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Combined global/spot beam configuration for satellite communications

  • US 4,868,886 A
  • Filed: 06/14/1988
  • Issued: 09/19/1989
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A combined global/spot beam configuration for communications satellites, said satellites handling signals transmitted along a plurality of channels, said configuration comprising:

  • a low noise receiver for receiving a first signal of a first frequency and converting it to a second signal of a second frequency;

    automatic level control means for adjusting a level of said second signal received from said low noise receiver and outputting a third, level-controlled signal;

    a high power amplifier subsystem including a divider for receiving said third signal from said automatic level control means and dividing it into fourth and fifth signals;

    means for receiving said fourth signal and for dividing said fourth signal into sixth and seventh signals, said sixth signal corresponding to a first channel, and said seventh signal corresponding to a second channel;

    means for combining said sixth and seventh signals to produce a first combined signal;

    an input feed network for receiving said first combined signal and said fifth signal and providing an output accordingly;

    a plurality of traveling wave tube amplifiers connected in a ring-redundancy configuration for receiving said output of said input feed network;

    first and second output feed networks for receiving outputs of said plurality of traveling wave tube amplifiers and providing first and second feed network outputs accordingly; and

    a transmit array for receiving said feed network outputs, said transmit array being divided into first and second portions said first portion comprising elements which are energized in response to at least said first feed network output to provide a global beam, and said second portion comprising elements which are energized in response to said second feed network output, wherein both of said first and second portions are energized to provide a spot beam.

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