Broadband satellite communication system using optical feeder links
First Claim
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1. A satellite communication system comprising:
- a beamformer comprising;
a plurality of beamformer inputs, each configured to receive signals to be directed to a user spot beam;
a plurality of beamformer outputs, each configured to output a beam element signal;
a pilot output configured to output a timing pilot signal; and
a SAN comprising;
a plurality of optical modulators each having an electrical input and an optical output, at least one electrical input coupled to a corresponding output from the beamformer and at least one electrical input configured to receive the timing pilot signal;
an optical combiner coupled to the optical outputs of the plurality of optical modulators; and
an optical lens coupled to the output of the optical combiner and configured to transmit an optical signal;
a satellite comprising;
a satellite optical receiver having a steerable lens pointed at the SAN and configured to receive the optical signal, the satellite optical receiver having a plurality of radio frequency (RF) outputs;
a plurality of power amplifiers (PA), each having an input and an output, the inputs coupled to the RF outputs; and
an antenna array having a plurality of antenna elements, each antenna element having an input coupled to a corresponding one of the PA outputs.
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Abstract
Broadband satellite communications systems using optical feeder links are disclosed. Various optical modulation schemes are disclosed that can provide improved capacity for fixed spot beam, on board beamforming, and ground-based beamforming broadband satellite systems.
19 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A satellite communication system comprising:
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a beamformer comprising; a plurality of beamformer inputs, each configured to receive signals to be directed to a user spot beam; a plurality of beamformer outputs, each configured to output a beam element signal; a pilot output configured to output a timing pilot signal; and a SAN comprising; a plurality of optical modulators each having an electrical input and an optical output, at least one electrical input coupled to a corresponding output from the beamformer and at least one electrical input configured to receive the timing pilot signal; an optical combiner coupled to the optical outputs of the plurality of optical modulators; and an optical lens coupled to the output of the optical combiner and configured to transmit an optical signal; a satellite comprising; a satellite optical receiver having a steerable lens pointed at the SAN and configured to receive the optical signal, the satellite optical receiver having a plurality of radio frequency (RF) outputs; a plurality of power amplifiers (PA), each having an input and an output, the inputs coupled to the RF outputs; and an antenna array having a plurality of antenna elements, each antenna element having an input coupled to a corresponding one of the PA outputs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification