Satellite switching system
First Claim
1. A satellite system employing onboard switching comprising:
- receiving antenna means for providing a multiplicity of up path antenna beams directed toward different areas on the ground,a plurality of input amplifiers connected to said receiving antenna means for amplifying signals received in said multiplicity of up path antenna beams,a plurality of output amplifiers,input switch means for connecting the output of only one selected input amplifier to the input of an output amplifier,transmitting antenna means for providing a multiplicity of down path antenna beams directed toward different areas on the ground,output switch means for connecting the output of one or more selected output amplifiers to said transmitting antenna means to couple energy into one or more selected down path antenna beams, andswitch control means for controlling said input switch means and said output switch means whereby a desired up path antenna beam is connected through a selected output amplifier to a desired down path antenna beam.
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Abstract
A multi-beam satellite switching system employs onboard switching for the purpose of increasing the up path and down path antenna gains. A multiplicity of up path antenna beams and of down path antenna beams (not necessarily the same number of each direction) are provided by the system. A number of amplifier systems are distributed across the frequency band of interest. These amplifier systems comprise input amplifiers including filters, frequency converters and output amplifiers. A switching and control circuit accepts an up path signal from only the desired input amplifier and connects the desired output amplifier to the desired down path beam. Each earth station transmits to the satellite a suitable signal to perform the desired switching functions.
138 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A satellite system employing onboard switching comprising:
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receiving antenna means for providing a multiplicity of up path antenna beams directed toward different areas on the ground, a plurality of input amplifiers connected to said receiving antenna means for amplifying signals received in said multiplicity of up path antenna beams, a plurality of output amplifiers, input switch means for connecting the output of only one selected input amplifier to the input of an output amplifier, transmitting antenna means for providing a multiplicity of down path antenna beams directed toward different areas on the ground, output switch means for connecting the output of one or more selected output amplifiers to said transmitting antenna means to couple energy into one or more selected down path antenna beams, and switch control means for controlling said input switch means and said output switch means whereby a desired up path antenna beam is connected through a selected output amplifier to a desired down path antenna beam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification