converters 3374-a, route LHCP forward link signals through interconnect subsystem 3305 to ninth amplifier stages 3330-i of other thirds transceivers 3320 (eg, using multiplexers 3334-d, couplers 3336-c, and multiplexers 3334-c) and transmit corresponding forward LHCP downlink signals from third transceivers 3320 via first transmit signal paths 3370. The first transmission signal paths 3370 may apply amplified 20 GHz LHCP forward link signals to antenna feed elements R3 to transmit the amplified 20 GHz LHCP forward link signals to devices located within R3's coverage area.

In addition, according to the seventh forward link configuration 317, the communications satellite may receive a forward uplink RHCP signal at the third transceiver 3320 via a second receive signal path 3368, convert signals from a first frequency band (e.g., 30 GHz) to a second frequency band (e.g., 30 GHz). e.g., 20 GHz) on frequency converters 3374-b, route forward RHCP link signals through interconnect subsystem 3305 to third amplifier stages 3330-c of first transceivers 3310 (e.g., using taps 3336-b to route signals to third interconnect paths 3342) and transmit corresponding forward downlink RHCP signals from the first transceivers 3310 through the second transmission signal paths 3328. Second transmit signal paths 3328 may apply amplified 20 GHz RHCP forward link signals to R1 antenna feed elements to transmit the amplified 20 GHz RHCP forward link signals to devices located within R1's coverage area.

According to the eighth forward link configuration 318 (e.g., forward link configuration "H" as described with reference to FIG. 29), the communications satellite may receive the LHCP forward uplink signal on third transceivers 3320 via first receive signal paths 3366 , convert signals from a first frequency band (eg, 30 GHz) to a second frequency band (eg, 20 GHz) at frequency converters 3374-a, route LHCP forward link signals through interconnect subsystem 3305 to ninth amplifier stages 3330-i of other thirds transceivers 3320 (eg, using multiplexers 3334-d, couplers 3336-c, and multiplexers 3334-c) and transmit corresponding forward LHCP downlink signals from third transceivers 3320 via first signaling paths 3370. The first transmission signal paths 3370 may apply amplified 20 GHz LHCP forward link signals to antenna feed elements R3 to transmit the amplified 20 GHz LHCP forward link signals to devices located within R3's coverage area.

In addition, according to the eighth forward link configuration 318, the communications satellite may receive the forward uplink RHCP signal at the third transceiver 3320 via the second receive signal path 3368, convert signals from the first frequency band (e.g., 30 GHz) to the second frequency band ( e.g., 20 GHz) on frequency converters 3374-b, route the forward RHCP link signal through the interconnect subsystem 3305 to the sixth amplifier stages 3330-f of the second transceivers 3315 (e.g., using couplers 3336-b) and transmit corresponding forward downlink signals RHCP from second transceivers 3315 via second transmission signal paths 3356. Second transmit signal paths 3356 may apply amplified 20 GHz RHCP forward link signals to R2 antenna feed elements to transmit the amplified 20 GHz RHCP forward link signals to devices located within R2's coverage area.

In some cases, the circuit architecture 3300, including the interconnect subsystem 3305, may be configured (or, for example, reconfigured) to implement a mode of operation using a reverse link configuration 320, such as a first reverse link configuration 321 (for example, a reverse link configuration "1") communications as described in this document). The configuration provided herein for the first reverse link configuration 321 may be combined with any of the above-described forward link configurations with which the combination of the first reverse link configuration 321 is available for the corresponding forward link configuration. In some cases, the reverse link signals may be multiplexed with the forward link signals, with, for example, each passing through components of the circuit architecture 3300 (e.g., wires, traces, multiplexers 3334, etc.) simultaneously (e.g., with using frequency multiplexing).

According to the first reverse link configuration 321, the communications satellite may receive the reverse uplink RHCP signal at the first transceivers 3310 through the second receive signal paths 3324, forward the reverse uplink RHCP signals through the interconnect subsystem 3305 to the tenth amplifier stages 3330-j (e.g., using 3334-a multiplexers, 3336-a couplers, 3336-c couplers, and 3334-d multiplexers), convert signals from the first frequency range (for example, 30 GHz) to the second frequency range (for example, 20 GHz) on the 3374-c converters frequency and transmit the corresponding reverse downlink RHCP signals from the third transceivers 3320 through the second transmission signal paths 3372. Second transmit signal paths 3372 may apply amplified 20 GHz RHCP reverse link signals to R3 antenna feed elements to transmit the amplified 20 GHz RHCP reverse link signals to devices located within R3's coverage area.

In some cases, circuit architecture 3300, including interconnect subsystem 3305, may be configured (or, for example, reconfigured) to implement a mode of operation using a second reverse link configuration 322 (e.g., reverse link configuration "2" as described herein ). The configuration provided herein for the second reverse link configuration 322 may be combined with any of the above-described forward link configurations with which the combination of the second reverse link configuration 322 is available for the corresponding forward link configuration. In some cases, the reverse link signals may be multiplexed with the forward link signals, with, for example, each passing through components of the circuit architecture 3300 (e.g., wiring, traces, multiplexers 3334, etc.) simultaneously (e.g., with using frequency multiplexing).

According to the second reverse link configuration 322, the communications satellite may receive the reverse uplink RHCP signal at second transceivers 3315 via second receive signal paths 3352, forward the reverse uplink RHCP signals through interconnect subsystem 3305 to tenth amplifier stages 3330-j (e.g., using 3334-b multiplexers, 3336-a couplers, 3336-c couplers, and 3334-d multiplexers), convert signals from the first frequency range (for example, 30 GHz) to the second frequency range (for example, 20 GHz) on the 3374-c converters frequency and transmit the corresponding reverse downlink RHCP signals from the third transceivers 3320 through the second transmission signal paths 3372. Second transmit signal paths 3372 may apply amplified 20 GHz RHCP reverse link signals to R3 antenna feed elements to transmit the amplified 20 GHz RHCP reverse link signals to devices located within R3's coverage area.

In some cases, circuit architecture 3300, including interconnect subsystem 3305, may be configured (or, for example, reconfigured) to implement a mode of operation using a third reverse link configuration 323 (e.g., reverse link configuration "3" as described herein ). The configuration provided herein for the third reverse link configuration 323 may be combined with any of the above-described forward link configurations with which the combination of the third reverse link configuration 323 is available for the corresponding forward link configuration. In some cases, the reverse link signals may be multiplexed with the forward link signals, with, for example, each passing through components of the circuit architecture 3300 (e.g., wiring, traces, multiplexers 3334, etc.) simultaneously (e.g., with using frequency multiplexing).

According to the third reverse link configuration 323, the communications satellite may receive the reverse uplink RHCP signal at third transceivers 3320 via second receive signal paths 3368, route the reverse uplink RHCP signal through interconnect subsystem 3305 to tenth amplifier stages 3330-j (e.g., using multiplexers 3334-c, couplers 3336-c and multiplexers 3334-d), convert signals from the first frequency range (for example, 30 GHz) to the second frequency range (for example, 20 GHz) on frequency converters 3374-c and transmit the corresponding signals a reverse RHCP downlink from third transceivers 3320 via second transmission signal paths 3372. Second transmit signal paths 3372 may apply amplified 20 GHz RHCP reverse link signals to R3 antenna feed elements to transmit the amplified 20 GHz RHCP reverse link signal to devices located within R3's coverage area.

In FIG. 34 illustrates a block diagram of a controller 3400 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The controller 3400 may include a communications service manager 3405, a processor 3410, a storage device 3415, and a communications interface 3440. Each of these components may be coupled to each other, directly or indirectly, via one or more buses 3435. In some examples, controller 3400 may be an example of controller 175 and may be implemented using aspects of a satellite communications system, as described with reference to FIG. 1–33. For example, aspects of controller 3400 may be implemented in network device 170 or communications satellite 105.

Storage device 3415 may include random access memory (RAM) and/or read only memory (ROM). Storage device 3415 may store an operating system (OS) 3420 (eg, embedded in a Linux or Windows kernel). Memory 3415 may also store computer-readable, computer-executable code 3425 containing instructions that are configured, when executed, to cause processor 3410 to perform various functions described herein associated with providing communications services in accordance with various natural antenna patterns. In an alternative embodiment, code 3425 may not be configured to be executed by processor 3410 directly, but may be configured to cause controller 3400 to perform (eg, after compilation and execution) one or more of the functions described herein.

The controller 3400 may include a communications service manager 3405 that may control one or more aspects of a communications satellite switching between satellite beamforming system modes of operation, as described herein. Communication services may, for example, be provided through communications interface 3440. In some examples, the communications service manager 3405 may determine an operating mode for a communications satellite, a signal to the satellite to configure the interconnect subsystem and antennas of the antenna node to determine the operating mode, and then operating the communications satellite in accordance with the operating mode (e.g., transmitting signals 3445 for a communications service via communication interface 3440 in accordance with the configured operating mode for providing communication services to the terminals).

The controller 3400, comprising a communications service manager 3405, a processor 3410, a storage device 3415, and/or a communications interface 3440, may be implemented or implemented using a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit ( specific integrated circuit; ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, designed to perform the functions described in this document. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or alternatively the processor may be a standard processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The controller 3400 may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in combination with a DSP core, integrated memory, discrete memory, or any other similar configuration.

In FIG. 35 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method 3500 that supports switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The operations of method 3500 may be implemented by a controller for a communications satellite containing a plurality of antennas or components thereof, as described herein. In some examples, the controller may execute a set of commands to control functional elements of the controller to perform the functions described herein. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the controller may perform aspects of the functions described below using special equipment.

At 3505, the controller may determine a first operating mode of a plurality of operating modes for providing communications services to terminals within a service area that includes a first coverage area associated with a first communications satellite antenna and a second coverage area associated with a second communications satellite antenna, the second area coverage may at least partially overlap with the first coverage area and includes at least one gateway for providing communication services via a communications satellite. In some cases, the first mode of operation may correspond to a first configuration of the respective polarizations with at least one of a plurality of antennas for the received signals of each of the respective polarizations and at least one of a plurality of antennas for the transmitted signals of each of the respective polarizations.

At 3510, the communications satellite may operate in accordance with the first mode of operation.

At 3515, the controller may determine a second operating mode of a plurality of operating modes for providing a communication service, wherein the second operating mode corresponds to a second configuration of a corresponding polarization with at least one of a plurality of antennas for receiving signals of each of the respective polarizations and at least one of a plurality of antennas for transmitting signals of each of the respective polarizations, and wherein the second configuration is different from the first configuration.

At 3520, the controller may control the communications satellite to switch the antennas of the antenna assembly (eg, and the interconnect subsystem) from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation.

At 3525, the communications satellite may operate in accordance with the second mode of operation. In some examples, one of the first operating mode or the second operating mode may be a mode using one polarization for the forward communication channel (eg, one of the "A", "C" modes), and the other of the first operating mode or the second operating mode may be a mode that uses dual polarization for the forward link (eg, one of the "B", "D", "E", "F", "G" or "H" modes). In some examples, one of the first operating mode or the second operating mode may be a mode using one forward link coverage area (eg, one of modes "A", "B", "C" or "D"), while the other of the first operating mode or the second operating mode may be a mode using more than one forward link coverage area (eg, one of the "E", "F", "G" or "H" modes). In some examples, the first and second modes of operation may have the same forward link configuration, but may have different reverse link configurations. In some examples, the first and second modes of operation may be part of a pattern of two or more modes of operation (eg, which may repeat periodically or change dynamically).

Thus, method 3525 can support switching between modes of operation of beamforming systems and satellites in accordance with aspects of the present invention. It should be noted that method 3500 describes example implementations and that the order of operations of method 3500 may be changed or otherwise modified so that other implementations are possible. For example, some described operations may be optional (e.g., those enclosed in rectangles that have dashed lines, which are described as optional, etc.), and optional operations may be performed when certain criteria are met, performed partially, omitted entirely, and etc.

The various illustrative blocks and components described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or implemented using a general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete or transistor logic circuit, discrete hardware components, or any a combination thereof configured to perform the functions described herein. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or alternatively the processor may be a standard processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other similar configuration.

The detailed description set forth above in connection with the accompanying drawings describes exemplary embodiments and does not represent only embodiments that may be implemented or that fall within the scope of the claims. Throughout this specification, the term “example” means “exemplifying, exemplary, or illustrative” and not “preferred” or “overriding other embodiments.” The detailed description includes specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the techniques described. However, these techniques can be implemented without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to better illustrate the ideas of the described embodiments.

Information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols and chips that may be referred to throughout the above description may be voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

The functions described herein may be implemented in various ways, with various materials, functions, shapes, sizes, etc. Other examples and embodiments are included within the scope of the description and appended claims. Elements implementing functions may also be physically located in different locations, including a distributed arrangement such that portions of the functions are implemented in different physical locations. Also, as used herein, the term “or” when used in a list of items (e.g., in a list of items preceded by an expression such as “at least one of” or “one or more of”) indicates a mutually exclusive list, so, for example, a list of "at least one of A, B, or C" means "A, or B, or C, or AB, or AC, or BC, or ABC (i.e., A, and B, and C).

Machine-readable media includes both computer storage media and communications media, which includes any media that allows a computer program to be transferred from one place to another. The storage medium can be any existing medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or dedicated computer. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, a computer-readable medium may be RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), CD-ROM or other optical disk drive, magnetic disk drive or other magnetic storage device, or any other media , which can be used to carry or store required program code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. In addition, any connection, strictly speaking, is called a machine-readable medium. For example, when transmitting software from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave signals, Media definitions included coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave signals. As used herein, the term “disc” includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disc, and Blu-ray disc, one type of disc typically reproducing data magnetically, while While other types of disks reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of the term "machine readable medium".

The previous description of the invention is provided to enable one skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the description should not be limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be considered to the broadest extent in accordance with the principles and novel features described herein.

Claims (78)

1. A method of communication via a communications satellite (105, 405) having an antenna unit (106) containing a plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430), the method comprising: determining a first operating mode of a plurality of operating modes for providing communication service to terminals (150) within a service area that includes a first coverage area (415) associated with a first antenna (410) of the plurality of antennas, and a second coverage area (435) associated with a second antenna (430) of a plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430), wherein the second coverage area (435) at least partially overlaps with the first coverage area (415) and includes at least one gateway (160) for providing communication services via a communications satellite (105, 405), the first mode of operation corresponding to a first configuration (900, 1000) of respective polarizations with at least one of a plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) for receiving signals of each of the respective polarizations and at least one of a plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) for transmitting signals of each of the respective polarizations; operation of the communication satellite (105, 405) in accordance with the first operating mode; determining a second operating mode from a plurality of operating modes for providing a communication service, the second operating mode corresponding to a second configuration (400, 500, 600, 700) of respective polarizations with at least one of a plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) for receiving signals from each of respective polarizations and with at least one of a plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) for transmitting signals of each of the respective polarizations, and wherein the second configuration (400, 500, 600, 700) is different from the first configuration (900, 1000) ; switching the plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) of the antenna assembly (106) from the first operating mode to the second operating mode; And operation of the communication satellite (105, 405) in accordance with the second operating mode. 2. The method according to claim 1, in which: a first configuration (900, 1000) couples each of the respective polarizations to a first antenna (410) for receiving each of the respective polarizations for directing the first communication channel and a second antenna (430) for transmitting each of the corresponding polarizations for directing the first communication channel; And a second configuration (400, 500, 600, 700) couples one polarization of the corresponding polarizations to a first antenna (410) for receiving said one polarization to guide the first communication channel and a second antenna (430) to transmit said one polarization to guide the first communication channel. 3. The method according to claim 2, in which: for the first configuration (900, 1000), the second antenna (430) transmits signals of said one polarization at a first transmit power; A for the second configuration (400, 500, 600, 700), the second antenna (430) transmits signals of said one polarization with a second transmit power that is greater than the first transmit power. 4. Method according to any one of paragraphs. 1–3, in which: a first configuration (900, 1000) comprises a first forward communication link configuration (310) of a first one or more respective polarizations with one or more of a plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) for receiving signals of said first one or more corresponding polarizations and with one or more of a plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) for transmitting signals of said first one or more corresponding polarizations; A a second configuration (400, 500, 600, 700) comprises a second configuration (310) of a forward communication channel of a second one or more respective polarizations with one or more of a plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) for receiving signals from said second one or more of corresponding polarizations and with one or more of a plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) for transmitting signals of said first one or more corresponding polarizations, the second forward link configuration being different from the first forward link configuration. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first configuration (900, 1000) comprises a first reverse link configuration (320) of a third one or more corresponding polarizations with one or more of a plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) for receiving signals said third one or more of the respective polarizations and with one or more of a plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) for transmitting signals of the said third one or more of the corresponding polarizations, the method further comprising: determining a third operating mode from a plurality of operating modes for providing a communication service, wherein the third operating mode corresponds to a first forward communication channel configuration (310) and a second reverse communication channel configuration (320) of a fourth one or more respective polarizations with one or more of the plurality of antennas ( 410, 420, 430) for receiving signals of said fourth of one or more corresponding polarizations and from one or more of a plurality of antennas for transmitting signals of said fourth of one or more corresponding polarizations; switching the plurality of antenna nodes to a third operating mode; And operation of the communication satellite in accordance with the third operating mode. 6. The method according to claim 4, additionally containing: determining a third mode of operation from a plurality of modes of operation for providing a communication service, wherein the third mode of operation corresponds to a third configuration comprising a third forward communication channel configuration (310) of a third one or more corresponding polarizations with one or more of a plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430 ) for receiving said third signals of one or more corresponding polarizations and from one or more of a plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) for transmitting said third signals of one or more corresponding polarizations; switching the plurality of antenna nodes to a third operating mode; And operation of the communication satellite in accordance with the third operating mode. 7. Method according to any one of paragraphs. 1–6, in which: a first configuration (900, 1000) couples a first one or more corresponding polarizations to a first subset of a plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) for receiving and transmitting said first one or more corresponding polarizations; A a second configuration (400, 500, 600, 700) couples a second one or more of the respective polarizations to a second subset of a plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) for receiving and transmitting said second one or more of the corresponding polarizations, the second subset of the plurality antennas (410, 420, 430) is different from the first subset of the plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430). 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first subset of the plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) corresponds to the first antenna (410) and the second antenna (430), and the second subset of the plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) corresponds to the third antenna (420) and at least one of the first antenna (410) or the second antenna (430), wherein a third coverage area (425) associated with the third antenna (420) at least partially overlaps with at least one of the first coverage zone (415) or second coverage zone (435). 9. Method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8, wherein each antenna of the plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) of the antenna assembly (106) includes a plurality of feed elements. 10. Method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, wherein the second configuration (400, 500, 600, 700) couples one polarization of the corresponding polarizations to the first antenna (410) for receiving said one polarization and for transmitting said one polarization. 11. Method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10, wherein the first configuration (900, 1000) comprises first signals of the first polarization of the respective polarizations transmitted by the first antenna (410) and second signals of the first polarization transmitted by the second antenna (430). 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the beamforming configuration is applied to the first signals to reduce interference at one or more terminals (150) receiving the second signals within the second coverage area (435). 13. Method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-12, wherein the first configuration comprises first signals of the first polarization of the respective polarizations received by the first antenna (410) and second signals of the first polarization received by the second antenna (430). 14. Method according to any one of paragraphs. 1–13, additionally containing: determining a sequence of operating modes from a plurality of operating modes, wherein the sequence determines corresponding operating modes for respective time slots (210) of the plurality of time slots, wherein switching between the respective operating modes is carried out in accordance with the sequence of operating modes. 15. Method according to any one of paragraphs. 1–14, additionally containing: determining a dynamic switching event for switching the plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) of the antenna node (106) to a second operating mode; determining the occurrence of a dynamic switching event based at least in part on a technical characteristic associated with one or more of the first coverage area (415) or the second coverage area (435); And switching the plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) of the antenna assembly (106) to a second mode of operation based at least in part on the occurrence of a dynamic switching event. 16. Method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-15, wherein one or more antennas of the plurality of antennas (410, 420, 430) of the antenna assembly (106) include reflectors. 17. Communications satellite (105, 405) for providing communication services to terminals (150) within the service area, containing: an antenna unit (106) configured to transmit signals of corresponding polarizations, wherein the antenna unit (106) contains: a first antenna (410) comprising a first set of feed elements having a first set of ports associated with a first polarization and a second set of ports associated with a second polarization, the first antenna (410) associated with a first service area coverage area (415); a second antenna (430) comprising a second set of feed elements having a third set of ports associated with a first polarization, and a fourth set of ports associated with a second polarization, wherein the second antenna (430) is associated with a second coverage area (435) of the service area, wherein the second service area (435) at least partially overlaps with the first service area (415); a first repeater comprising a first receive circuit (3230) connected to the first set of ports, a first transmit circuit (3240) connected to the first set of ports, and a second transmit circuit (3245) connected to the second set of ports; And a second repeater comprising a second receive circuit (3230) connected to the third set of ports, a third transmit circuit (3240) connected to the third set of ports, and a third receive circuit (3235) connected to the fourth set of ports; And a reconfigurable switching subsystem (3205) coupled to a first receive circuit (3230), a first transmit circuit (3240), a second transmit circuit (3245), a second receive circuit (3230), a third receive circuit (3235), and a third transmit circuit (3240) ; control system (175) configured to: controlling a reconfigurable switching subsystem (3205) in accordance with a first operating mode of a plurality of operating modes for providing communication services to terminals (150) within a service area, wherein for the first operating mode, the control system controls the reconfigurable switching subsystem (3205) to connect the first circuit (3230 ) receiving with a third transmission circuit (3240), a third receiving circuit (3235) with a second transmission circuit (3245), and a second receiving circuit (3230) with a first transmission circuit (3240); ensuring the functioning of the communication satellite in accordance with the first operating mode; controlling a reconfigurable switching subsystem (3205) in accordance with a second operating mode of a plurality of operating modes for providing communication services to terminals (150) within a service area, wherein for the second operating mode, the control system (175) controls the reconfigurable switching subsystem (3205) to connect the first a receiving circuit (3230) with a third transmitting circuit (3240) and a third receiving circuit (3235) with a second transmitting circuit (3245) and disconnecting the second receiving circuit (3230) from the first transmitting circuit (3240); And ensuring the functioning of the communication satellite in accordance with the second operating mode. 18. Communications satellite (105, 405) according to clause 17, in which: for the first mode of operation, the direction of the first communication channel is provided by the first signals associated with the first polarization received at the second antenna (430) from the gateway (160) located within the second coverage area (435), and by the second signals associated with a second polarization received at a second antenna (430) from the gateway (160); And for the second mode of operation, the direction of the first communication channel is provided using third signals associated with the second polarization received at the second antenna (430) from the gateway (160). 19. Communications satellite (105, 405) according to clause 18, in which: for the first mode of operation, a second antenna (430) transmits second signals through a second repeater at a first transmit power; And for a second mode of operation, a second antenna (430) transmits third signals through a second repeater with a second transmit power that is greater than the first transmit power. 20. Communication satellite (105, 405) according to any one of claims. 17–19, in which the antenna assembly additionally contains: a third antenna (420) comprising a third set of feed elements having a fifth set of ports associated with a first polarization, wherein the third antenna (420) is associated with a third coverage area (425) of the service area, wherein the third coverage area (425) is at least partially overlaps with the first coverage zone (415); And a third repeater comprising a fourth receiving circuit (3230) connected to a fifth set of ports, wherein a reconfigurable switching subsystem (3205) is connected to a fourth receiving circuit (3230), wherein the control system (175) is configured to: controlling a reconfigurable switching subsystem (3205) in accordance with a third operating mode of a plurality of operating modes for providing communication services to terminals (150) within a service area, wherein for the third operating mode, the control system controls the reconfigurable switching subsystem (3205) for interconnecting a fourth circuit (3230 ) receiving with a third transmission circuit (3240) and a third receiving circuit (3235) with a second transmission circuit (3245); And ensuring the functioning of the communication satellite (105, 405) in accordance with the third operating mode. 21. Communication satellite (105, 405) according to any one of claims. 17–19, in which the antenna assembly (106) additionally contains: a third antenna (420) comprising a third set of feed elements having a fifth set of ports associated with a first polarization, wherein the third antenna (420) is associated with a third coverage area (425) of the service area, wherein the third coverage area (425) is at least partially overlaps with the first coverage zone (415); And a third repeater comprising a fourth transmission circuit (3240) coupled to a fifth set of ports, wherein a reconfigurable switching subsystem (3205) is coupled to the fourth transmission circuit (3240), wherein the control system (175) is configured to: controlling a reconfigurable switching subsystem (3205) in accordance with a third operating mode of a plurality of operating modes for providing communication services to terminals (150) within a service area, wherein for the third operating mode, the control system controls the reconfigurable switching subsystem (3205) for interconnecting a second circuit (3230 ) receiving with a fourth transmission circuit (3240) and a third receiving circuit (3235) with a second transmission circuit (3245); And ensuring the functioning of the communication satellite (105, 405) in accordance with the third operating mode. 22. Communication satellite (105, 405) according to any one of claims. 17–21, in which the control system (175) is configured to: controlling a reconfigurable switching subsystem (3205) in accordance with a third operating mode of a plurality of operating modes for providing communication services to terminals (150) within a service area, wherein for the third operating mode, the control system (175) controls the reconfigurable switching subsystem (3205) to connect the second reception circuits (3230) with a third transmission circuit (3240); And ensuring the functioning of the communication satellite (105, 405) in accordance with the third operating mode. 23. Communication satellite (105, 405) according to any one of claims. 17-22, in which a beamforming configuration is applied to first signals transmitted from a first antenna (410) to reduce interference at one or more terminals (150) receiving second signals transmitted from a second antenna (430) within a second zone ( 435) coatings. 24. Communication satellite (105, 405) according to any one of claims. 17–23, in which the control system (175) is configured to: determining a sequence of operating modes from a plurality of operating modes, the sequence determining corresponding operating modes for corresponding time intervals (210) from the plurality of time intervals; And controlling the reconfigurable switching subsystem (3205) in accordance with the corresponding operating modes of the sequence of operating modes. 25. Communication satellite (105, 405) according to any one of claims. 17–24, in which the control system (175) is configured to: determining a dynamic switching event to control the reconfigurable switching subsystem (3205) to switch to a second mode of operation; determining the occurrence of a dynamic switching event based at least in part on a technical characteristic associated with one or more of the first coverage zone (415) or the second coverage zone (435), wherein control of the reconfigurable switching subsystem (3205) in accordance with the second operating mode is based on at least partly on the occurrence of a dynamic switching event. 26. Communication satellite (105, 405) according to any one of claims. 17-25, wherein the first antenna (410), the second antenna (430), or both antennas include reflectors for transmitting and receiving signals between the antenna assembly (106) and one or more terminals (150) within the service area.