Non-geostationary orbit satellite communication system frequency planning

Abstract

A satellite in a communication system may be equipped with an antenna system comprising: various configurations of an antenna array on one or more sides of the satellite for receiving and transmitting signals; and a transponder system coupled with such an antenna array, the transponder system configured to route signals between the one or more receiving ports and the one or more transmission ports. Such antenna arrays may be configured to support directional reception, directional transmission, or both, and the repeater system may take one or more aspects of signal processing. A satellite may be configured with a particular combination of components in a receive system and a transmit system, and a corresponding repeater system may include various signal paths that support a combination of coupling and associated signal processing between output and input ports to support various techniques for relay communications via the satellite.

Description

Cross-referencing

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 491,022 entitled “LOW EARTH ORBIT SATELLITE SYSTEM”, filed on March 17, 2023, which has been assigned to its assignee and is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The following relates to communication systems, including technologies used in non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite communication systems. Background Technology

[0003] In some communication systems, terrestrial terminals can support radio signaling for communication services via constellations of satellites in corresponding non-geostationary orbits (NGSOs), such as low Earth orbit (LEO) or medium Earth orbit (MEO). For example, satellites in such systems can be configured with one or more antennas that support communication with ground-segment terminals (e.g., gateway terminals, user terminals) or communication between these terminals, and can support reconfiguration of various aspects to facilitate communication as the satellite traverses its orbital path (e.g., for communication with different terminals or different locations). Some NGSO satellite communication systems can implement a relatively large number of satellites to maintain quality of service, such as providing continuous service coverage to user terminals via one or more satellites in a constellation. To support the deployment of a relatively large number of satellites in NGSO satellite communication systems, various design trade-offs are considered among satellite characteristics, including cost, complexity, performance, power consumption, reliability, weight, size, form factor, etc. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technology relates to a communication system that implements satellites in non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) to support wireless signaling for communication services. Such a satellite communication system may include a constellation of NGSO satellites that supports the relaying of signals between target devices, such as between a gateway terminal and a user terminal. For example, satellites in an NGSO communication system may support receiving uplink signals (e.g., forward uplink signals from a gateway terminal and return uplink signals from a user terminal) and transmitting downlink signals based on the received uplink signals (e.g., transmitting forward downlink signals to a user terminal and returning downlink signals to a gateway terminal) (e.g., configured according to a bend-through payload or a processing payload). In some embodiments, signals from an NGSO communication system may be relayed via multiple satellites in a constellation, such that one or more satellites in the NGSO communication system may support receiving crosslink signals (e.g., from another satellite), transmitting crosslink signals (e.g., to another satellite), or both.

[0005] Communication satellites in an NGSO communication system may be equipped with an antenna system comprising: various configurations of antenna arrays for receiving and transmitting signals; and a transponder system coupled to such antenna arrays, the transponder system being configured to route signals between one or more receive ports (e.g., a receiving system) and one or more transmit ports (e.g., a transmitting system) of the antenna system. In some examples, the antenna arrays or associated circuitry may be configured to perform directional reception (e.g., receive beamforming), directional transmission (e.g., transmit beamforming), or both, along one or more directions (e.g., beam direction, simultaneously one or more directions, or one or more directions configured according to beam hopping). In some examples, the transponder system between the array for signal reception and the array for signal transmission may perform one or more aspects of signal processing, such as frequency conversion, demodulation or modulation, multiplexing, signal extraction or insertion, analog-to-digital conversion or digital-to-analog conversion, or other examples of signal processing.

[0006] To support payloads that can be efficiently implemented across a relatively large number of satellites, NGSO satellites can be configured with specific combinations of components in a receiving system (e.g., one or more receiving antenna systems, one or more receiving subsystems), a transmission system (e.g., one or more transmitting antenna systems, one or more transmitting subsystems), and a transponder system between the receiving and transmission systems (e.g., for supporting various aspects of relay communication). For example, according to the examples disclosed herein, an NGSO satellite may include a receiving system having one or more antenna elements (e.g., receiving elements, direct-radiating antenna elements, receiving arrays, panel arrays, phased arrays) on one side of the satellite (e.g., the side of the satellite, the nacelle), and a transmission system having one or more antenna elements (e.g., transmitting elements, direct-radiating antenna elements, transmitting arrays, panel arrays, phased arrays) on the same side of the satellite. In some examples, such receiving and transmission systems can be configured to simultaneously support forward link signaling (e.g., from a gateway terminal to one or more user terminals) and return link signaling (e.g., from one or more user terminals to a gateway terminal), which can implement signal orthogonality, such as different polarizations or different frequency ranges between forward link signaling and return link signaling.

[0007] Transponder systems in such NGSO satellites can be configured with a forward link path (e.g., a forward link signaling path) and a return link path (e.g., a return link signaling path). For example, the forward link path can be coupled between a first output port of the receiving system and a first input port of the transmitting system. In some examples, the forward link path may be associated with a first signal polarization (e.g., a signal received by the receiving system, a signal transmitted by the transmitting system, or both). Furthermore, the return link path can be coupled between a second output port of the receiving system and a second input port of the transmitting system, and in some examples, the return link path may be associated with a second signal polarization (e.g., orthogonal to the first signal polarization). In some such implementations, the receiving and transmitting systems can be configured for signaling in different frequency ranges (e.g., non-overlapping frequency ranges), which can improve signal isolation between uplink and downlink signals. In such communication systems, user terminals can be located relatively close to the gateway terminal providing communication with the user terminal (e.g., within the beamforming scanning capability of the receiving and transmitting systems, within the service coverage area), allowing the corresponding antenna elements of the receiving and transmitting systems implemented on the same plane of the NGSO satellite to support relatively efficient payloads.

[0008] In some examples, NGSO satellites according to the disclosed technology can also be configured to support cross-link signaling, which can implement one or more additional antenna systems (e.g., one or more additional arrays on different surfaces of the satellite). For example, an NGSO satellite may include another receiving system (e.g., another receiving array, another panel array) on another surface of the satellite (e.g., the surface opposite to the surface including the forward / return link antenna system, i.e., the zenith surface), or it may include another receiving system and another transmission system (e.g., the surface perpendicular to the nadir surface, supporting cross-link relay that can be independent of forward link relay or return link relay or both) on different surfaces of the satellite (e.g., opposite surfaces). The corresponding transponder system may include one or more additional signal paths (e.g., in addition to the forward link path and the return link path), thereby supporting various combinations of coupling and associated signal processing between the output ports and input ports of multiple antenna systems on different surfaces of the satellite.

[0009] NGSO satellites in such configurations may also include control systems (e.g., one or more controllers) that support various operating modes of the satellite. For example, such control systems may be configured to enable various signal paths of the transponder system (e.g., beam signal paths, relay paths, transponders) to support various couplings between the receiving and transmitting systems, including signal processing-related aspects. Additionally or alternatively, such control systems may be configured for directional reception, directional transmission, or both, such as modifying beam weights or beam hopping at one or more beamforming networks of the receiving, transmitting, or both systems. Additionally or alternatively, such control systems may be configured to modify the satellite's orbital characteristics (e.g., in coordination with enabling transponder signal paths and configuring beamforming parameters), such as modifying the satellite's alignment (e.g., using the satellite's angular momentum system to perform a body turn to align the satellite surface or antenna system in various directions) or altering the orbital path itself (e.g., using thrusters to change the satellite's altitude or reorient the satellite's orbital path). In various implementations, such control systems may operate based on configurations at the satellite (e.g., pre-configuration, hardware configuration, software configuration), signaling received at the satellite (e.g., command signaling, parameter signaling, instructions from the network controller, from the terminal), detections at the satellite (e.g., sensor measurements, communication measurements, detection of satellite characteristics, detection of signal quality characteristics, detection of characteristics of satellite relay communication, detection of environmental characteristics), or any combination thereof.

[0010] Therefore, according to these and other aspects of this disclosure, satellites can be configured for NGSO communication systems with payloads that support the efficient deployment of constellations of relatively large numbers of satellites. Furthermore, NGSO communication systems can be configured to operate such constellations of satellites in a relatively flexible manner, such as configuring satellites for various physical orientations, signaling orientations (e.g., beamforming orientations), and transponder configurations (e.g., signal path configurations between one or more receiving systems and one or more transmitting systems) for uplink signaling, downlink signaling, cross-link signaling, or various combinations thereof. Such techniques can offer particular advantages in trade-offs such as cost, complexity, performance, power consumption, reliability, weight, size, form factor, etc., for the deployment and operation of various NGSO satellite communication systems.

[0011] The further applicability of the methods and systems described in this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, claims, and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are given by way of illustration only, as various changes and modifications made within the scope of this specification will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 A diagram of a communication system supporting a technology for an NGSO satellite communication system, based on examples disclosed herein, is shown.

[0013] Figure 2A and Figure 2B An example of a satellite is shown that supports a technology for an NGSO satellite communication system, as illustrated in the examples disclosed herein.

[0014] Figure 3 An example of a payload supporting a technology for an NGSO satellite communication system is shown, based on examples disclosed herein.

[0015] Figure 4 An example of payload configuration supporting a technology for an NGSO satellite communication system is shown, based on examples disclosed herein.

[0016] Figure 5A and Figure 5B An example of a satellite is shown that supports a technology for an NGSO satellite communication system, as illustrated in the examples disclosed herein.

[0017] Figure 6 An example of a payload supporting a technology for an NGSO satellite communication system is shown, based on examples disclosed herein.

[0018] Figures 7A to 7GAn example of payload configuration based on the technologies disclosed herein that support NGSO satellite communication systems is shown.

[0019] Figure 8A and Figure 8B An example of a satellite is shown that supports a technology for an NGSO satellite communication system, as illustrated in the examples disclosed herein.

[0020] Figure 9 An example of a payload supporting a technology for an NGSO satellite communication system is shown, based on examples disclosed herein.

[0021] Figures 10A to 10G An example of payload configuration based on the technologies disclosed herein that support NGSO satellite communication systems is shown.

[0022] Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating a method 1100 for supporting technologies for NGSO satellite communication systems, based on examples disclosed herein, is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Satellite communication systems may include constellations of NGSO satellites that support signal relay between target devices, such as between a gateway terminal and a user terminal. For example, satellites in an NGSO communication system may support receiving uplink signals (e.g., forward uplink signals from a gateway terminal and return uplink signals from a user terminal) and transmitting downlink signals based on the received uplink signals (e.g., transmitting forward downlink signals to a user terminal and returning downlink signals to a gateway terminal) (e.g., configured according to a bend payload or a processing payload). In some embodiments, signals from an NGSO communication system may be relayed via multiple satellites in a constellation, such that one or more satellites in the NGSO communication system may support receiving crosslink signals (e.g., from another satellite), transmitting crosslink signals (e.g., to another satellite), or both.

[0024] Communication satellites in an NGSO communication system may be equipped with an antenna system comprising: various configurations of antenna arrays for receiving and transmitting signals; and a transponder system coupled to such antenna arrays, the transponder system being configured to route signals between one or more receive ports (e.g., a receiving system) and one or more transmit ports (e.g., a transmitting system) of the antenna system. In some examples, the antenna arrays or associated circuitry may be configured to perform directional reception (e.g., receive beamforming), directional transmission (e.g., transmit beamforming), or both, along one or more directions (e.g., beam direction, simultaneously one or more directions, or one or more directions configured according to beam hopping). In some examples, the transponder system between the array for signal reception and the array for signal transmission may perform one or more aspects of signal processing, such as frequency conversion, demodulation or modulation, multiplexing, signal extraction or insertion, analog-to-digital conversion or digital-to-analog conversion, or other examples of signal processing.

[0025] To support payloads that can be efficiently implemented across a relatively large number of satellites, NGSO satellites can be configured with specific combinations of components in a receiving system (e.g., one or more receiving antenna systems), a transmission system (e.g., one or more transmitting antenna systems), and a transponder system between the receiving and transmission systems (e.g., for supporting various aspects of relay communication). For example, according to the examples disclosed herein, an NGSO satellite may include a receiving system having one or more antenna elements (e.g., receiving elements, direct-radiating antenna elements, receiving arrays, panel arrays, phased arrays) on one side of the satellite (e.g., the side of the satellite, the nacelle), and a transmission system having one or more antenna elements (e.g., transmitting elements, direct-radiating antenna elements, transmitting arrays, panel arrays, phased arrays) on the same side of the satellite. In some examples, such receiving and transmission systems can be configured to simultaneously support forward link signaling (e.g., from a gateway terminal to one or more user terminals) and return link signaling (e.g., from one or more user terminals to a gateway terminal), which can implement signal orthogonality, such as different polarizations or different frequency ranges between forward link signaling and return link signaling.

[0026] Transponder systems in such NGSO satellites can be configured with a forward link path (e.g., a forward link signaling path) and a return link path (e.g., a return link signaling path). For example, the forward link path can be coupled between a first output port of the receiving system and a first input port of the transmitting system. In some examples, the forward link path may be associated with a first signal polarization (e.g., a signal received by the receiving system, a signal transmitted by the transmitting system, or both). Furthermore, the return link path can be coupled between a second output port of the receiving system and a second input port of the transmitting system, and in some examples, the return link path may be associated with a second signal polarization (e.g., orthogonal to the first signal polarization). In some such implementations, the receiving and transmitting systems can be configured for signaling in different frequency ranges (e.g., non-overlapping frequency ranges), which can improve signal isolation between uplink and downlink signals. In such communication systems, user terminals can be located relatively close to the gateway terminal providing communication with the user terminal (e.g., within the beamforming scanning capability of the receiving and transmitting systems, within the service coverage area), allowing the corresponding antenna elements of the receiving and transmitting systems implemented on the same plane of the NGSO satellite to support relatively efficient payloads.

[0027] In some examples, NGSO satellites according to the disclosed technology can also be configured to support cross-link signaling, which can implement one or more additional antenna systems (e.g., one or more additional arrays on different surfaces of the satellite). For example, an NGSO satellite may include another receiving system (e.g., another receiving array, another panel array) on another surface of the satellite (e.g., the surface opposite to the surface including the forward / return link antenna system, i.e., the zenith surface), or it may include another receiving system and another transmission system (e.g., the surface perpendicular to the nadir surface, supporting cross-link relay that can be independent of forward link relay or return link relay or both) on different surfaces of the satellite (e.g., opposite surfaces). The corresponding transponder system may include one or more additional signal paths (e.g., in addition to the forward link path and the return link path), thereby supporting various combinations of coupling and associated signal processing between the output ports and input ports of multiple antenna systems on different surfaces of the satellite.

[0028] NGSO satellites in such configurations may also include control systems (e.g., one or more controllers) that support various operating modes of the satellite. For example, such control systems may be configured to enable various signal paths of the transponder system (e.g., beam signal paths, relay paths, transponders) to support various couplings between the receiving and transmitting systems, including signal processing-related aspects. Additionally or alternatively, such control systems may be configured for directional reception, directional transmission, or both, such as modifying beam weights or beam hopping at one or more beamforming networks of the receiving, transmitting, or both systems. Additionally or alternatively, such control systems may be configured to modify the satellite's orbital characteristics (e.g., in coordination with enabling transponder signal paths and configuring beamforming parameters), such as modifying the satellite's alignment (e.g., using the satellite's angular momentum system to perform a body turn to align the satellite surface or antenna system in various directions) or altering the orbital path itself (e.g., using thrusters to change the satellite's altitude or reorient the satellite's orbital path). In various implementations, such control systems may operate based on configurations at the satellite (e.g., pre-configuration, hardware configuration, software configuration), signaling received at the satellite (e.g., command signaling, parameter signaling, instructions from the network controller, from the terminal), detections at the satellite (e.g., sensor measurements, communication measurements, detection of satellite characteristics, detection of signal quality characteristics, detection of characteristics of satellite relay communication, detection of environmental characteristics), or any combination thereof.

[0029] Therefore, according to these and other aspects of this disclosure, satellites can be configured for NGSO communication systems with payloads that support the efficient deployment of constellations of relatively large numbers of satellites. Furthermore, NGSO communication systems can be configured to operate such constellations of satellites in a relatively flexible manner, such as configuring satellites for various physical orientations, signaling orientations (e.g., beamforming orientations), and transponder configurations (e.g., signal path configurations between one or more receiving systems and one or more transmitting systems) for uplink signaling, downlink signaling, cross-link signaling, or various combinations thereof. Such techniques can offer particular advantages in trade-offs such as cost, complexity, performance, power consumption, reliability, weight, size, form factor, etc., for the deployment and operation of various NGSO satellite communication systems.

[0030] refer to Figure 1 The features of this disclosure are first described in the context of satellite communication systems. (References) Figures 2A to 10G Features of this disclosure are also described in the context of exemplary satellites, payloads, and payload configurations.

[0031] Figure 1A diagram is shown illustrating a communication system 100 (e.g., a satellite communication system) supporting technologies for NGSO satellite communication systems, as illustrated in the examples disclosed herein. The communication system 100 can use various architectures to support communication services, such as those including a ground segment 101 and a space segment 102. The space segment 102 may include one or more satellites 120 (e.g., communication satellites). The ground segment 101 may include ground terminals, such as one or more user terminals 150 (e.g., service consumer terminals) and one or more gateway terminals 130 (e.g., access node terminals, network terminals, service provider terminals), and network devices 141, such as a network operations center (NOC), a satellite and gateway terminal command center, etc. In some embodiments, the terminals of the communication system 100 (e.g., gateway terminals 130) may be communicatively coupled to each other, or communicatively coupled to one or more networks 140, or a combination thereof (e.g., via a mesh network, a star network, a wired network, or a wireless network).

[0032] Satellite 120 may include any suitable type of satellite configured for wireless communication with or between gateway terminal 130 and user terminal 150 (e.g., for providing communication services). In some examples, one or more of satellites 120 (e.g., all satellites in satellite 120) may be in corresponding orbits in which the position of satellite 120 relative to the Earth changes over time (e.g., NGSO, such as Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)). Although at least some techniques are described herein with reference to satellite 120 as an example of a device supporting relay communication between ground terminals, one or more of the techniques described herein can be applied to other types of devices that can operatively relay signaling (e.g., between ground terminals), which may typically be in an airborne location relative to the ground terminals (e.g., aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, drones, airships), or may be ground repeaters, including mobile or fixed repeater devices.

[0033] Communication system 100 may support uplink signaling (e.g., from ground segment 101 to space segment 102), downlink signaling (e.g., from space segment 102 to ground segment 101), cross-link signaling (e.g., between devices in space segment 102, such as between satellites 120), or any combination thereof. Communication system 100 may also support forward signaling (e.g., from gateway terminal 130 to user terminal 150) and return signaling (e.g., from user terminal 150 to gateway terminal 130), as well as other signaling (e.g., signaling between gateway terminals 130, signaling between user terminals 150, signaling between satellites 120) or any combination thereof. For example, satellite 120 may receive uplink signal 132 (e.g., forward uplink signal) from one or more gateway terminals 130, and may also transmit downlink signal 172 (e.g., forward downlink signal) to one or more user terminals 150, which may be associated with relay forwardlink signaling (e.g., including relay forwardlink signaling). Additionally or alternatively, satellite 120 may receive uplink signal 173 (e.g., return uplink signal) from one or more user terminals 150, and may also transmit downlink signal 133 (e.g., return downlink signal) to one or more gateway terminals 130, which may be associated with relay returnlink signaling. Additionally or alternatively, the first satellite 120 may transmit a cross-link signal 175 that can be received by the second satellite 120, which may include forward cross-link signaling (e.g., between forward uplink signal 132 and forward downlink signal 172), return cross-link signaling (e.g., between return uplink signal 173 and return downlink signal 133), or a combination thereof.

[0034] Various physical layer modulation and coding techniques, such as Multi-Frequency Time Division Multiple Access (MF-TDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), or any hybrid or other schemes known in the art, can be supported for signal communication between gateway terminal 130 and user terminal 150 (e.g., via one or more satellites 120). In various examples, the physical layer technology can be the same for each of signals 132, 133, 172, 173, and 175, or some of these signals can use a different physical layer technology than the others. Satellite 120 can support communication using one or more frequency bands and any number of their sub-bands. For example, one or more of satellites 120 can respectively support operation in any or more of the W band, V band, Ka band, K band, Ku band, X band, C band, S band, L band, or V band, other bands, or combinations thereof.

[0035] Satellite 120 may include a system of one or more antennas (e.g., one or more antenna systems, one or more transmission subsystems, one or more receiving subsystems), such as panel arrays, phased array antennas, direct-radiating phased array antennas, phased array feed reflector (PAFR) antennas, or any other components known in the art for transmitting or receiving signals for communication services. In some examples, the antenna system may support communication via one or more beamforming beams 125 (e.g., beams associated with directional transmission, beams associated with directional reception, beams associated with both directional transmission and directional reception), which may be referred to as point beams, service beams, satellite beams, or any other suitable term. Signals may be delivered via an array of feed elements of the antenna system of satellite 120 (e.g., via beamformers) to transmit or receive spatial electromagnetic radiation patterns (e.g., scan volumes) of beam 125. In some examples, beam 125 may use a single carrier (e.g., a frequency or a continuous frequency range) or otherwise be associated with a single carrier.

[0036] In some examples, beam 125 may be configured (e.g., by location, by frequency range, by polarization) to support only gateway terminal 130 (e.g., a single gateway terminal 130), in which case beam 125 may be referred to as a gateway beam or gateway point beam (e.g., gateway beam 125-a). For example, gateway beam 125-a may be configured to support one or more uplink signals 132 (e.g., forward uplink signals, as the receive beam of satellite 120) between satellite 120 and gateway terminal 130, one or more downlink signals 133 (e.g., return downlink signals, as the transmit beam of satellite 120) between satellite 120 and gateway terminal 130, or combinations thereof. In some examples, satellite 120 may support a first gateway beam 125 (e.g., an uplink gateway beam, a forward gateway beam) for receiving uplink signals 132 (e.g., forward uplink signals to output forward uplink beam signals), and may support a second gateway beam 125 (e.g., a downlink gateway beam, a return gateway beam) for transmitting downlink signals 133 (e.g., return downlink signals to obtain return downlink beam signals). In various examples, such techniques may include gateway beam 125 aligned in the same direction from satellite 120 (e.g., toward the same gateway terminal 130 for simultaneously supporting forward and return traffic), or aligned in different directions from satellite 120 (e.g., toward correspondingly different gateway terminals 130 for forward and return traffic), or supported via different antenna systems of satellite 120 (e.g., a receive antenna system and a transmit antenna system) or portions thereof, or both.

[0037] In some examples, beam 125 may be configured (e.g., by location, by frequency range, by polarization) to support only user terminals 150 (e.g., one or more user terminals 150). In this case, beam 125 may be referred to as a user beam or user point beam (e.g., user beam 125-b). For example, user beam 125-b may be configured to support one or more downlink signals 172 (e.g., forward downlink signals, serving as the transmission beam of satellite 120), one or more uplink signals 173 (e.g., return uplink signals, serving as the reception beam of satellite 120), or combinations thereof between satellite 120 and user terminals 150. In some examples, satellite 120 may support a first user beam 125 (e.g., a downlink user point beam, a forward user point beam) for transmitting downlink signals 172 (e.g., forward downlink signals to output forward downlink beam signals), and may support a second user beam 125 (e.g., an uplink user point beam, a return user point beam) for receiving uplink signals 173 (e.g., return uplink signals to obtain return uplink beam signals). In various examples, such techniques may include user beams 125 aligned in the same direction from satellite 120 (e.g., toward the same portion of the service area for simultaneously supporting forward and return traffic in the same area), or user beams 125 aligned in different directions from satellite 120 (e.g., toward corresponding different portions of the service area for supporting forward and return traffic in different areas), or supported via different antenna systems of satellite 120 (e.g., a transmit antenna system and a receive antenna system) or portions thereof, or both.

[0038] In some examples, beam 125 can be configured to provide services to both user terminal 150 and gateway terminal 130. For example, beam 125 can be configured to support any combination of downlink signal 172, uplink signal 173, uplink signal 132, or downlink signal 133 between satellite 120 and user terminal 150 and gateway terminal 130. In some examples, satellite 120 can use beam 125 to transmit crosslink signal 175, or to receive crosslink signal 175, or both (not shown). Such techniques can be supported by satellite 120 using the same crosslink beam 125 for transmitting and receiving crosslink signal 175, or using a first crosslink beam 125 for transmitting crosslink signal 175 and a second crosslink beam 125 for receiving crosslink signal 175, which can be supported by the same or different antenna systems of satellite 120.

[0039] Beam 125 can support communication services with target devices (e.g., user terminal 150, gateway terminal 130, satellite 120) located within the volume of beam 125, such as within beam coverage area 126 (e.g., a point beam coverage area) or its projection (e.g., at different distances from a plane or surface of beam coverage area 126). Beam coverage area 126 can be defined by the area of ​​the electromagnetic radiation pattern associated with beam 125, such as the area projected onto the ground or other reference surface, having signal characteristics (e.g., signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR)) that are above or otherwise satisfy a threshold. The spot beam coverage area 126 can cover any suitable service area (e.g., circular, elliptical, hexagonal, local, regional, national, planar, non-planar) and can support communication services with any number of target devices located in the beam coverage area 126, including target devices located within the associated beam 125 (e.g., within the volume of the associated beam 125) but not necessarily at the reference surface of the beam coverage area 126, such as airborne terminals or underwater terminals.

[0040] In some examples, satellite 120 may support multiple beamforming beams 125, each associated with a corresponding beam coverage area 126, each of which may or may not overlap with another (e.g., adjacent) beam coverage area 126. For example, satellite 120 may use any number of beam coverage areas 126 to support one or more service areas (e.g., service coverage areas). A service area may be broadly defined as a coverage area where a ground transmission source or ground receiver can participate in communication services from and / or to that coverage area via one or more satellites 120 (e.g., transmit and / or receive signals associated with the communication service), and can be serviced by one or more beam coverage areas 126 via one or more satellites 120 (e.g., in NGSO, satellite 120 is capable of serving one or more beam coverage areas 126 that at least partially overlap with the service area for a given duration). In some systems, the service coverage area for each communication link (e.g., forward uplink coverage area, forward downlink coverage area, return uplink coverage area, and / or return downlink coverage area) may be different.

[0041] User terminal 150 may include various devices configured to transmit signals to satellite 120 or other target devices, including fixed terminals (e.g., ground-based fixed terminals) or mobile terminals (e.g., shipboard terminals, aircraft terminals, ground-based terminals), and other types of terminals. User terminal 150 may transmit information via satellite 120 or other target devices, which may include communication via gateway terminal 130 to destination devices (such as network device 141 or another device or distributed server associated with network 140). User terminal 150 may transmit signals according to a variety of physical layer transmission modulation and coding techniques, including, for example, those defined by DVB-S2, WiMAX, LTE, and DOCSIS standards, as well as other standards.

[0042] User terminal 150 may include antenna 155 configured to receive downlink signal 172 (e.g., from satellite 120), transmit uplink signal 173 (e.g., to satellite 120), or both. Antenna 155 may be part of antenna assembly 151 (e.g., user terminal antenna assembly), which may also include various hardware for mounting antenna 155 or determining its orientation. Antenna assembly 151 may also include circuitry and / or a processor for converting (e.g., performing frequency conversion, modulation / demodulation, multiplexing / demultiplexing, filtering, and forwarding) between radio frequency (RF) communication signals (e.g., downlink signal 172, uplink signal 173) and user terminal communication signals 157 transmitted between antenna 155 and user terminal controller 158. Such circuitry and / or a processor may be included in antenna assembly 151, which may be referred to as an integrated antenna assembly or a processor-integrated antenna assembly. Additionally or alternatively, the user terminal controller 158 may include circuitry for performing various RF signal operations, such as receiving, performing frequency conversion, modulation / demodulation, multiplexing / demultiplexing, etc. The antenna assembly 151 may also be referred to as a satellite outdoor unit (ODU), and the user terminal controller 158 may be referred to as an indoor unit (IDU).

[0043] In some examples, user terminal 150 can be configured for one-way or two-way communication with satellite 120 via beam 125 (e.g., user beam 125-b). In some embodiments, antenna 155 may include an array (e.g., a two-dimensional array, panel array, phased array) of feed elements 156 physically arranged in a feed array assembly, and the signals of the respective feed elements 156 may be manipulated according to various beamforming techniques (e.g., phase and / or amplitude manipulation) to support terminal beams (e.g., terminal point beams, not shown), such as transmit beams (e.g., for directional transmission) and receive beams (e.g., for directional reception). In other words, communication via antenna 155 may be electronically configurable using the array of feed elements 156 to align signal transmission and / or reception along a desired direction (e.g., terminal beam orientation). In some other embodiments, the signaling direction of antenna 155 may be mechanically configurable (e.g., mechanically steerable, with or without one or more reflectors, such as parabolic reflectors) or electronically and mechanically configurable, or antenna 155 may implement other technologies such as an omnidirectional antenna. Thus, antenna 155 may be configured to track satellite 120 in NGSO to support directional communication signals with satellite 120.

[0044] User terminal 150 can connect to one or more instances of Consumer Premises Equipment (CPE) 160 via wired or wireless connection 161, and can provide network access services (e.g., access to network 140, Internet access) or other communication services (e.g., broadcast media, multicast media) to CPE 160 via one or more devices of communication system 100. CPE 160 may include user equipment such as, but not limited to, computers, local area networks, internet-connected appliances, wireless networks, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), other handheld devices, netbooks, laptops, tablets, laptop computers, display devices (e.g., TVs, computer monitors), printers, sensors, vehicles, and other equipment. CPE 160 may also include any equipment located at the subscriber's premises, including routers, firewalls, switches, private branch exchange (PBX), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) gateways, etc. In some examples, user terminal 150 supports bidirectional communication between one or more CPEs 160 and one or more networks 140 (e.g., via one or more satellites 120, via one or more gateway terminals 130).

[0045] Gateway terminal 130 can service uplink signal 132 and downlink signal 133 (e.g., to and from one or more satellites 120). Gateway terminal 130 may also be referred to as a ground station, gateway, or hub. Gateway terminal 130 may include gateway antenna system 131 and gateway controller 135 (e.g., access node controller). Gateway antenna system 131 may be bidirectional and designed with sufficient transmit power and receive sensitivity to reliably communicate with one or more satellites 120. In some examples, gateway antenna system 131 may include a parabolic reflector with high directivity in the direction of satellite 120 and low directivity in other directions. Gateway antenna system 131 may include a variety of other configurations that support operational characteristics such as high isolation between orthogonal polarizations, high efficiency within the operating frequency band, low noise, and other features.

[0046] In some examples, gateway terminal 130 (e.g., gateway controller 135, access node controller) can schedule traffic to user terminal 150. Additionally or alternatively, traffic scheduling can be performed in other parts of the communication system 100 (e.g., at one or more network devices 141, which may include a NOC and / or gateway command center). Satellite 120 can communicate with gateway terminal 130 by transmitting downlink signal 133, receiving uplink signal 132, or both, via one or more beams 125 (e.g., gateway beam 125-a, which may be associated with a corresponding gateway beam coverage area 126-a). Gateway beam 125-a may, for example, support communication services of one or more user terminals 150 (e.g., relayed by satellite 120), or any other communication between satellite 120 and gateway terminal 130.

[0047] Gateway terminal 130 can provide an interface between network 140 and satellite 120, and can be configured to relay information directed between network 140 and one or more user terminals 150. Gateway terminal 130 can format the information for transmission to the appropriate user terminal 150. Additionally or alternatively, gateway terminal 130 can be configured to receive signals directed to destinations accessible via network 140 from satellite 120 (e.g., from one or more user terminals 150). Gateway terminal 130 can also format the received signals for transmission to network 140.

[0048] Network 140 can be any type of network and may include, for example, the Internet, Internet Protocol (IP) networks, intranets, wide area networks (WANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), local area networks (LANs), virtual private networks (VPNs), virtual LANs (VLANs), fiber optic networks, fiber-coaxial hybrid networks, cable networks, public switched telephone networks (PSTNs), public switched data networks (PSDNs), public land mobile networks, and / or any other type of network that supports communication between devices as described herein. Network 140 may include both wired and wireless connections as well as optical links. Network 140 may connect one or more gateway terminals 130 to other gateway terminals 130 that can communicate with satellite 120 or other satellites. One or more network devices 141 may be coupled to gateway terminals 130 and may control various aspects of communication system 100. In various examples, network devices 141 may be co-located with or otherwise located near gateway terminals 130, or may be remote facilities that communicate with gateway terminals 130 and / or network 140 via wired and / or wireless communication links.

[0049] In some examples, communication system 100 (e.g., space segment 102) may include a collection (e.g., a constellation) of multiple satellites 120 to support communication services. For example, the service area of ​​such communication services may be configured such that one or more satellites 120 passing through one or more service areas at a given time can provide communication services. In some examples, such technology may also be supported by communication system 100 including satellite 180, which may be a satellite in a different orbit than satellite 120 (e.g., geostationary orbit). Various technologies can be implemented for satellite 180 to support communication system 100. For example, satellite 180 may be configured to support data signaling with gateway terminal 130 or these gateway terminals (e.g., via signal 181, which may include uplink signaling, downlink signaling, or both), with user terminal 150 or these user terminals (e.g., via signal 182, which may include uplink signaling, downlink signaling, or both), or combinations thereof (e.g., as a relay between gateway terminal 130 and user terminal 150). Additionally or alternatively, satellite 180 may be configured to support data signaling with or via satellite 120 (e.g., via signal 183, as a GEO link signal), including the configuration of cross-link relay signaling supported (e.g., forward or return communication) via signal 183 on satellite 180. Additionally or alternatively, satellite 180 may support the transmission of configuration signaling, such as for configuring the operation of gateway terminal 130 (e.g., via signal 181), for configuring the operation of user terminal 150 (e.g., via signal 182), or for configuring the operation of satellite 120 (e.g., via signal 183), or any combination thereof.

[0050] Based on the examples disclosed herein, satellite 120 can be configured for a communication system 100 with a payload capable of efficiently deploying a constellation supporting a relatively large number of satellites 120. Furthermore, the communication system 100 can be configured to operate such a constellation of satellites 120 in a relatively flexible manner, such as configuring satellites 120 for various physical orientations, signaling orientations (e.g., beamforming orientations), and transponder configurations (e.g., signaling path configurations between one or more receiving systems and one or more transmitting systems of the satellite) for uplink signaling, downlink signaling, cross-link signaling, or various combinations thereof. Such techniques can provide particular advantages for trade-offs such as cost, complexity, performance, power consumption, reliability, weight, size, form factor, etc., for the deployment and operation of the satellite communication system 100.

[0051] Figure 2A and Figure 2B An example of satellite 120-a supporting technologies for an NGSO satellite communication system, as disclosed herein, is shown. Satellite 120-a can be configured for deployment in an NGSO and can support various aspects of the technologies described in communication system 100. For example, satellite 120-a can support targeted functions for receiving and transmitting (e.g., relaying) beam signals, which can allow for a relatively small size (e.g., compact form factor) and relatively low complexity of satellite 120-a. In some examples, the relatively small size of satellite 120-a (e.g., in an undeployed state) and other factors can support the relatively low cost and overhead associated with deploying satellite 120-a in communication system 100. For example, multiple satellites 120-a can be deployed from the same launch vehicle payload, rather than launching and deploying satellites 120-a separately. Although some technologies have been described with reference to satellite 120-a operating in NGSO, in some other examples, one or more of the technologies can be implemented in satellite 120 or satellite 180 operating in geostationary orbit, as well as in other implementations.

[0052] Satellite 120-a may have a generally prismatic shape (e.g., a cube shape, a cuboid shape, such as a cube satellite) and may be described with reference to the x, y, and z directions of coordinate system 200 (e.g., the coordinate system of satellite 120-a). Satellite 120-a may include a main body portion 210 having sides (e.g., surfaces that may be planar or curved), which may include side 211 (e.g., outward along the positive x direction), side 212 (e.g., outward along the negative x direction), side 213 (e.g., outward along the positive y direction), side 214 (e.g., outward along the negative y direction), side 215 (e.g., outward along the positive z direction), and side 216 (e.g., outward along the negative z direction). Although in some examples the sides of satellite 120-a may be orthogonal, in some other examples the sides of satellite 120-a may be in different orientations, such as satellite 120-a having a trapezoidal prism, rhomboid prism, hexagonal prism, octagonal prism or some other shape.

[0053] In some examples, satellite 120-a may include one or more panels 220, such as panels 220-a and 220-b, deployable from the body portion 210, which are rotatably coupled to the body portion 210 using hinges 225 (e.g., hinge actuators, rotary joints, rotary actuators, spring hinges) (e.g., coupled to sides 213 and 214 respectively via connectors rotatable about the x-direction). In some embodiments, panels 220 may carry one or more solar elements 230 (e.g., solar panels), which may be positioned on one or both sides of the respective panel 220 (e.g., along the z-direction) and may provide power to the operating components of satellite 120-a (e.g., signaling components, processing components, orientation components, such as angular momentum systems). For example, satellite 120-a may include a first solar panel array configured to be deployed from side 213 and a second solar panel array configured to be deployed from side 214. In some examples, the control system of satellite 120-a can use hinge 225 to manage the deployment of panel 220 (e.g., panel 220 can be deployed to extend outward along the y direction, panel 220 can be retracted, hinge 225 can be actuated).

[0054] Satellite 120-a can support wireless communication between ground terminals (e.g., between one or more user terminals 150 and one or more gateway terminals 130), for example, by receiving uplink signaling (e.g., forward uplink signaling, return uplink signaling, uplink signal 132, uplink signal 173) using a receiving array 240 (e.g., uplink array, panel array, direct radiation array) and transmitting downlink signaling (e.g., forward downlink signaling, return downlink signaling, downlink signal 172, downlink signal 133) using a transmitting array 250 (e.g., downlink array, panel array, direct radiation array). For example, the receiving array 240 can be configured to receive signaling from ground terminals, and the transmitting array 250 can be configured to transmit signaling to ground terminals.

[0055] Receiver array 240 and transmit array 250 may be physically arranged (e.g., fixed to) satellite 120-a to support efficient beam signaling communication with user terminal 150 and gateway terminal 130 (e.g., via beam 125 formed at satellite 120-a). For example, receive array 240 and transmit array 250 may both be located on side 215 of satellite 120-a (e.g., on the same side, nacelle). In some examples, receive array 240 and transmit array 250 may be discrete components of antenna elements (e.g., components of the receiving element are separate from components of the transmitting element), which may support relatively improved signal isolation and encapsulation, etc. In some other examples, receive array 540 and transmit array 550 may refer to staggered antenna elements (e.g., receiving and transmitting elements distributed between at least partially overlapping surface areas), or may be implemented as a single array that simultaneously implements antenna elements for both reception and transmission (e.g., as transceiver elements).

[0056] To support communication with the terminal of ground segment 101 using receiver array 240 and transmitter array 250, satellite 120-a may be oriented such that side 215 (e.g., nominal direction of side 215, axis of side 215, positive z-axis direction of satellite 120-a) is aligned with the Earth (e.g., aligned with the service area, aligned with the location of the service area).

[0057] Receiver array 240 and transmit array 250 can each be associated with an axis (e.g., nominal axis, line of sight, line of sight direction, outward direction), which can be the nominal direction of the respective array. In some examples, such a nominal direction can be associated with the peak gain capability direction of the array (e.g., maximum radiated power direction, maximum receiver sensitivity direction, minimum distortion direction). For example, receiver array 240 can be associated with axis 245, and transmit array 250 can be associated with axis 255, each of these axes can be aligned along the positive z-direction from satellite 120-a (e.g., along a direction fixed relative to body portion 210, along a direction from side 215, along a parallel direction). Therefore, aligning receiver array 240, transmit array 250, or both with a target (e.g., along a target direction) can orient satellite 120-a such that the positive z-direction is associated with the target.

[0058] Although in the example of satellite 120-a, the receive array and transmit array 550 are shown on the plane of satellite 120-a, in some other examples according to the described technology, such technology may be supported by a fixed array of surfaces or antenna elements of satellite 120 that are not planar, such as arrays having one or more curved arrays or other shapes, which are otherwise associated with axes 245 and 255 (e.g., for satellite 120 having one or more curved surfaces, such as cylindrical or spherical surfaces). Furthermore, although in the example of satellite 120-a, axes 245 and 255 are parallel, in some other examples, the orientations of axes 245 and 255 may be separated by fixed angles, such as 10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, or some other fixed angle (e.g., between outward directions on the sides of satellite 120, between the nominal directions of the curved arrays of satellite 120).

[0059] In some examples, the receiving array 240 and the transmitting array 250 may have similar cross-sectional areas (e.g., the same cross-sectional area) or the same number of antenna elements, or both. In some other examples, one of the receiving array 240 or the transmitting array 250 may be relatively larger than the other (e.g., surface area in the xy plane), or may have a relatively larger number of antenna elements, or may have relatively large antenna elements, or a combination thereof. For example, the receiving array 240 (e.g., the antenna elements of the receiving array 240, the signal processing circuitry associated with the receiving array 240) may be configured to receive signals in a first frequency range, and the transmitting array 250 may be configured to transmit signals in a second frequency range that does not overlap with the first frequency range. For examples where the first frequency range is relatively higher than the second frequency range, the receiving array 240 may be relatively smaller than the transmitting array 250 (e.g., including relatively smaller antenna elements, including antenna elements with smaller cross-sectional areas in the xy plane, including antenna elements with smaller spacing, or a combination thereof), and the transmitting array may be associated with a relatively shorter wavelength at a relatively higher frequency. However, in some other embodiments, such relative sizes or numbers of antenna elements may vary between the receiving array 240 and the transmitting array 250 (e.g., depending on the relative frequencies supported by the receiving array 240 and the transmitting array 250). Additionally or alternatively, as described herein, the configuration of the receiving or transmitting system for signaling within a given frequency range may involve other configurations between different systems (e.g., mechanical, electrical, static, fixed configurations), such as circuit element configurations for frequency-specific filtering or other types of signal processing corresponding to a specific communication type (e.g., frequency-specific configurations corresponding to uplink, downlink, or crosslink communication). Additionally or alternatively, the relative sizes or numbers of antenna elements may be balanced between the receiving array 240 and the transmitting array 250 based on other criteria, such as link balancing or biasing via satellite 120-a (e.g., balancing performance characteristics between forward link and return link communication, biasing performance characteristics to support relatively high forward link throughput, balancing performance characteristics between the gateway terminal and the user terminal, such as associated antenna characteristics), etc.

[0060] In some examples, the receiver array 240, the transmitter array 250, or both may have triangular cross-sections (e.g., in the xy-plane). For example, when sharing the surface of satellite 120-a, dividing the surface area of ​​that surface into triangles (e.g., right-angled triangles, isosceles triangles) can support receiver array 240 and transmitter array 250 having more uniform beamforming characteristics than when the surface area is divided into adjacent rectangles or other shapes (e.g., due to relatively uniform widths along the x and y directions). In some other examples, the area of ​​the shared surface of satellite 120-a may be divided into rectangular cross-sections or other shapes of receiver array 240 and transmitter array 250 (e.g., in the xy-plane), and in operation, satellite 120-a may rotate (e.g., about the z-axis) such that any beamforming or other signaling asymmetries can be advantageously aligned along a particular direction of rotation. For example, the relatively long dimensions of the receiving array 240 or the transmitting array 250 can be aligned (e.g., rotated to a specific direction), such as the separation direction between beams 125 (e.g., the separation direction between user terminal 150 and the gateway terminal serving user terminal 150), which can reduce beamforming scan loss at angles (e.g., scan angles) relative to axes 245 and 255 or relative to the z-direction of satellite 120-a.

[0061] The receiving system of satellite 120-a (e.g., a receiving antenna system, an uplink antenna system, a receiving system including receiving array 240) can support receiving beam signals (e.g., uplink signal 132, uplink signal 173 via beam 125) from one or more target devices (such as one or more user terminals 150, one or more gateway terminals 130, or combinations thereof). For example, receiving array 240 may include one or more receiving elements (e.g., receiving antenna elements, receiving feed elements) located on side 215 and configured to receive signaling from target devices. The receiving elements may include physical transducers (e.g., RF transducers) that convert electromagnetic signals (e.g., electromagnetic component signals) into electrical signals (e.g., electrical component signals). The receiving element may include, for example, a fed horn, a polarized transducer (e.g., a diaphragm-polarized horn, which may function as two combined elements with different polarizations), a multi-port horn (e.g., with dual polarization LHCP / RHCP), a cavity slot, an inverted F-shaped, slotted waveguide, Vivaldi, a spiral, a ring, a patch, or any other configuration or combination of interconnecting sub-elements of the antenna element.

[0062] In some implementations, the receiving elements may support receiving (e.g., separating) corresponding component signals associated with different polarizations, and may be associated with or may include corresponding ports configured for component signals associated with a specific polarization (e.g., one or more ports, corresponding input ports, corresponding output ports). For example, a set of receiving elements of receiving array 240 may receive a first component signal (e.g., an electromagnetic component signal) of a first received beam signal, each first component signal having a first polarization. The received first component signal may be converted (e.g., converted to an electrical signal, converted to an electrical component signal) and output using a set of first antenna element ports (e.g., output ports). Thus, at least some of the receiving elements may receive a portion or component of the first received beam signal and may output an associated electrical signal from a corresponding first port (e.g., to a first received beamforming network corresponding to the first polarization). In some examples, a set of receiving elements may also receive a second component signal of a second received beam signal, each second component signal having a second polarization (e.g., different from the first polarization, orthogonal to the first polarization). The received second component signal may be converted and output using a set of second antenna element ports. Therefore, at least some of the receiving elements can also receive a portion or component of the second receiving beam signal and can output the relevant electrical signal from the corresponding second port (e.g., to the second receiving beamforming network corresponding to the second polarization).

[0063] In some examples, the receiver array 240 can be configured to receive signaling based on a first polarization associated with forward link communication (e.g., signaling from gateway terminal 130) and signaling based on a second polarization associated with return link communication (e.g., signaling from user terminal 150), in which case the first polarization can be orthogonal to the second polarization. For example, the first polarization can be an example of left-hand circular circular polarization (LHCP), and the second polarization can be an example of right-hand circular circular polarization (RHCP). Additionally or alternatively, the first and second polarizations can be linearly polarized, such as the first polarization having vertical polarization and the second polarization having horizontal polarization.

[0064] The receiving system of satellite 120-a may include one or more beamforming networks (e.g., receive beamforming networks) configured to support directional reception relative to axis 245 (e.g., along one or more directions that may be different from axis 245) via receive array 240 (e.g., via multiple antenna elements of receive array 240). For example, such beamforming networks of the receiving system may each be configured to output one or more beam signals according to a respective beam 125 (e.g., receive beam) using component signals from a set of receiving elements of receive array 240.

[0065] In some embodiments, the receiving system may include a first beamforming network coupled to the output of a set of first antenna element ports, which may receive a set of first component signals (e.g., forward link component signals) from the set of first antenna element ports. The first beamforming network may output a single beam signal (e.g., a forward link beam signal) associated with a first polarization, for example, to a transponder (e.g., to a forward link transponder, to a forward link signal path, to a portion of a transponder system), which may route the beam signal to a transmission system, such as a transmission system including transmission array 250. In some embodiments, the receiving system may also include a second beamforming network coupled to the output of a set of second antenna element ports, which may receive a set of second component signals (e.g., return link component signals) from the set of second ports. The second beamforming network may output a single beam signal (e.g., a return link beam signal) associated with a second polarization, for example, to a transponder (e.g., to a return link transponder, to a return link signal path, to a portion of a transponder system), which may route the beam signal to a transmission system, such as a transmission system including transmission array 250.

[0066] The transmission system of satellite 120-a (e.g., the transmission antenna system, the downlink antenna system, the transmission system including transmission array 250) can support the transmission of beam signals (e.g., downlink signal 133, downlink signal 172, via beam 125) to one or more target devices, such as one or more user terminals 150, one or more gateway terminals 130, or combinations thereof. For example, transmission array 250 may include one or more transmission elements (e.g., transmission antenna elements, transmission feed elements) located on side 215, which are configured to transmit signaling to the target devices. The transmission antenna elements may include physical transducers (e.g., radio frequency transducers) that convert electrical signals (e.g., electrical component signals) into electromagnetic signals (e.g., electromagnetic component signals). Transmission elements may include, for example, fed horns, polarized transducers (e.g., diaphragm-polarized horns, which may function as two combined elements with different polarizations), multi-port horns (e.g., having dual polarization LHCP / RHCP), cavity slots, inverted F-shaped, slotted waveguides, Vivaldi, spiral, loop, patch, or any other configuration or combination of interconnecting sub-elements of antenna elements.

[0067] The transmission system of satellite 120-a may include one or more beamforming networks (e.g., transmission beamforming networks) configured to support directional transmission relative to axis 255 (e.g., along one or more directions that may be different from axis 255) via transmission array 250 (e.g., via multiple antenna elements of transmission array 250). For example, such beamforming networks of the transmission system may each be configured to transmit one or more beam signals according to a respective beam 125 (e.g., transmission beam) using component signals output to a set of transmission elements of transmission array 250.

[0068] In some embodiments, the transmission system may include a first beamforming network coupled to the inputs of a set of first antenna element ports. The first beamforming network may receive a single beam signal associated with a first polarization (e.g., a transmission beam signal, a forward link beam signal), for example, from a transponder (e.g., a forward link transponder, part of a transponder system) that may route beam signals from a receiving system including a receiving array 240. The first beamforming network may output a set of first component signals (e.g., forward link component signals) to a set of first antenna element ports for transmission of a single beam 125 associated with the first polarization. In some embodiments, the transmission system may also include a second beamforming network coupled to the inputs of a set of second antenna element ports. The second beamforming network may receive a single beam signal associated with a second polarization (e.g., a return link beam signal), for example, from a transponder (e.g., a return link transponder, part of a transponder system) that may route beam signals from the receiving system. The second beamforming network can output a set of second component signals (e.g., return link component signals) to a set of second antenna element ports for transmission of a single beam 125 associated with the second polarization.

[0069] In some implementations, the transmission elements of the transmission array 250 may support the transmission of corresponding component signals associated with different polarizations, and may be associated with or may include corresponding ports configured for component signals associated with a specific polarization (e.g., corresponding input ports, corresponding output ports). For example, a set of transmission elements may use a set of first antenna element ports (e.g., input ports) to receive a first component signal (e.g., an electrical component signal from a first transmission beamforming network corresponding to a first polarization) of a first transmission beam signal (e.g., a forward link signal), and the first component signal may be converted by the transmission elements into an electromagnetic signal (e.g., an electromagnetic component signal) that is transmitted by the transmission elements according to the first polarization. Thus, at least some of the transmission elements may receive a portion or component of the first transmission beam signal and may transmit associated electromagnetic signals with the first polarization. In some examples, a set of transmission elements may use a set of second antenna element ports (e.g., input ports) to receive a second component signal (e.g., from a second transmission beamforming network corresponding to a second polarization) of a second transmission beam signal (e.g., a return link beam signal), and the second component signal may be converted by the transmission elements into an electromagnetic signal that is transmitted by the transmission elements according to the second polarization. Therefore, some of the transmission elements may also receive a portion or component of the second transmission beam signal and may transmit associated electromagnetic signals having a second polarization (e.g., different from the first polarization, orthogonal to the first polarization).

[0070] In some examples, the transport array 250 may transmit signaling based on a first polarization associated with forward link communication (e.g., signaling to user terminal 150) and a second polarization associated with return link communication (e.g., signaling to gateway terminal 130), in which case the first polarization may be orthogonal to the second polarization. For example, the first polarization may be an example of LHCP, and the second polarization may be an example of RHCP. Additionally or alternatively, the first and second polarizations may be linearly polarized, such as the first polarization having vertical polarization and the second polarization having horizontal polarization. In some implementations, the transport array 250 may implement the same polarization as the receiving array 240 for forward communication (e.g., implementing LHCP for the forward link) and the same polarization as the receiving array 240 for return communication (e.g., implementing RHCP for the return link). In some other implementations, the transport array 250 may implement different polarizations than the receiving array 240 for forward communication, return communication, or both.

[0071] In some implementations, satellite 120-a may include additional components to support wireless communication with gateway terminal 130, user terminal 150, other satellites 120 or 180, and other devices. For example, satellite 120-a may include patch antenna 284 (e.g., an S-band patch antenna), omnidirectional antenna 282 (e.g., an omnidirectional antenna), or both, which may support communication (e.g., transmission control signaling, reception control signaling) within a limited frequency range (e.g., between 2 GHz and 4 GHz, not overlapping with or otherwise different from the receiving array 240 and transmitting array 250). In some examples, one or more of these antennas may transmit control signaling (e.g., via a control band), such as scheduling information, orbit adjustment information, etc. Additionally or alternatively, patch antenna 284, omnidirectional antenna 282, or both may support transmitting or receiving signal 182, receiving uplink signal 132, receiving uplink signal 173, transmitting downlink signal 133, transmitting downlink signal 172, transmitting or receiving crosslink signal 175, or any combination thereof, etc. In some examples, patch antenna 284, omnidirectional antenna 282, or both may be located on a side of satellite 120-a that is different from the receiving array 240 and transmitting array 250, such as side 211 or side 216 (e.g., opposite to the receiving array 240 and transmitting array 250).

[0072] In some embodiments, satellite 120-a may include a tracking system 280 (e.g., a star tracker) to support the detection of telemetry information of satellite 120-a. For example, tracking system 280 may measure the position of a star or other object to determine the position, velocity, orientation, or any combination thereof of satellite 120-a. In some examples, satellite 120-a may use characteristics determined by tracking system 280 to determine or calculate orbital path or other telemetry information, and may transmit the telemetry information (e.g., using a telemetry beacon), or may use the telemetry information to control the orientation of satellite 120-a (e.g., using an angular momentum system) or determine the corresponding direction of one or more beams 125, among other embodiments. Tracking system 280 may be located on a surface of satellite 120-a other than the surface including receiver array 240 and transmitter array 250, such as on side 211.

[0073] In some embodiments, satellite 120-a may include one or more components that support control of the satellite's orbital parameters. For example, satellite 120-a may include one or more thrusters 286, which in some examples may be located on a side (e.g., side 216) of satellite 120-a opposite to the receiver array 240 and the transmitter array 250, or on one or more other sides. The thrusters 286 are operable to modify the orbital path of satellite 120-a (e.g., move to a higher or lower orbit, adjust the velocity of satellite 120-a along the orbital path). Additionally or alternatively, satellite 120-a may include an angular momentum system (e.g., internal to satellite 120-a, not shown) operable to orient (e.g., rotate) satellite 120-a about one or more axes (e.g., to align the side of the satellite along a target direction, align the z-direction of satellite 120-a along a target direction, align axis 245, axis 255, or both along a target direction).

[0074] Satellite 120-a may include a control system that supports various operations of satellite 120-a. For example, such a control system may be configured for aspects of directional reception, directional transmission, or both, such as modifying beam weights or beam hopping at one or more beamforming networks of the receiving system, transmitting system, or both. Additionally or alternatively, such a control system may be configured to modify the orbital characteristics of satellite 120-a (e.g., in coordination with enabling transponder signal paths and configuring beamforming parameters), such as modifying the alignment of satellite 120-a (e.g., using the angular momentum system of satellite 120-a to perform a body turn of the satellite to align the satellite surface (such as side 215) or antenna system (such as axis 245 or 255) in various directions), or changing the orbital path itself (e.g., using thruster 286 to change the altitude of satellite 120-a, or reorienting the orbital path of satellite 120-a). In various implementations, such a control system may operate based on the configuration at satellite 120-a (e.g., pre-configuration, hardware configuration, software configuration), based on signaling received at satellite 120-a (e.g., command signaling, parameter signaling, instructions, from the network controller, from the terminal, via signal 132, via signal 173, via signal 183, via receiver array 240, via patch antenna 284, via omnidirectional antenna 282), based on detection at satellite 120-a (e.g., sensor measurements, communication measurements, detection of characteristics of satellite 120-a, detection of signal quality characteristics, detection of characteristics of communication relayed by satellite 120-a, detection of environmental characteristics), or any combination thereof.

[0075] While in some examples the receiver array 240 and transmitter array 250 may be configured to communicate with a terminal on the ground segment, they may additionally or alternatively be configured to communicate with or via another satellite, such as another satellite 120 or another satellite 180. For example, to support various aspects of a GEO link (e.g., an LEO-to-GEO link), satellite 120-a may support wireless communication by receiving signal 183 using receiver array 240 or transmitting signal 183 using transmitter array 250, or both (e.g., via a corresponding beam 125). In some examples, such techniques may be supported by aligning the positive z-axis of satellite 120-a with satellite 180 (e.g., a geostationary satellite, for at least a portion of the orbital path of satellite 120-a).

[0076] Figure 3 An example of a payload 300 supporting a technology for an NGSO satellite communication system, as disclosed herein, is shown. Payload 300 can be implemented in satellite 120, such as reference... Figure 2A and Figure 2B The satellite 120-a is described above. For example, payload 300 may include a receiving system 305 (e.g., a receiving subsystem, a receiving antenna system, an uplink receiving subsystem), a transmission system 315 (e.g., a transmission subsystem, a transmission antenna system, a downlink transmission subsystem), and a transponder system 310 (e.g., a transponder subsystem, a set of transponders, a set of signal paths, a set of beam signal paths) coupled to (e.g., coupled between) the receiving system 305 and the transmission system 315. The receiving system 305 may be a single receiving system of payload 300, and the transmission system 315 may be a single transmission system of payload 300. Although the receiving system 305, the transponder system 310, and the transmission system 315 are defined with exemplary boundaries, their components may be distributed in different ways in other systems or subsystems according to the described technology.

[0077] Payload 300 can support relaying beam signals (e.g., signals associated with one or more beams 125) between terminals in ground segment 101 (e.g., between gateway terminal 130 and user terminal 150). For example, receiving system 305 may include receiving array 240-a (e.g., antenna, panel array) and ports 306 (e.g., ports 306-a and 306-b, output ports, uplink ports). Receiving array 240-a may include one or more antenna elements (e.g., receiving elements) located on the sides (such as side 215) of satellite 120. Receiving system 305 is operable to acquire and output one or more beam signals (e.g., signals of corresponding beams 125, uplink beam signals) via port 306, which are based on component signals received via the antenna elements of receiving array 240-a. The transmission system 315 may include a transmission array 250-a (e.g., an antenna, a panel array) and ports 316 (e.g., ports 316-a and 316-b, an input port, a downlink port). The transmission array 250-a may include one or more antenna elements (e.g., transmission elements) located on the side of the satellite 120, such as side 215 (e.g., the same side as the antenna element of the receiving system 305). The transmission system 315 is operable to acquire (e.g., via port 316) and transmit beam signals (e.g., signals of the corresponding beam 125, downlink beam signals) based on component signals transmitted via the antenna elements of the transmission array 250-a.

[0078] Transponder system 310 (e.g., a transponder subsystem, a set of transponders, a set of signal paths between receiving system 305 and transmitting system 315) is operable to couple to and receive one or more beam signals from receiving system 305. For example, transponder system 310 may include ports 311 (e.g., ports 311-a and 311-b, input ports, uplink ports, beam signal ports) operable to couple to corresponding ports 306 of receiving system 305 (e.g., in a one-to-one correspondence). In some other examples, corresponding ports 311 and 306 may be referred to as or equivalent to common ports (e.g., uplink ports, uplink nodes, common nodes, common ports of receiving system 305 or transponder system 310). Transponder system 310 is also operable to couple to port 316 of transmitting system 315 and output one or more beam signals to transmitting system 315. For example, repeater system 310 may include ports 312 (e.g., ports 312-a and 312-b, output ports, downlink ports, beam signaling ports) that are operable to couple with corresponding ports 316 of transmission system 315 (e.g., in a one-to-one correspondence). In some other examples, corresponding ports 312 and 316 may be referred to as or equivalent to common ports (e.g., downlink ports, downlink nodes, common nodes, common ports of receiving system 305 or repeater system 310). Therefore, the repeater system 310 may include two ports 311 (e.g., two inputs, a single return port 311-a, and a single forward port 311-b) coupled to corresponding ports 306 of the receiving system 305 (e.g., two outputs, a single return port 306-a, and a single forward port 306-b), and the repeater system 310 may include two ports 312 (e.g., two outputs, a single return port 312-a, and a single forward port 312-b) coupled to corresponding ports 316 of the transmitting system 315 (e.g., two inputs, a single return port 316-a, and a single forward port 316-b). Thus, the repeater system 310 can support signal paths for coupling its ports 312 with its ports 311 and performing various intermediate signal processing.

[0079] Payload 300 is operable to support different modes (e.g., signaling mode, communication mode, relay mode, signal path mode, signal routing mode, beam signal mode) or combinations of these modes for relaying beam signals. These modes, as well as other operations of satellite 120 including payload 300, can be at least partially controlled by payload control system 360 (e.g., configuration, coordination, activation), which can be coupled at least to receiving system 305, transponder system 310, and transmission system 315 to configure one or more aspects of the respective components. For example, control system 360 can support operations such as managing beamforming networks (e.g., beamforming network 320, beamforming network 340), activating and deactivating the signal path of transponder system 310, and managing satellite alignment (e.g., aligning satellite 120 with a target, changing the orbital path of satellite 120). Control system 360 may include any number of one or more processors, which may include processors co-located within payload 300, processors distributed throughout payload 300, or both. Any one or more of these processors can be configured (e.g., individually, collectively, via software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof) to enable satellite 120 (e.g., payload 300) to perform the various operations described herein.

[0080] In a first mode, payload 300 can support relay return link signals (e.g., signaling from one or more user terminals 150 to gateway terminal 130). To support such relaying, payload 300 can receive a first component signal (e.g., the electromagnetic component signal of the return uplink component signal, uplink signal 173) via antenna elements (e.g., receiving antenna elements) of receiver array 240-a. In some examples, the first component signal can be received by the antenna elements according to a first polarization (e.g., RHCP). In some examples, the first component signal can be received within a first frequency range, which may be 81–86 GHz. Each antenna element of receiver array 240-a can output a corresponding first component signal (e.g., as an electrical component signal) (e.g., via a corresponding output port, such as a corresponding first output port of the antenna element, which may be associated with the first polarization) to beamforming network 320-a (e.g., a receiving beamformer). For at least some (if not all) of the antenna elements of the receiving array 240-a, the beamforming network 320-a may apply gain, phase adjustment (e.g., phase shift), or time adjustment (e.g., time shift), or any combination thereof, to the first component signal based on the beamforming direction (e.g., the direction of the receiving beam 125, according to the receiving beam weights configured by the control system 360) to generate a first uplink beam signal (e.g., a return link uplink beam signal) based on the first component signal received from the antenna elements.

[0081] The beamforming network 320-a may include an output 322-a (e.g., a port, a single output, corresponding to the output of the return link uplink beam signal, corresponding to a first polarization), which may be configured to output the first uplink beam signal to the transponder system 310 (e.g., via port 306-a). In some examples, output 322-a may be configured to output the first uplink beam signal within the same frequency range as the received component signal (e.g., a first frequency range, 81–86 GHz). In some examples, output 322-a may be supported by activating amplifier 365-a (e.g., via control system 360).

[0082] The first signal path of the repeater system 310 (e.g., a single return path) (e.g., the signal path between ports 311-a and 312-a, corresponding to the first signal path of the repeater system 310, corresponding to the single return link repeater) can be coupled to output 322-a (e.g., directly or via amplifier 365-a where applicable), and can receive a first uplink beam signal from beamforming network 320-a (e.g., via port 311-a). In some embodiments, the repeater system 310 may include a frequency conversion between port 311-a and port 312-a. For example, along the first signal path, the repeater system 310 may downconvert the first uplink beam signal from a first frequency range (e.g., 81–86 GHz) to an intermediate frequency (IF) range to generate a first IF signal. For example, the repeater system 310 may include a frequency converter 325-a (e.g., a downconverter) that receives the first uplink beam signal and converts the frequency of the first IF signal to the IF frequency range. In some examples, the IF frequency range can be 11–16 GHz or another frequency range with the same bandwidth as the first frequency range (e.g., span). In some cases, to support the first frequency conversion, the frequency converter 325-a can (e.g., from the frequency generator 330) receive a first oscillator signal having a first oscillator frequency (e.g., 70 GHz, for conversion from the 81–86 GHz range to the 11–16 GHz range) and can output a first IF signal with a frequency corresponding to the difference between the frequency of the first uplink beam signal and the first oscillator frequency.

[0083] In some examples, payload 300 can be considered a processing payload and may include circuitry for processing techniques such as analog-to-digital conversion, sampling, demodulation, signal extraction, demultiplexing, channeling, multiplexing, signal insertion, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, and other processing techniques. In some such examples, such processing techniques may be implemented on the IF signal between frequency converters 325 and 335. Payload processing may include processing in the analog domain, processing in the digital domain, or both. In some other examples, the payload may be considered a non-processing payload (e.g., in a bend-pipe payload configuration), and the IF signal may be forwarded by transponder system 310 without such processing techniques.

[0084] Along the first signal path, the transponder system 310 can also upconvert the first IF signal from the IF frequency range to a second frequency range to generate a first downlink beam signal (e.g., a return link downlink beam signal). For example, the transponder system 310 may include a frequency converter 335-a (e.g., an upconverter) that receives the first IF signal and converts the frequency of the first downlink beam signal to the second frequency range. In some examples, the second frequency range may be 71–76 GHz or another frequency range (i.e., the IF frequency range) with the same bandwidth as the first frequency range, or both. In some implementations, the first and second frequency ranges may not overlap, which can allow various aspects of the receiving system 305 and the transmitting system 315 (e.g., antenna elements, signal processing hardware) to be configured according to different operating frequencies and avoid crosstalk between the transmitting system 315 and the receiving system 305. In some cases, to support the second frequency conversion, the frequency converter 335-a can (such as from the frequency generator 330) receive a second oscillator signal having a second oscillator frequency (e.g., 60 GHz for conversion from the 11–16 GHz range to the 71–76 GHz range), and can output a first downlink signal with a frequency corresponding to the sum of the frequency of the first IF signal and the second oscillator frequency.

[0085] The transponder system 310 (e.g., frequency converter 335-a) can output a first downlink beam signal to the transmission system 315 (e.g., via port 312-a, via port 316-a), such as to a beamforming network 340-a (e.g., a transmission beamformer). The beamforming network 340-a may include an input 342-a (e.g., a port, a single input, corresponding to the input of the return link downlink beam signal, corresponding to a first polarization), which can be configured to receive the first downlink beam signal from the transponder system 310. In some examples, input 342-a may be configured to receive the first downlink beam signal within the same frequency range as the component signal to be transmitted (e.g., a second frequency range, 71–76 GHz). In some examples, input 342-a can be supported by activating an amplifier 370-a (e.g., via control system 360). For at least some (if not all) of the antenna elements of the transmission array 250-a, the beamforming network 340-a may apply a corresponding gain, a corresponding phase adjustment, or a corresponding time adjustment, or any combination thereof, to the first downlink beam signal to generate component signals (e.g., return link component signals) for the antenna elements. Such component signals may be provided to the antenna elements (e.g., to their respective first input ports) so that the transmission array 250-a can transmit the first downlink beam signal according to the beamforming direction (e.g., the direction of the transmission beam 125, according to the transmission beam weights configured by the control system 360).

[0086] In a second mode, where payload 300 can be supported independently of or simultaneously with the first mode, payload 300 can support relaying forward link signals (e.g., signaling from gateway terminal 150 to one or more user terminals 150). To support such relaying, payload 300 can receive second component signals (e.g., forward uplink component signals, electromagnetic component signals of uplink signal 132) via antenna elements of receiver array 240-a. In some examples, the second component signals can be received by antenna elements according to a second polarization (e.g., LHCP). In some examples, the second component signals can be received within a first frequency range (e.g., 81–86 GHz), but according to orthogonal polarization. Each antenna element of receiver array 240-a can output a corresponding second component signal (e.g., as an electrical component signal) (e.g., via a corresponding output port, such as a corresponding second output port of the antenna element, which may be associated with the second polarization) to beamforming network 320-b (e.g., a receiver beamformer). For at least some (if not all) of the antenna elements of the receiving array 240-a, the beamforming network 320-b may apply gain, phase adjustment, or time adjustment, or any combination thereof, to the second component signal according to the direction of beamforming to generate a second uplink beam signal (e.g., a forward link uplink beam signal) based on the second component signal received from the antenna elements.

[0087] Beamforming network 320-b may include output 322-b (e.g., a port, a single output, corresponding to the output of the forward link uplink beam signal, corresponding to the second polarization), which may be configured to output the second uplink beam signal to transponder system 310 (e.g., via port 306-b). In some examples, output 322-b may be configured to output the second uplink beam signal in the same frequency range as the received component signal (e.g., a first frequency range). In some examples, output 322-b may be supported by activating amplifier 365-b (e.g., via control system 360). In some examples, beamforming networks 320-a and 320-b may refer to a single beamforming network 320 of receiving system 305, which is configured to support directional reception of a single corresponding beam 125 of each of the different polarizations supported by receiving array 240-a.

[0088] The second signal path of the repeater system 310 (e.g., a single forward path) (e.g., the signal path between ports 311-b and 312-b, corresponding to the second signal path or repeater of the repeater system 310, corresponding to a single forward link repeater) can be coupled to output 322-b (e.g., directly or via amplifier 365-b where applicable) and can receive a second uplink beam signal from beamforming network 320-b (e.g., via port 311-b). In some embodiments, the repeater system 310 may also include a frequency conversion between port 311-b and port 312-b. For example, along the second signal path, the repeater system 310 can downconvert the second uplink beam signal from a first frequency range (e.g., 81–86 GHz) to an IF frequency range to generate a second IF signal. For example, the repeater system 310 may include a frequency converter 325-b that receives the second uplink beam signal and converts the frequency of the second IF signal to an IF frequency range (e.g., 11–16 GHz). In some cases, to support the second frequency conversion, the frequency converter 325-b can (e.g., from the frequency generator 330) receive a first oscillator signal having a first oscillator frequency and can output a second IF signal whose frequency corresponds to the difference between the frequency of the second uplink beam signal and the first oscillator frequency.

[0089] Along the second signal path, the transponder system 310 can also convert the second IF signal from the IF frequency range to a second frequency range to generate a second downlink beam signal (e.g., a forward link downlink beam signal). For example, the transponder system 310 may include a frequency converter 335-b that receives the second IF signal and converts the frequency of the second downlink beam signal to a second frequency range (e.g., 71–76 GHz). In some cases, to support frequency conversion, the frequency converter 335-b may (such as a frequency generator 330) receive a second oscillator signal having a second oscillator frequency and may output a second downlink beam signal with a frequency corresponding to the sum of the frequency of the second IF signal and the second oscillator frequency.

[0090] Transponder system 310 (e.g., frequency converter 335-b) can output a second downlink beam signal to transmission system 315 (e.g., via port 312-b, via port 316-b), such as to beamforming network 340-b. Beamforming network 340-b may include input 342-b (e.g., a port, a single input corresponding to the input of the forward link downlink beam signal), which can be configured to receive the second downlink beam signal from transponder system 310. In some examples, beamforming networks 340-a and 340-b may refer to a single beamforming network 340 of transmission system 315, which is configured to support directional transmission of a single corresponding beam 125 of each of the different polarizations supported by transmission array 250-a. In some examples, input 342-b may be configured to receive a second downlink beam signal within the same frequency range as the component signal to be transmitted (e.g., a second frequency range, 71–76 GHz). In some examples, such inputs can be supported by activating amplifier 370-b (e.g., via control system 360). For at least some (if not all) of the antenna elements of transmission array 250-a, beamforming network 340-b can apply a corresponding gain, a corresponding phase adjustment, or a corresponding time adjustment, or any combination thereof, to the second downlink beam signal to generate component signals (e.g., forward link component signals) for the antenna elements. Such component signals can be provided to the antenna elements (e.g., to the corresponding second input ports of the antenna elements) so that transmission array 250-a can transmit the second downlink beam signal according to the beamforming direction (e.g., the direction of transmission beam 125, according to the transmission beam weights configured by control system 360).

[0091] Frequency generator 330 can be implemented in various configurations to support frequency converters 325 and 335 (e.g., to output one or more oscillator signals). For example, frequency generator 330 can use one or more oscillators 380 (e.g., oscillator circuitry) or a combination of one or more oscillators 380 with one or more frequency converters 375, as well as other configurations, to output one or more oscillator signals. In the example of payload 300, frequency generator 330 may include two oscillators 380 to generate oscillator signals of two frequencies for operating frequency converters 325 and 335. For example, frequency generator 330 may include oscillator 380-a, which is configured to generate and output (e.g., to frequency converters 335-a and 335-b) an oscillator signal having a second oscillator frequency (e.g., 60 GHz). Frequency generator 330 may also include frequency converter 375, which can generate and output an oscillator signal by receiving a second oscillator signal from oscillator 380-a and a third oscillator signal having a third oscillator frequency (e.g., 10 GHz) from oscillator 380-b, which is configured to generate and output a third oscillator signal. Frequency converter 375 can generate and output (e.g., to frequency converters 325-a and 325-b) an oscillator signal based on the sum of the second and third oscillator frequencies (e.g., 70 GHz). In some other examples, frequency generator 330 may include two oscillators 380 that directly generate oscillator signals of corresponding frequencies (e.g., 60 GHz, 70 GHz) for frequency converters 325 and 335.

[0092] Payload 300 may include or may implement a positioning and steering system 385 that can manage operations related to modifying the orbital characteristics of satellite 120, including payload 300, such as modifying the orbital path of satellite 120 (e.g., velocity along the orbital path, altitude of the orbital path, heading of the orbital path) or the orientation of satellite 120 (e.g., for steering satellite 120 along the orbital path, for orienting axis 245 of receiver array 240-a, for orienting axis 255 of transmitter array 250-a, for orienting side 215 of satellite 120). For example, positioning and steering system 385 may include a thruster 286 that is at least partially operated by control system 360 to modify the orbital path 120 of the satellite. Additionally or alternatively, positioning and steering system 385 may include an angular momentum system, such as a reaction wheel, a control moment gyroscope (CMG), or both. The control system 360 can implement an angular momentum system (e.g., to orient the satellite 120 by converting angular momentum into electrical energy) to adjust the orientation of the satellite 120, for example, to support improved beam signal communication.

[0093] In some cases, payload 300 may receive power from satellite 120 (e.g., from solar panel 230), for example, using power system 308 (e.g., a DC-DC converter). In some cases, power system 308 may include or be coupled to a power storage system (such as an onboard battery). Power system 308 may draw power from the battery to power various aspects of payload 300, may transfer power to the battery, or both. Additionally or alternatively, power system 308 may be coupled to positioning and steering system 385. For example, power system 308 may draw power from an angular momentum system, may transfer power to the angular momentum system, or both (e.g., to apply angular acceleration or deceleration to satellite 120).

[0094] In some cases, the control system 360 may operate based on signaling received from satellite 120. Such signaling may be associated with a frequency band centered in the IF frequency range (e.g., 13.5 GHz). For example, payload 300 may include an operation command receiver 362 that can decode commands (e.g., command messages) received by receiving system 305. In some examples, operation command receiver 362 may decode messages included in a second uplink beam signal (e.g., commands from gateway terminal 130). For example, a second signal path may include a coupler 328 (e.g., a signal path connection point) that supports relaying at least a portion of the second IF signal to both frequency converter 335-b and operation command receiver 362. Coupler 328 may include one or more switches (e.g., operable using control system 360) to support relaying the second IF signal to operation command receiver 362, may support signal addition (e.g., summation), or both, etc. In some cases, the operation command receiver 362 can receive a schedule that includes information such as beam weights (e.g., array beam pointing information of beamforming networks 320 and 340), main body steering maneuver commands, beam skipping information, etc., which can be provided to the control system 360.

[0095] Additionally or alternatively, satellite 120-a may use data link transmitter 367 (e.g., a command transmitter) to transmit signaling to indicate the status of satellite 120. Such signaling may also be associated with a frequency band (e.g., 13.5 GHz) at the center of the IF frequency range. For example, data link transmitter 367 may generate a beacon that includes information such as telemetry, the health status of satellite 120, payload status (e.g., the status of payload 300), or other information. Data link transmitter 367 may transmit the generated beacon signal to coupler 329 (e.g., a summing circuit), which may add the beacon signal to downlink beam signals (e.g., return downlink beam signal, forward downlink beam signal). For example, coupler 329 may include one or more switches or other circuitry that support summing of the beacon signal and the IF signal along the signal path.

[0096] Therefore, payload 300 illustrates an example for supporting communication with receiving system 305, repeater system 310, and transmission system 315, which has specific ports assigned to specific types of communication and thus specific types of signaling characteristics. For example, receiving system 305 may be configured for an uplink frequency range (e.g., 81–86 GHz), and transmission system 315 may be configured for a downlink frequency range (e.g., 71–76 GHz) that does not overlap with the uplink frequency range. Orthogonality between the different ports for forward and return communication at receiving system 305 and transmission system 315 can be provided by orthogonal polarization, such as assigning RHCP to return communication and LHCP to forward communication. In some examples, the transponder system 310 may therefore include: a single signal path for forward communication between the receiving system 305 and the transmitting system 315, the single signal path including a net frequency conversion from the uplink frequency range to the downlink frequency range and maintaining the forward link polarization; and a single signal path for return communication between the receiving system 305 and the transmitting system 315, the single signal path including a net frequency conversion from the uplink frequency range to the downlink frequency range and maintaining the return link polarization association. Such a configuration can provide an efficient manner for two-way signaling in a satellite 120 (e.g., satellite 120-a) including a payload 300.

[0097] In some examples, the gains of the forward link repeater (e.g., between output 322-a and input 342-a) and the return link repeater (e.g., between output 322-b and input 342-b) of payload 300 can be different and configured based on corresponding signaling characteristics. For example, amplifier 365-a can be configured with a gain based on the transmit power of antenna assembly 151, and amplifier 365-b can have a configuration based on the transmit power of gateway antenna system 131. In some examples, amplifier 365-a can therefore have a gain different from (e.g., greater than) the gain of amplifier 365-b. Furthermore, amplifier 370-a can be configured with a gain based on the receive sensitivity of gateway antenna system 131, and amplifier 370-b can have a gain based on the receive sensitivity of antenna assembly 151. In some examples, amplifier 370-b can therefore have a gain different from (e.g., greater than) the gain of amplifier 370-a. Additionally, in some examples, the gains of the forward link repeater and the return link repeater may be biased towards one communication direction rather than the other. For example, the forward link transponder may be configured with a gain that is relatively higher or lower than that of the return link transponder (e.g., within a given power constraint of the satellite 120 including payload 300). Although amplifier 365 is shown as a component of receiving system 305 and amplifier 370 is shown as a component of transmission system 315, in some other examples, amplifier 365, amplifier 370, or both may be considered as components of transponder system 310 or otherwise configured to support the net gain of the forward link transponder and return link transponder of payload 300.

[0098] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the configuration of the scan angles in beamforming networks 320 and 340 may differ, such as being different between uplink and downlink communication (e.g., between beamforming networks 320 and 340), between forward and return communication (e.g., between forward and return transponders), or combinations thereof, or other differences in various aspects of link balancing or biasing. For example, payload 300 may be configured to relay signaling to gateway terminal 130 rather than to user terminal 150 within a relatively small portion of the service area (e.g., a more central, narrower portion), which may be associated with reduced scan loss (e.g., reduced attenuation) when transmitting signaling to gateway terminal 130. In such examples, beamforming network 320-a, beamforming network 340-b, or both can be configured according to a first scanning angle range, and beamforming network 320-b, beamforming network 340-a, or both can be configured according to a second scanning angle range greater than the first scanning angle range (e.g., a relatively narrow scanning angle range for signaling with gateway terminal 130, and a relatively wide scanning angle range for signaling with user terminal 150).

[0099] In some such examples, the communication system 100 can therefore be configured such that the axis 245, axis 255, or both of the satellite 120 including the payload 300 can be more closely aligned with the gateway terminal 130 than the user terminal 150 served by the gateway terminal 130. In some examples, to support communication via the coverage area of ​​the gateway terminal 130, the satellite 120 including the payload 300 can be configured to orient the axis 245, axis 255, or both toward the coverage area within a first angular distance from the gateway terminal 130. In such an orientation, the satellite 120 can support communication with one or more user terminals 150, each located along a corresponding other direction within a second angular distance from the axis 245, axis 255, or both, where the second angular distance range can be greater than the first angular distance range. For example, the second angular distance range can be at least 50% larger than the first angular distance range, at least 100% larger than the first angular distance range (e.g., at least a multiple of two), or some other amount larger than the first angular distance range.

[0100] Figure 4An example of a payload implementation 400 supporting a technology for an NGSO satellite communication system, as disclosed herein, is shown. Payload implementation 400 may be supported by a satellite 120-b including an example payload 300. Payload 300 may support one or more operating modes of satellite 120-b to relay communication between gateway antenna system 131-a (e.g., included in gateway terminal 130) and antenna assembly 151-a (e.g., user antenna assembly of user terminal 150) and other devices. To support such operating modes, satellite 120-b (e.g., payload 300) may support one or more configurations (e.g., signaling path configuration, relay configuration) that support return link signaling, forward link signaling, or combinations thereof. For example, payload 300 may be configured to support signaling paths 405 such that each of signaling paths 405 includes one of path 430 (e.g., a single forward path) or path 435 (e.g., a single return path).

[0101] To support the first configuration, payload implementation 400 can be configured to relay signaling from antenna assembly 151-a to gateway antenna system 131-a (e.g., as a return link relay). For example, receiving system 305 can receive uplink signal 173-a (e.g., a return uplink signal) from antenna assembly 151-a based on beam 125-c-2 (e.g., as a receive beam). In this case, beam 125-c-2 can be formed using beamforming network 320-a, which can be configured by control system 360 (e.g., configured to implement receive beam weighting at beamforming network 320-a to align directional reception along beam direction 127-c-2 to generate beam 125-c-2 according to scan angle θ2). In some examples, the control system 360 may be configured to activate (e.g., enable, configure) a signal path 405-a (e.g., including path 435, a return beam signal path, a single return link transponder) that couples port 311-a to port 312-a to route the return link signal from the receiving system 305 to the transmitting system 315 via the transponder system 310. Such activation may include, for example, activating beamforming network 320-a or beamforming network 340-a, activating amplifier 365-a or amplifier 370-a, activating ports 306-a, 311-a, 312-a, 316-a or connections therebetween, activating frequency converter 325-a or 335-a, or any combination thereof, and other activations. The transmitting system 315 may therefore transmit a downlink signal 133-a (e.g., a return downlink signal) at least in part based on the uplink signal 173-a (e.g., including its information) to the gateway antenna system 131-a. The transmission system 315 can transmit the downlink signal 133-a according to the beam 125-c-1 (e.g., as a transmission beam). In this case, the beam 125-c-1 can be formed using a beamforming network 340-a, which can be configured by the control system 360 (e.g., configured to implement transmission beam weighting at the beamforming network 340-a to align the directional transmission along the beam direction 127-c-1 to generate the beam 125-c-1 according to the scanning angle θ1).

[0102] To support the second configuration, payload implementation 400 can be configured to relay signaling from gateway antenna system 131-a to antenna assembly 151-a (e.g., as a forward link relay). For example, receiving system 305 can receive uplink signal 132-a (e.g., a forward uplink signal) from gateway antenna system 131-a based on beam 125-c-1 (e.g., as a receive beam). In this case, beam 125-c-1 can be formed using beamforming network 320-b, which can be configured by control system 360 (e.g., configured to implement receive beam weighting at beamforming network 320-b to align directional reception along beam direction 127-c-1 to generate beam 125-c-1 according to scan angle θ1). Although the example of payload implementation 400 shows beam 125-c-1 used for receiving and transmitting, receiving system 305 and transmitting system 315 can implement beam 125-c-1 independently (e.g., using different circuits, using different beam weights, simultaneously, at different times), or can be configured to receive and transmit along different beam directions 127. In some examples, control system 360 can be configured to activate (e.g., enable, configure) signal path 405-b (e.g., including path 430, forward beam signal path, single forward link transponder) that couples port 311-b to port 312-b to route forward link signals through transponder system 310 (e.g., from port 311-b to port 312-b) to transmitting system 315. Such activations may include, for example, activating beamforming network 320-b or beamforming network 340-b, activating amplifier 365-b or amplifier 370-b, activating ports 306-b, 311-b, 312-b, 316-b or connections therebetween, activating frequency converter 325-b or 335-b, or any combination thereof, and other activations. The transmission system 315 can therefore transmit a downlink signal 172-a (e.g., a forward downlink signal) at least in part based on the uplink signal 132-a (e.g., including its information) to antenna assembly 151-a. The transmission system 315 may transmit the downlink signal 172-a according to beam 125-c-2. In this case, beam 125-c-2 can be formed using beamforming network 340-b, which can be configured by control system 360 (e.g., configured to implement transmission beam weighting at beamforming network 340-a to align directional transmission along beam direction 127-c-2 to generate beam 125-c-2 according to scanning angle θ2).Although the example of payload implementation 400 also shows the use of beam 125-c-2 for receiving and transmitting, the receiving system 305 and the transmitting system 315 may implement beam 125-c-2 independently (e.g., using different circuits, using different beam weights, simultaneously, at different times), or may be configured to receive and transmit along different beam directions 127.

[0103] Satellite 120-b can therefore operate in different modes, which can implement a first configuration (e.g., for return link relay), or a second configuration (e.g., for forward link relay), or a combination of the first and second configurations (e.g., for simultaneous two-way relay). To support such modes, satellite 120-b can also be configured to orient itself along various directions (e.g., body turning, using control system 360, using positioning and steering system 385) to support the signal relay performance of payload 300 (e.g., simultaneously activating signal path 405 for a duration during which satellite 120-b passes through a portion of orbital path 420). For example, satellite 120-b can be turned in direction 415, which can correspond to an outward direction from side 215, the positive z-direction of satellite 120-b, axis 245, axis 255, or a combination thereof.

[0104] In some implementations, satellite 120-b may be aligned with an nadir orientation during such modes, such that positioning and steering system 385 is configured to orient itself toward the center of the Earth at direction 415 as it passes along orbital path 420. In some other implementations, steering direction 415 may be based on a combination of the positions of gateway antenna system 131-a and antenna assembly 151-a (e.g., in combination with the position of satellite 120-b). For example, direction 415 (e.g., the orientation of satellite 120-b) can be determined based on beam performance (such as the roll-off characteristics of receive array 240-a and transmit array 250-a or the difference between them) or the transmission and reception capabilities of target devices (e.g., antenna assembly 151-a, gateway antenna system 131-a) (e.g., at satellite 120-b, at the network controller of ground segment 101). In some examples, direction 415 can be continuously calculated as an angle between beam directions 127-c-1 and 127-c-2 (e.g., bisecting the angle) as satellite 120-b crosses orbital path 420. This can mitigate the scan angles of beamforming networks 320 and 340 and improve signal integrity (e.g., by keeping θ1 equal to θ2, or within a threshold difference of θ2, or by selecting θ1 and θ2 to support the same or similar scan roll-off characteristics).

[0105] In some examples, the positioning and steering system 385 may be configured to orient itself toward the target 410 toward direction 415 as the satellite 120-b passes through the orbital path 420 (e.g., to steer toward the target 410 toward direction 415 as the satellite 120-b passes through a portion of the orbital path 420 between position 425-a and position 425-b in the orbital path 420). In some examples, the target 410 may be a fixed location (e.g., a ground location, a location within a service area associated with one or more user terminals 150, or a location within a service area associated with one or more gateway terminals 130), and the satellite 120-b may steer toward the target 410 toward direction 415 continuously or discontinuously (e.g., according to multiple discrete steering pulses), and so on.

[0106] In some examples, orienting satellite 120-b may also include rotating satellite 120-b about its central axis (e.g., about the z-direction, about direction 415). For example, control system 360 may configure positioning and steering system 385 to rotate satellite 120-b about the z-direction (e.g., about direction 415) based on antenna parameters (e.g., the directional sensitivity of receiver array 240, transmitter array 250 along the x-direction, along the y-direction, or both), or satellite 120-b may be oriented to improve energy harvesting using solar element 230, and so on.

[0107] Satellite 120-b can be configured to perform such operations in various ways. For example, satellite 120-b can determine such a configuration based on information stored at satellite 120-b, such as information about communication allocation, terminal location, characteristics of orbital path 420, and other information. In some examples, satellite 120-b can be configured by one or more controllers of ground segment 101, which may involve signaling from the ground segment to satellite 120-b (e.g., uplink signals 132, 181, 183, 173, 175, or combinations thereof, signals received earlier along orbital path 420 from gateway terminal 130, which may be relayed via another satellite 120 or satellite 180). For example, network device 141 or gateway terminal 130 (e.g., network controller) can determine various aspects of satellite 120-b's configuration and can configure satellite 120-b via signaling to satellite 120-b.

[0108] Figure 5A and Figure 5BAn example of a satellite 120-c supporting technologies for an NGSO satellite communication system, as disclosed herein, is shown. Satellite 120-c can be configured for deployment in an NGSO and supports various aspects of the technologies described in communication system 100. For example, satellite 120-c can support target functions for receiving and transmitting beam signals, which allows for a relatively small size and relatively low complexity. In some examples, the relatively small size of satellite 120-c, among other factors, can support the relatively low cost and overhead associated with deploying satellite 120-c in communication system 100. For example, multiple satellites 120-c can be deployed from the same launch vehicle payload, rather than launching and deploying satellites 120-c separately. While some technologies are described with reference to satellite 120-c operating in NGSO, in some other examples, one or more of the technologies can be implemented in satellite 120 or satellite 180 operating in geostationary orbit, as well as in other implementations.

[0109] Satellite 120-c may have a generally prismatic shape and may be described with reference to the x, y, and z directions of coordinate system 500. Satellite 120-c may include a main body portion 510 having sides (e.g., surfaces, which may be planar or curved), including sides 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, and 516. Although in some examples the sides of satellite 120-c may be orthogonal, in some other examples the sides of satellite 120-c may be in different orientations, such as satellite 120-c having a trapezoidal prism, rhomboid prism, hexagonal prism, or other shapes.

[0110] In some examples, satellite 120-c may include one or more panels 520 deployable from body portion 510, such as panels 520-a and 520-b rotatably coupled to body portion 510 using hinges 525. In some embodiments, panels 520 may support one or more solar elements 530, which may be positioned on one or both sides of a respective panel 520 and may provide power to the operating components of satellite 120-c. For example, satellite 120-c may include a first solar panel array configured to be deployed from side 513 and a second solar panel array configured to be deployed from side 514. In some examples, the control system of satellite 120-c may use hinges 525 to manage the deployment of solar panels 520.

[0111] Satellite 120-c can support wireless communication between ground terminals. For example, it can receive uplink signaling (e.g., forward uplink signaling, return uplink signaling, uplink signal 132, uplink signal 173) using a receiving array 540 (e.g., uplink array, panel array, direct radiation array) and transmit downlink signaling (e.g., forward downlink signaling, return downlink signaling, downlink signal 172, downlink signal 133) using a transmitting array 550 (e.g., downlink array, panel array, direct radiation array). For example, the receiving array 540 can be configured to receive signaling from ground terminals, and the transmitting array 550 can be configured to transmit signaling to ground terminals.

[0112] Satellite 120-c can also support wireless communication with or via other satellites 120 or 180, for example, by receiving cross-link signaling using a receiving array 560 (e.g., a cross-link receiving array), and in some examples, by transmitting cross-link signaling using a transmission array 550 (e.g., as a combined downlink and cross-link array). For example, satellite 120-c can use transmission array 550 as a downlink array (e.g., for transmitting downlink signals), and additionally or alternatively, can use the same transmission array 550 as a cross-link transmission array (e.g., for transmitting signal 175 and signal 183 to satellite 180 as a GEO link). Using transmission array 550 as both a downlink array and a cross-link transmission array allows satellite 120-c to transmit cross-link signals without including a dedicated cross-link transmission array, thus including a single high-power transmission array. Since signal transmission can be associated with relatively high power consumption, using a single transmission array 550 allows satellite 120-c to operate with reduced power consumption or reduced heat generation, and offers reduced cost, weight, reduced complexity, and improved packaging considerations compared to satellite 120 with a dedicated cross-link transmission array. Furthermore, using a single transmission array 550 can improve or simplify the design of satellite 120-c by allowing greater flexibility in the arrangement (e.g., fixing) of components such as receiver array 540, transmission array 550, and receiver array 560.

[0113] Receiver array 540, transmit array 550, and receive array 560 may be physically arranged (e.g., located on, fixed to) satellite 120-c to support efficient communication (e.g., via beam 125) of the beam signal with user terminal 150, gateway terminal 130, and other satellites 120 or 180. For example, receive array 540 and transmit array 550 may both be located on side 515 of satellite 120-c, and receive array 560 may be located on side 516 of satellite 120-c (e.g., a second side of satellite 120-c, the side opposite to receive array 540 and transmit array 550), or on another side of satellite 120-c (e.g., side 511, side 512, side 513, side 514), which is different from the side including receive array 540 and transmit array 550 (e.g., providing a second side of satellite 120-c for signal reception).

[0114] In some examples, the receive array 540 and the transmit array 550 may be discrete components of antenna elements (e.g., components of the receive elements are separate from components of the transmit elements), which can support relatively improved signal isolation and packaging, etc. In some other examples, the receive array 540 and the transmit array 550 may refer to staggered antenna elements (e.g., receive and transmit elements distributed between at least partially overlapping surface regions), or may be implemented as a single array that simultaneously implements antenna elements for both reception and transmission (e.g., as transceiver elements).

[0115] To support communication with ground segment 101 using receiver array 540, transmitter array 550, or both, satellite 120-c may be oriented such that side 515 (e.g., nominal orientation of side 515, axis of side 515, positive z-direction of satellite 120-c) is aligned with the Earth (e.g., aligned with the service area, aligned with the location of the service area). Additionally or alternatively, to support communication with one or more other satellites 120 or 180 using receiver array 560, transmitter array 550, or both, satellite 120-c may be oriented such that side 515, side 516, or both are substantially aligned with another satellite 120 or 180 (e.g., within the scanning range of the beamformer of the relevant array).

[0116] Receiver array 540, transmitter array 550, and receiver array 560 can each be associated with an axis (e.g., nominal axis, line of sight, line of sight direction, outward direction), which can be the nominal direction of the respective array. In some examples, such a nominal direction can be associated with the peak gain capability direction of the array (e.g., maximum radiated power direction, maximum receiver sensitivity direction, minimum distortion direction). For example, receiver array 540 can be associated with axis 545, and transmitter array 550 can be associated with axis 555, each of these axes being aligned along a positive z-direction from satellite 120-c (e.g., along a direction fixed relative to the main body portion 510, along a direction from the side 515, along a parallel direction). Therefore, aligning receiver array 540, transmitter array 550, or both with a target can be associated with orienting satellite 120-c such that the positive z-direction is aligned with the target. Furthermore, the receiver array 560 may be associated with axis 565, which may be aligned along the negative z-direction from satellite 120-c (e.g., a direction parallel to axis 545, a direction parallel to axis 555, or a direction different from axes 545 and 555). In some embodiments, aligning the receiver array 560 with a target (e.g., a second target along a second target direction) may additionally or alternatively be associated with aligning satellite 120-c such that the negative z-direction is aligned with the target.

[0117] Therefore, satellite 120-c demonstrates an example in which the receiving array 540 (e.g., axis 545) and the transmitting array 550 (e.g., axis 545) can be oriented along one direction, and the receiving array 560 (e.g., axis 565) can be oriented along different directions, thus providing additional flexibility in the orientation of beam 125. Although in the example of satellite 120-c, the direction of axis 565 is separated from the directions of axes 545 and 555 by 180 degrees (e.g., pointing in opposite directions), in some other examples according to the described technology, the direction of axis 565 can be separated from the directions of axes 545 and 555 by different angles, such as 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 120 degrees, 135 degrees, etc. (e.g., as a fixed separation angle between arrays). Furthermore, such technology can be supported by the surfaces of satellite 120 or fixed arrays of antenna elements that are not flat, such as arrays with one or more curved arrays or other shapes associated with axes 545, 555, and 565 (e.g., for satellite 120 with one or more curved surfaces, such as cylindrical or spherical surfaces). Additionally, although axes 545 and 555 are parallel in the example of satellite 120-c, in some other examples, the orientations of axes 545 and 555 may be separated by fixed angles, such as 10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, or some other fixed angle (e.g., between outward directions on the sides of satellite 120, between the nominal directions of the curved arrays of satellite 120).

[0118] In some examples, the receiver array 540 and the transmitter array 550 may have similar cross-sectional areas or the same number of antenna elements, or both. In some other examples, one of the receiver array 540 or the transmitter array 550 may be relatively larger than the other, or may have a relatively larger number of antenna elements, or a combination thereof. For example, the receiver array 540 may be configured to receive signals in a first frequency range, and the transmitter array 550 may be configured to transmit signals in a second frequency range that does not overlap with the first frequency range. In some examples, the receiver array 560 may be configured to receive signals in a third frequency range that does not overlap with the first frequency range but may be included in the second frequency range (e.g., to support receiving cross-link signals in a cross-link frequency range with the receiver array 560 and transmitting cross-link signals in a cross-link frequency range with the transmitter array 550).

[0119] For an example where the first frequency range is relatively higher than the second frequency range, the receiving array 540 may be relatively smaller than the transmitting array 550, which may be associated with a relatively shorter wavelength at a relatively higher frequency. Similarly, for an example where the third frequency range is a relatively lower portion of the second frequency range, the receiving array 560 may be relatively larger than the transmitting array 550 (e.g., for relatively improved cross-link reception sensitivity), which may be associated with a relatively longer wavelength at a relatively lower frequency. However, in various other embodiments, such relative sizes or numbers of antenna elements may vary or otherwise differ between the receiving array 540, transmitting array 550, and receiving array 560 (e.g., depending on the relative frequencies supported by the respective arrays). Additionally or alternatively, the relative sizes or numbers of antenna elements may be balanced among the receiving array 540, transmitting array 550, and receiving array 560 based on other criteria, such as link balancing or biasing via satellite 120-c (e.g., balancing performance characteristics between forward link and return link communication, biasing performance characteristics to support relatively high forward link throughput, balancing performance characteristics between gateway terminals and user terminals, such as associated antenna characteristics), etc.

[0120] In some examples, the receiver array 540, the transmitter array 550, or both may have triangular cross-sections. For example, when sharing the surface of satellite 120-c, dividing the surface area of ​​that surface into triangles can support more uniform beamforming characteristics for the receiver array 540 and the transmitter array 550 than if the surface area were divided into adjacent rectangles or other shapes. In some other examples, the area of ​​the shared surface of satellite 120-c may be divided into rectangular cross-sections or other shapes for the receiver array 540 and the transmitter array 550, and in operation, satellite 120-c may be rotated such that any beamforming or other signaling asymmetries can be advantageously aligned along a specific direction of rotation. For example, the relatively longer dimensions of the receiver array 540 or the transmitter array 550 may be aligned along a specific direction, such as the separation direction between beams 125, which can reduce beamforming scan losses at angles relative to axes 545 and 555 or relative to the z-direction of satellite 120-c.

[0121] The receiving system of satellite 120-c (e.g., a receiving antenna system, an uplink antenna system, a receiving system including receiving array 540, a crosslink receiving antenna system, a receiving system including receiving array 560) can support receiving beam signals (e.g., uplink signal 132, uplink signal 173, crosslink signal 175, signal 183, via beam 125) from one or more target devices (such as one or more user terminals 150, one or more gateway terminals 130, another satellite 120, satellite 180, or combinations thereof). For example, receiving array 540 may include one or more receiving elements (e.g., receiving antenna elements, receiving feed elements) located on side 515, which are configured to receive signaling from the target device, and receiving array 560 may include one or more receiving elements located on side 516, which are configured to receive signaling from the target device.

[0122] In some implementations, the receiving elements of the receiving array 540 may support the reception of corresponding component signals associated with different polarizations, and may be associated with or may include corresponding ports configured for component signals associated with a specific polarization (e.g., one or more ports, corresponding input ports, corresponding output ports). For example, a set of receiving elements of the receiving array 540 may receive a first component signal (e.g., an electromagnetic component signal) of a first received beam signal, each first component signal having a first polarization. The received first component signal may be converted (e.g., converted to an electrical signal, converted to an electrical component signal) and output using a set of first antenna element ports (e.g., output ports). Thus, at least some of the receiving elements may receive a portion or component of the first received beam signal and may output an associated electrical signal (e.g., to a first received beamforming network corresponding to the first polarization) from a corresponding first port. In some examples, a set of receiving elements may also receive a second component signal of a second received beam signal, each second component signal having a second polarization (e.g., different from the first polarization, orthogonal to the first polarization). The received second component signal may be converted and output using a set of second antenna element ports. Therefore, at least some of the receiving elements can also receive a portion or component of the second receiving beam signal and can output the relevant electrical signal from the corresponding second port (e.g., to the second receiving beamforming network corresponding to the second polarization).

[0123] In some implementations, the receiving elements of the receiving array 560 may support the reception of a corresponding component signal associated with a cross-link polarization (e.g., a single polarization of a signal received from another satellite 120 or from satellite 180), which may be the same as one of a first or second polarization associated with the receiving elements of the receiving array 540. For example, a set of receiving elements of the receiving array 560 may receive a third component signal of a third receive beam signal, each third component signal having a cross-link polarization. The received third component signal may be converted and output using a set of third antenna element ports (e.g., output ports). Thus, at least some of the receiving elements of the receiving array 560 may receive a portion or component of the third receive beam signal and may output associated electrical signals (e.g., to a third receive beamforming network corresponding to the cross-link polarization) from the corresponding third ports.

[0124] In some examples, the receiver array 540 can be configured to receive signaling according to a first polarization associated with forward link communication and signaling according to a second polarization associated with return link communication, in which case the first polarization may be orthogonal to the second polarization. For example, the first polarization may be an example of LHCP, and the second polarization may be an example of RHCP. In various examples, the cross-link polarization supported by the receiver array 560 may therefore be LHCP or RHCP. Additionally or alternatively, the first and second polarizations may be linearly polarized, such as the first polarization having vertical polarization and the second polarization having horizontal polarization, and the cross-link polarization supported by the receiver array 560 may therefore be vertically polarized or horizontally polarized.

[0125] One or more receiving systems of satellite 120-c may include one or more beamforming networks configured to support directional reception relative to axis 545 via receiving array 540 (e.g., via multiple antenna elements of receiving array 540), or to support directional reception relative to axis 565 via receiving array 560 (e.g., via multiple antenna elements of receiving array 560). For example, such beamforming networks of one or more receiving systems may each be configured to output one or more beam signals using component signals from a set of receiving elements from receiving array 540 or a set of receiving elements from receiving array 560 according to a corresponding beam 125 (e.g., a receiving beam).

[0126] In some embodiments, one or more receiving systems of satellite 120-c may include a first beamforming network coupled to the output of a set of first antenna element ports (e.g., associated with receiver array 540), which may receive a set of first component signals (e.g., forward link component signals) from the set of first antenna element ports. The first beamforming network may output a single beam signal (e.g., a forward link beam signal) associated with a first polarization to, for example, a transponder (e.g., to a forward link transponder, to a forward link signal path, to a portion of a transponder system) that may route the beam signal to a transmission system, such as a transmission system including transmission array 550. In some embodiments, one or more receiving systems may also include a second beamforming network coupled to the output of a set of second antenna element ports (e.g., associated with receiver array 540), which may receive a set of second component signals (e.g., return link component signals) from the set of second ports. The second beamforming network can output a single beam signal associated with the second polarization (e.g., a return link beam signal) to, for example, a transponder (e.g., to a return link transponder, to a return link signal path, to a portion of the transponder system), which can route the beam signal to a transmission system, such as a transmission system including transmission array 550. In some embodiments, the receiving system may also include a third beamforming network coupled to the output of a set of third antenna element ports (e.g., associated with receiving array 560), which can receive a set of third component signals (e.g., cross-link component signals) from the set of third ports. The third beamforming network can output a single beam signal associated with the cross-link polarization (e.g., a cross-link beam signal) to, for example, a transponder (e.g., to a cross-link signal path, to a portion of the transponder system), which can route the beam signal to a transmission system, such as a transmission system including transmission array 550.

[0127] The transmission system of satellite 120-c (e.g., a transmission antenna system, a combined crosslink / downlink antenna system, a transmission system including transmission array 550) can support the transmission of beam signals (e.g., downlink signal 133, downlink signal 172, crosslink signal 175, via beam 125) to one or more target devices, such as one or more user terminals 150, one or more gateway terminals 130, or combinations thereof. For example, transmission array 550 may include one or more transmission elements (e.g., transmission antenna elements, transmission feed elements) located on side 515, which are configured to transmit signaling to the target devices. Transmission antenna elements may include physical transducers that convert electrical signals (e.g., electrical component signals) into electromagnetic signals (e.g., electromagnetic component signals).

[0128] The transmission system of satellite 120-c may include one or more beamforming networks (e.g., transmission beamforming networks) that may be configured to support directional transmission relative to axis 555 via transmission array 550 (e.g., via multiple antenna elements of transmission array 550). For example, such beamforming networks of the transmission system may each be configured to transmit one or more beam signals according to a respective beam 125 (e.g., transmission beam) using component signals output to a set of transmission elements of transmission array 550.

[0129] In some embodiments, the transmission system may include a first beamforming network coupled to the inputs of a set of first antenna element ports. The first beamforming network may (e.g., receive from a transponder (which may route beam signals from one or more receiving systems including receive array 540 and receive array 560)) a single beam signal associated with a first polarization (e.g., a transmit beam signal, a forward link beam signal, or a cross-link beam signal). The first beamforming network may output a set of first component signals (e.g., forward link component signals or cross-link component signals) to the set of first antenna element ports for transmitting a single beam 125 associated with the first polarization. In some embodiments, the transmission system may also include a second beamforming network coupled to the inputs of a set of second antenna element ports. The second beamforming network may (e.g., receive from a transponder (which may route beam signals from one or more receiving systems)) a single beam signal associated with a second polarization (e.g., a return link beam signal). The second beamforming network can output a set of second component signals (e.g., return link component signals) to a set of second antenna element ports for transmission of a single beam 125 associated with the second polarization.

[0130] In some implementations, the transmission elements of the transmission array 550 may support the transmission of corresponding component signals associated with different polarizations, and may be associated with or may include corresponding ports configured for component signals associated with a specific polarization (e.g., corresponding input ports, corresponding output ports). For example, a set of transmission elements may use a set of first antenna element ports (e.g., input ports) to receive first component signals (e.g., electrical component signals from a first transmission beamforming network corresponding to a first polarization) of a first transmission beam signal (e.g., a forward link signal, a cross-link signal), and the first component signals may be converted by the transmission elements into electromagnetic signals (e.g., electromagnetic component signals), which are transmitted by the transmission elements according to the first polarization. Therefore, at least some of the transmission elements may receive a portion or component of the first transmission beam signal and may transmit associated electromagnetic signals with the first polarization. In some examples, a set of transmission elements may use a set of second antenna element ports (e.g., input ports) to receive a second component signal (e.g., from a second transmission beamforming network corresponding to a second polarization) of a second transmission beam signal (e.g., a return link beam signal), and the second component signal may be converted by the transmission elements into an electromagnetic signal that is transmitted by the transmission elements according to the second polarization. Therefore, some of the transmission elements may also receive a portion or component of the second transmission beam signal and may transmit associated electromagnetic signals having a second polarization (e.g., different from the first polarization, orthogonal to the first polarization).

[0131] In some examples, the transmission array 550 may transmit signaling based on a first polarization associated with forward link communication (e.g., signaling to user terminal 150) and cross-link communication (e.g., signaling to another satellite 120 or satellite 180) and a second polarization associated with return link communication (e.g., signaling to gateway terminal 130), in which case the first polarization may be orthogonal to the second polarization. For example, the first polarization may be an example of LHCP and the second polarization may be an example of RHCP. Additionally or alternatively, the first and second polarizations may be linearly polarized, such as the first polarization having vertical polarization and the second polarization having horizontal polarization. In some implementations, the transmission array 550 may implement the same polarization as the receiving arrays 540 and 560 for forward and cross-link communication (e.g., implementing LHCP for forward or cross-link) and the same polarization as the receiving array 540 for return communication (e.g., implementing RHCP for return link). In some other implementations, the transmit array 550 may be polarized differently from the receive array 540 or the receive array 560 or both for forward communication or for return communication or both.

[0132] In some implementations, satellite 120-c may include additional components to support wireless communication with gateway terminal 130, user terminal 150, other satellites 120 or 180, and other devices. For example, satellite 120-c may include patch antenna 584 (e.g., an S-band patch antenna), omnidirectional antenna 582 (e.g., an omnidirectional antenna), or both, which may support communication (e.g., transmission control signaling, reception control signaling) within a limited frequency range (e.g., between 2 GHz and 4 GHz, not overlapping with or otherwise different from receive array 540, transmit array 550, and receive array 560). In some examples, one or more of these antennas may transmit control signaling (e.g., via a control band), such as scheduling information, orbit adjustment information, etc. Additionally or alternatively, patch antenna 584, omnidirectional antenna 582, or both may support transmitting or receiving signal 182, receiving uplink signal 132, receiving uplink signal 173, transmitting downlink signal 133, transmitting downlink signal 172, transmitting or receiving crosslink signal 175, or any combination thereof, etc. In some examples, patch antenna 584, omnidirectional antenna 582, or both may be located on a side of satellite 120-c that is different from the receiving array 540 and transmitting array 550, such as side 511 or side 516 (e.g., opposite to the receiving array 540 and transmitting array 550).

[0133] In some embodiments, satellite 120-c may include a tracking system 580 (e.g., a star tracker) to support the detection of telemetry information of satellite 120-c. For example, tracking system 580 may measure the position of a star or other object to determine the position of satellite 120-c, the velocity of satellite 120-c, the orientation of satellite 120-c, or any combination thereof. In some examples, satellite 120-c may use characteristics of satellite 120-c determined by tracking system 580 to determine or calculate orbital path or other telemetry information, and may transmit telemetry information (e.g., using a telemetry beacon), or may use telemetry information to control the orientation of satellite 120-c (e.g., using an angular momentum system) or determine the corresponding direction of one or more beams 125, among other embodiments. Tracking system 580 may be located on a surface of satellite 120-c (that is, a surface different from the surface including receiver array 540, transmitter array 550, or receiver array 560), such as on side 512.

[0134] In some implementations, satellite 120-c may include one or more components that support control of the orbital parameters of satellite 120-c. For example, satellite 120-c may include one or more thrusters 586, which in some examples may be located on a side of satellite 120-c that is different from the receiving array 540, transmitting array 550, and receiving array 560 (e.g., side 511), or on one or more other sides. Thrusters 586 are operable to modify the orbital path of satellite 120-c. Additionally or alternatively, satellite 120-c may include an angular momentum system (e.g., inside satellite 120-c, not shown) operable to orient (e.g., rotate) satellite 120-c about one or more axes (e.g., to align one or more sides of satellite 120-c along one or more target directions, aligning axis 545, axis 555, axis 565, or combinations thereof along one or more target directions).

[0135] Satellite 120-c may include a control system that supports various operations of satellite 120-c. For example, such a control system may be configured for aspects of directional reception, directional transmission, or both, such as modifying beam weights or beam skipping at one or more beamforming networks of the receiving system, transmitting system, or both. Additionally or alternatively, such a control system may be configured to modify the orbital characteristics of satellite 120-c (e.g., in coordination with enabling transponder signal paths and configuring beamforming parameters), such as modifying the alignment of satellite 120-c (e.g., using the angular momentum system of satellite 120-c to perform a body turn of the satellite to align the satellite surface (such as side 515 or side 516) or antenna system (such as axis 545 or 555) in various directions), or changing the orbital path itself (e.g., using thruster 586 to change the altitude of satellite 120-c, or reorienting the orbital path of satellite 120-c). In various implementations, such a control system may operate based on configuration at satellite 120-c (e.g., pre-configuration, hardware configuration, software configuration), based on signaling received at satellite 120-c (e.g., command signaling, parameter signaling, instructions, from the network controller, from the terminal, via signal 132, via signal 173, via signal 183, via receiver array 540, via patch antenna 584, via omnidirectional antenna 582), based on detection at satellite 120-c (e.g., sensor measurements, communication measurements, detection of characteristics of satellite 120-c, detection of signal quality characteristics, detection of characteristics of communication relayed by satellite 120-c, detection of environmental characteristics), or any combination thereof.

[0136] While in some examples the receiver array 540 and transmitter array 550 may be configured to communicate with a terminal on the ground segment, they may additionally or alternatively be configured to communicate with or via another satellite, such as another satellite 120 or another satellite 180. For example, to support aspects of a GEO link, satellite 120-c may support wireless communication by receiving signal 183 using receiver array 240 or transmitting signal 183 using transmitter array 250, or both (e.g., via a corresponding beam 125). In some examples, such technology may be supported by aligning the positive z-axis of satellite 120-c with satellite 180 (e.g., a geostationary satellite, for at least a portion of the orbital path of satellite 120-c).

[0137] Figure 6 An example of a payload 600 supporting a technology for an NGSO satellite communication system, as disclosed herein, is shown. Payload 600 can be implemented in satellite 120, such as reference... Figure 5A and Figure 5B The satellite 120-c is described above. For example, payload 600 may include receiving system 605 (e.g., receiving subsystem, receiving antenna system), transmission system 615 (e.g., transmission subsystem, transmission antenna system), and transponder system 610 (e.g., transponder subsystem, set of transponders, set of signal paths, set of beam signal paths) coupled to receiving system 605 and transmission system 615. Although receiving system 605, transponder system 610 and transmission system 615 are provided with demonstrative boundaries, their components may be distributed in different ways in other systems or subsystems according to the technology described.

[0138] Payload 600 may support relaying beam signals (e.g., signals associated with one or more beams 125) with or between a terminal of ground segment 101 (e.g., between gateway terminal 130 and user terminal 150), one or more other satellites (e.g., another satellite 120, satellite 180), or both. For example, receiving system 605 may include receiving subsystem 607-a (e.g., an uplink receiving subsystem), which may include receiving array 540-a and may include or otherwise couple to ports 606 (e.g., ports 606-a and 606-b, output ports, uplink ports). Receiving array 540-a may include one or more antenna elements (e.g., receiving elements) located on the side of satellite 120 (e.g., side 515). In some examples, receiving subsystem 607-a may be configured for reception within a first frequency range (e.g., an uplink frequency range, 81–86 GHz). The receiving subsystem 607-a is operable to acquire and output one or more beam signals (e.g., signals of the corresponding beam 125, uplink beam signals, and receive beam signals) based on component signals received via the antenna elements of the receiving array 540-a via ports 606-a and 606-b.

[0139] The receiving system 605 may also include a receiving subsystem 607-b (e.g., a cross-link receiving subsystem), which may include a receiving array 560-a and may include a port 606-c (e.g., a cross-link port) or otherwise coupled thereto. The receiving array 560-a may include one or more antenna elements (e.g., receiving elements) located on different sides of the satellite 120, such as side 516 (e.g., a side opposite to or otherwise different from the receiving array 540-a) or other sides different from the receiving array 540-a. Such a physical arrangement can reduce interference when receiving signals from different target devices along different directions. In some examples, the receiving subsystem 607-b may be configured to receive within a second frequency range (e.g., the cross-link frequency range 66–71 GHz or other frequency ranges that do not overlap with the first frequency range). The receiving subsystem 607-b is operable to acquire and output beam signals (e.g., signals of beam 125, cross-link beam signals, and receive beam signals) based on component signals received via the antenna elements of the receiving array 560-a via port 606-c.

[0140] Transmission system 615 may include transmission array 550-a and port 616 (e.g., input port). In some examples, ports 616-a and 616-b may be downlink ports (e.g., allocated to downlink transmissions, one for forward beaming and one for return beaming), and port 616-c may be a crosslink port (e.g., allocated to crosslink transmissions for crosslink transmission beaming). In some examples, signals from ports 612-b and 612-c may be combined to be transmitted along a single signal path of transmission system 615 (e.g., provided to a single shared beamforming network 640-b). For example, when such a combination is considered to be included in transmission system 615, the signal paths from ports 616-b and 616-c may be combined via coupler 621-d of transmission system 615. In some other examples, such combinations may be considered to be included in a repeater system, in which case at least coupler 612-d may instead be included in repeater system 610, and repeater system 610 may be considered to have two ports 612 (e.g., one corresponding to the example port 612-a and one corresponding to the combination of example ports 612-b and 612-c). In these and other examples, transmission system 615 may be considered to include two ports 618 (e.g., two input ports, two beam signaling ports), shown as ports 618-a and 618-b. In some examples, port 618-a may be a port dedicated to transmitting downlink signals (e.g., return downlink beam signals), and port 618-b may be a shared port operable to transmit downlink beam signals (e.g., forward downlink beam signals) or crosslink beam signals (e.g., along a forward link or return link) or both.

[0141] Transmitter array 550-a may include one or more antenna elements (e.g., transmission elements) located on the sides of satellite 120, such as side 515 (e.g., the same side as the antenna elements of receiver array 540-a). Transmission system 615 is operable to acquire (e.g., via port 616, via port 618) and transmit beam signals (e.g., signals of corresponding beam 125, downlink beam signals, crosslink beam signals) based on component signals transmitted via the antenna elements of transmission array 550-a. In some examples, transmission system 615 may be configured to transmit in a third frequency range (e.g., 66–76 GHz) or another frequency range that does not overlap with the first frequency range and includes the second frequency range. For example, the third frequency range may include a frequency range allocated to crosslink transmission (e.g., 66–71 GHz) and another frequency range allocated to downlink transmission (e.g., 71–76 GHz). Therefore, transmission array 550-a may be configured for bandwidths greater than those of receiver array 540-a and receiver array 560-a (e.g., 5 GHz). A bandwidth of 10 GHz (e.g., 10 GHz). Such ranges can be allocated as adjacent (e.g., within a continuous 10 GHz bandwidth), which can provide relatively improved antenna characteristics compared to cases where such ranges are not adjacent (e.g., spanning a bandwidth greater than 10 GHz).

[0142] The transponder system 610 (e.g., a transponder subsystem, a set of transponders, a set of signal paths between the receiving system 605 and the transmitting system 615) is operable to couple to port 606 of the receiving system 605 and to receive one or more beam signals from the receiving system 605. For example, repeater system 610 may include ports 611 (e.g., input ports, ports 611-a and 611-b (which may be uplink ports) and port 611-c (which may be cross-link ports), which are operable to couple with corresponding ports 606 of receiving system 605. In some other examples, corresponding ports 611 and 606 may be referred to as or equivalent to common ports or nodes. Repeater system 610 may also be operable to couple with port 616 of transmission system 615 and output one or more beam signals to transmission system 615. For example, repeater system 610 may include ports 612 (e.g., output ports, ports 612-a and 612-b (which may be downlink ports) and port 612-c (which may be cross-link ports), which are operable to couple with corresponding ports 606 of receiving system 605. The corresponding port 616 of system 615 is coupled (e.g., in a one-to-one correspondence). In some other examples, the corresponding ports 612 and 616 may be referred to or equivalent to common ports or nodes. Thus, in various examples, repeater system 610 may be considered to include three ports 611 (e.g., three inputs) coupled to the corresponding port 606 (e.g., three outputs) of the receiving system, and repeater system 610 may be considered to include port 612 (e.g., three outputs) coupled to the corresponding port 616 (e.g., three inputs) of the transmitting system 615, or a port coupled to the corresponding port 618 (e.g., two inputs) of the transmitting system 615. Thus, repeater system 610 can support various signal paths for coupling its ports 612 with its ports 611 and performing various intermediate signal processing.

[0143] Payload 600 is operable to support different modes (e.g., signaling mode, communication mode, relay mode, signal path mode, signal routing mode, beam signal mode) or combinations of these modes for relaying beam signals. These modes, as well as other operations of satellite 120 including payload 600, can be at least partially controlled by payload control system 660 (e.g., configuration, coordination, activation), which can be coupled at least to receiving system 605, transponder system 610, and transmission system 615 to configure one or more aspects of the respective components. For example, control system 660 can support operations such as managing beamforming networks (e.g., beamforming network 620, beamforming network 640), activating and deactivating the signal path of transponder system 610, and managing satellite alignment (e.g., aligning satellite 120 with a target, changing the orbital path of satellite 120). Control system 660 can include any number of one or more processors, which may include processors co-located within payload 600 or processors distributed throughout payload 600. Any one or more of these processors can be configured (e.g., individually, collectively, via software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof) to enable satellite 120 (e.g., payload 600) to perform the various operations described herein.

[0144] In various modes, payload 600 can support relay return link signals (e.g., signaling from one or more user terminals 150 to gateway terminal 130) or relay forward link signals (e.g., signaling from gateway terminal 130 to one or more user terminals 150), which may include relay cross-link signals (e.g., signaling from another satellite 120 or satellite 180, signaling to another satellite 120 or satellite 180) or combinations thereof. To support such relaying, payload 600 can receive component signals (e.g., return uplink component signals as electromagnetic component signals of uplink signal 173, cross-link component signals as electromagnetic component signals of cross-link signal 175) via antenna elements (e.g., receiving antenna elements) of receiving array 540-a, receiving array 560-a, or both. In some examples, the antenna elements can receive component signals according to polarization, which can be assigned to certain types of communication. For example, a component signal associated with return link signaling may be associated with a first polarization (e.g., RHCP), a component signal associated with forward link signaling may correspond to a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization (e.g., LHCP), and a component signal associated with cross link signaling may correspond to the first polarization, the second polarization, or another polarization. In some examples, if a component signal is associated with return link signaling or forward link signaling, the component signal may be received in a first frequency range (e.g., 81–86 GHz) (e.g., via receiver array 540-a), and if a component signal is associated with cross link signaling, the component signal may be received in a second frequency range (e.g., 66–71 GHz) or another frequency range with the same bandwidth as the first frequency range (e.g., via receiver array 560-a).

[0145] The antenna elements of the receiving array 540-a can output a corresponding first component signal (e.g., an electrical component signal associated with a first polarization) to beamforming network 620-a (e.g., via a corresponding output port), and in some examples, output a corresponding second component signal (e.g., associated with a second polarization) to beamforming network 620-b. In some examples, beamforming networks 620-a and 620-b can be referred to as a single beamforming network 620 of receiving subsystem 607-a, which is configured to support directional reception of a single corresponding beam 125 of each of the different polarizations supported by receiving array 540-a. The antenna elements of the receiving array 560-a can output a corresponding component signal to beamforming network 620-c. For at least some (if not all) of the respective antenna elements, beamforming network 620 may apply gain, phase adjustment, or time adjustment, or any combination thereof, to the component signals according to the beamforming direction (e.g., the direction of the receive beam 125 with the receive beam weight configured by control system 660) to generate a receive beam signal (e.g., a return link uplink beam signal, a forward link uplink beam signal, or a cross link beam signal) based on the component signals received from the antenna elements.

[0146] Each beamforming network 620 may include an output 622 (e.g., a single output, output 622-a corresponding to the output of the return link uplink beam signal, input 622-b corresponding to the output of the output of the forward link uplink beam signal, and output 622-c corresponding to the output of the cross-link beam signal), which may be configured to output beam signals to the transponder system 610 (e.g., via ports 606-a, 606-b, or 606-c). In some examples, output 622 may be configured to output the received beam signal in the same frequency range as the received component signal. In some examples, output 622 may be supported by activating (e.g., via control system 660) corresponding amplifiers 665 (e.g., amplifiers 665-a, 665-b, and 665-c).

[0147] The repeater system 610 may include various signal paths between ports 611 and 612. For example, the repeater system 610 may include a first signal path between ports 611-b and 612-b (e.g., for forward uplink to downlink relay), a second signal path between ports 611-c and 612-b (e.g., for forward cross-link to downlink relay), a third signal path between ports 611-b and 612-c (e.g., for forward uplink to cross-link relay), and a fourth signal path between ports 611-c and 612-c (e.g., for cross-link relay). The system includes a link-to-crosslink trunk, a fifth signaling path between port 611-a and port 612-c (e.g., for returning an uplink to a crosslink trunk), a sixth signaling path between port 611-c and port 612-a (e.g., for returning a crosslink to a downlink trunk), and a seventh signaling path between port 611-a and port 612-a (e.g., for returning an uplink to a downlink trunk), at least some of which can be simultaneously supported by the repeater system 610 (e.g., for multi-directional trunking).

[0148] In some examples, repeater system 610 may include one or more switching components 626 having an input 627 (e.g., an input port) and an output 628 (e.g., an output port), which are operable to control (e.g., based on configuring the switching components 626 via control system 660) the coupling between components of various signal paths. For example, repeater system 610 may include a switching component 626-a (e.g., a single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch) that can route a signal from input 627-a to output 628-a-1 or output 628-a-2. Repeater system 610 may also include a switching component 626-b (e.g., an SPDT switch) that can route a signal from input 627-b to output 628-b-1 or output 628-b-2. The repeater system 610 may also include a switching element 626-c (e.g., a double-pole double-throw (DPDT) switch) that can route a signal from input 627-c-1 or input 627-c-2 to output 628-c-1 or output 628-c-2. The repeater system 610 may also include a switching element 626-d (e.g., a single-pole triple-throw (SP3T) switch) that can route a signal from input 627-d to output 628-d-1, output 628-d-2, or output 628-d-3.

[0149] In some examples, the repeater system 610 may include one or more couplers 621 (e.g., signal path connectors) that support the transmission of at least a portion of one or more signals input to coupler 621 via the output of coupler 621 (e.g., providing coupling between components). For example, coupler 621-a may transmit a signal from output 628-d-1, a signal from port 611-a, or both, to frequency converter 625-a (e.g., an uplink to IF frequency converter). Coupler 621-b may transmit a signal from output 628-d-2, a signal from port 611-b, or both, to frequency converter 625-b (e.g., an uplink to IF frequency converter). Coupler 621-c may transmit a signal from output 628-a-2, a signal from output 628-b-2, or both, to frequency converter 636 (e.g., an IF to crosslink frequency converter). Coupler 621-d can transmit a signal from output 628-d-3 or a signal from frequency converter 636, or both, to port 612-c (e.g., via input 642-b to beamforming network 640-b). Coupler 621 may include one or more switches (e.g., operable using control system 660) to support relay signals, or may support signal addition (e.g., summation), or both, etc. In some examples, a signal from a single component coupled to coupler 621 can be transmitted through coupler 621, possibly because one or more other components coupled to coupler 621 are disabled (e.g., deactivated, powered off).

[0150] Each signal path of the transponder system 610 may be coupled to one of the outputs 622 (e.g., directly or via amplifier 665 where applicable) and is operable to receive a received beam signal from the beamforming network 620 (e.g., via port 611). In some embodiments, the transponder system 610 may include one or more frequency converters between ports 611 and 612. For example, the transponder system 610 may down-convert a received beam signal (e.g., an uplink beam signal from the receiving subsystem 607-a) from a first frequency range (e.g., an uplink frequency range, 81–86 GHz) to an IF range to generate an IF signal using frequency converters 625 (e.g., down-frequency converter, frequency converter 625-a, frequency converter 625-b) that receive the received beam signal and convert the frequency of the IF signal to the IF frequency range. In some examples, the IF frequency range may be 11–16 GHz or another frequency range having the same bandwidth as the first frequency range. In some cases, to support such frequency conversion, the frequency converter 625 may receive, for example, from the frequency generator 630 (e.g., from the switching component 626-c, from the input 627-c-2) an oscillator signal having a first oscillator frequency (e.g., 70 GHz, to be converted from the 81–86 GHz range to the 11–16 GHz range), and may output an IF signal whose frequency corresponds to the difference between the frequency of the received beam signal and the first oscillator frequency.

[0151] Additionally or alternatively, the transponder system 610 may downconvert the received beam signal (e.g., the crosslink beam signal from the receiving subsystem 607-b) from a second frequency range (e.g., the crosslink frequency range, 66–71 GHz) to the IF frequency range to generate an IF signal using a frequency converter 625, which receives the second received beam signal and converts the frequency of the second IF signal to the IF frequency range. In some cases, to support such frequency conversion, the frequency converter 625 may receive, for example, an oscillator signal having a second oscillator frequency (e.g., 55 GHz for conversion from the 66–71 GHz range to the 11–16 GHz range) from a frequency generator 630 (e.g., from the switching component 626-c, from the input 627-c-1), and may output a second IF signal with a frequency corresponding to the difference between the frequency of the second received beam signal and the second oscillator frequency.

[0152] In some examples, payload 600 can be considered a processing payload and may include circuitry for processing techniques such as analog-to-digital conversion, sampling, demodulation, signal extraction, demultiplexing, channeling, multiplexing, signal insertion, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, and other processing techniques. In some such examples, such processing techniques may be implemented on the IF signal between frequency converter 625 and frequency converters 636 and 655. Payload processing may include processing in the analog domain, processing in the digital domain, or both. In some other examples, the payload may be considered a non-processing payload (e.g., in a bend-pipe payload configuration), and the IF signal may be forwarded by transponder system 610 without such processing techniques.

[0153] Along various signal paths, the transponder system 610 can also upconvert the IF signal from the IF frequency range to another frequency range, such as the downlink frequency range, to generate a downlink beam signal (e.g., a return link downlink beam signal, a forward link downlink beam signal), or upconvert it to a crosslink frequency range to generate a crosslink beam signal. For example, the transponder system 610 may include frequency converters 635 (e.g., upconverters, frequency converters 635-a and 635-b) that receive the IF signal and convert the frequency of the downlink beam signal to a fourth frequency range (e.g., the downlink frequency range). In some examples, the fourth frequency range may be 71–76 GHz or another frequency range having the same bandwidth as the first frequency range, the second frequency range, the IF frequency range, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the first and fourth frequency ranges may not overlap, which can allow various aspects of the receiving system 605 and the transmitting system 615 (e.g., antenna elements, signal processing hardware) to be configured according to different operating frequencies and avoid crosstalk between the transmitting system 615 and the receiving system 605. In some cases, to support such frequency conversion, frequency converter 635 may receive an oscillator signal having a third oscillator frequency (e.g., 60 GHz, to convert from the 11–16 GHz range to the 71–76 GHz range) from frequency generator 630 (e.g., from oscillator 680-a), and may output a downlink beam signal (e.g., via port 612-a or 612-b) with a frequency corresponding to the sum of the frequency of the IF signal and the third oscillator frequency.

[0154] The transponder system 610 may also include a frequency converter 636 that receives an IF signal (e.g., from switching components 626-a or 626-b) and converts the frequency of the crosslink beam signal to a second frequency range (e.g., 66–71 GHz). In some cases, to support such frequency conversion, the frequency converter 636 may, for example, receive an oscillator signal having a second oscillator frequency (e.g., 55 GHz, to convert from the 11–16 GHz range to the 66–71 GHz range) as a frequency generator 630, and may output a crosslink beam signal with a frequency corresponding to the sum of the frequency of the IF signal and the second oscillator frequency.

[0155] Transponder system 610 (e.g., frequency converter 635, frequency converter 636) can output one or more (e.g., one or two) downlink beam signals or a crosslink beam signal, or both, to transmission system 615 (e.g., via one or more ports 612, via one or more ports 616, via one or two ports 618), such as to beamforming network 640 (e.g., beamforming network 640-a, beamforming network 640-b, transmission beamformer). Each beamforming network 640 may include input 642 (e.g., input 642-a, input 642-b, single input), each beamforming network being configured to receive beam signals from transponder system 610 (via corresponding port 618). In some examples, beamforming networks 640-a and 640-b may be referred to as a single beamforming network 640 of transmission system 615, which is configured to support directional transmission of a single corresponding beam 125 of each of the different polarizations supported by transmission array 550-a.

[0156] In some examples, input 642 may be configured to receive a downlink beam signal or a crosslink beam signal, or both, in the same frequency range as the component signal to be transmitted. In some examples, input 642 may be supported by activating the correlated amplifier 670. For at least some (if not all) of the antenna elements of the transmission array 550-a, the beamforming network 640 may apply a corresponding gain, a corresponding phase adjustment, or a corresponding time adjustment, or any combination thereof, to the beam signal to generate component signals (e.g., return link component signals, forward link component signals, crosslink component signals) for the antenna elements. Such component signals may be provided to the antenna elements (e.g., to the corresponding first input ports of the antenna elements) such that the transmission array 550-a can transmit downlink beam signals, crosslink beam signals, or combinations thereof, depending on the beamforming direction (e.g., the direction of the transmission beam 125, according to the transmission beam weights configured by the control system 660).

[0157] Frequency generator 630 can be implemented in various configurations to support frequency converters 625, 635, and 636 (e.g., to output oscillator signals at one or more frequencies). For example, frequency generator 630 can use one or more oscillators 680 (e.g., oscillator circuitry) or a combination of one or more oscillators 680 with one or more frequency converters 675, as well as other configurations, to output one or more oscillator signals. In the example of payload 600, frequency generator 630 can be configured to use two oscillators 680 (e.g., at 60 GHz and 5 GHz) to generate oscillator signals at the next three frequencies (e.g., 70 GHz, 60 GHz, and 55 GHz). For example, oscillator 680-a can be configured to generate and output an oscillator signal with a third oscillator frequency (e.g., 60 GHz) (e.g., to frequency converters 635-a, 635-b, 675-a, and 675-b). Oscillator 680-b can be configured to generate an oscillator signal with a fourth frequency (e.g., 5 GHz) and output it (e.g., to a frequency multiplier, such as 681, or to a frequency converter 675-a). In some other examples, frequency generator 630 may include three oscillators 680 that directly generate oscillator signals at their respective frequencies for frequency converters 625 and 635 and 636 (e.g., 70 GHz, 60 GHz, and 55 GHz).

[0158] Oscillator 680-b can be used by frequency generator 630 to generate oscillator signals with other frequencies. For example, frequency generator 630 may include frequency converter 675-a, which can generate and output an oscillator signal having a second oscillator frequency equal to the difference between the frequencies of oscillator 680-a and oscillator 680-b (e.g., 55 GHz, as the difference between the third and fourth oscillator frequencies, as the difference between 60 GHz and 5 GHz), and output it (e.g., to switching member 626-c). Frequency generator 630 may also include frequency converter 675-b, which can generate and output an oscillator signal having a first oscillator frequency equal to the sum of the frequencies of oscillator 680-a and multiples of oscillator 680-b (e.g., 70 GHz, as the sum of the third oscillator frequency and twice the fourth oscillator frequency, as the sum of 60 GHz and 2 x 5 GHz), and output it (e.g., to switching member 626-c). More typically, frequency generator 630 is operable to generate any number of oscillator signals with frequencies equal to an integer multiple of the first oscillator frequency plus or minus the second oscillator frequency. The multiplication of the fourth oscillator frequency can be provided by multiplier 681 (e.g., a 2x multiplier). However, other configurations of frequency generator 630 can be implemented according to the aforementioned techniques, such as including a separate oscillator 680 for each oscillator frequency used by frequency converters 625, 635, or 636 (e.g., omitting frequency converter 675 and multiplier 681), and other implementations.

[0159] Payload 600 may include or may implement positioning and steering system 685, which can manage operations related to modifying the orbital characteristics of satellite 120 including payload 600, such as modifying the orbital path of satellite 120 (e.g., velocity along the orbital path, altitude of the orbital path, heading of the orbital path) or the orientation of satellite 120 (e.g., for steering satellite 120 along its orbit, for orienting axis 545 of receiver array 540-a, for orienting axis 555 of transmitter array 550-a, for orienting axis 565 of receiver array 560-a, for orienting side 515 of satellite 120, for orienting side 516 of satellite 120, or combinations thereof). For example, positioning and steering system 685 may include thruster 586, which is at least partially operated by control system 660 to modify the orbital path 120 of the satellite. Additionally or alternatively, positioning and steering system 685 may include angular momentum systems, such as reaction wheels, CMGs, or both. The control system 660 can implement an angular momentum system (e.g., to orient the satellite 120 by converting angular momentum into electrical energy) to adjust the orientation of the satellite 120, for example, to support improved beam signal communication.

[0160] In some cases, payload 600 may receive power from satellite 120 (e.g., from solar element 530), for example, using power system 608 (e.g., a DC-DC power converter). In some cases, power system 608 may include or be coupled to a power storage system (such as an onboard battery). Power system 608 may draw power from a battery to power various aspects of payload 600, may transfer power to a battery, or both. Additionally or alternatively, power system 608 may be coupled to positioning and steering system 685. For example, power system 608 may draw power from an angular momentum system, may transfer power to an angular momentum system, or both (e.g., to apply angular acceleration or deceleration to satellite 120).

[0161] In some cases, control system 660 may operate based on signaling received from satellite 120. Such signaling may be associated with a frequency band centered on the IF frequency range (e.g., 13.5 GHz). For example, payload 600 may include an operation command receiver 662 that can decode commands (e.g., command messages) received by receiving system 605. In some examples, operation command receiver 662 may decode messages included in the forward uplink beam signal (e.g., commands from gateway terminal 130). For example, a second signal path may include a coupler (not shown) that supports relaying at least a portion of the IF signal to both frequency converter 635-b and operation command receiver 662. The coupler may include one or more switches (e.g., operable using control system 660) to support relaying the IF signal to operation command receiver 662, may support signal addition (e.g., summation), or both, etc. In some cases, the operation command receiver 662 can receive a schedule that includes information such as beam weights (e.g., array beam pointing information of beamforming networks 620 and 640), main body steering maneuver commands, beam skipping information, etc., which can be provided to the control system 660.

[0162] Additionally or alternatively, satellite 120-a may use data link transmitter 667 (e.g., a command transmitter) to transmit signaling to indicate the status of satellite 120. Such signaling may also be associated with a frequency band (e.g., 13.5 GHz) at the center of the IF frequency range. For example, data link transmitter 667 may generate a beacon that includes information such as telemetry, the health status of satellite 120, payload status (e.g., the status of payload 600), or other information. Data link transmitter 667 may transmit the generated beacon signal to a coupler (not shown) that can add the beacon signal to the downlink beam signal. For example, the coupler may include one or more switches or other circuitry that supports the summation of the beacon signal and the IF signal.

[0163] Therefore, payload 600 illustrates an example for supporting communication with receiving system 605, repeater system 610, and transmission system 615, which has specific ports assigned to specific types of communication and thus specific types of signaling characteristics. For example, receiving system 605 (e.g., its subsystem 607) can be configured for uplink frequency ranges (e.g., 81–86 GHz) and crosslink frequency ranges (e.g., 66–71 GHz), and transmission system 615 can be configured for downlink frequency ranges (e.g., 71–76 GHz) and crosslink frequency ranges (e.g., using a common transmission array 550-a as a combined range of 66–76 GHz). Orthogonality between the different ports of forward, return, and crosslink at receiving system 605 and transmission system 615 can be provided by orthogonal polarization, such as assigning RHCP to return communication and LHCP to forward and crosslink communication. In some examples, the repeater system 610 may therefore include: a single signal path for forward communication between the receiving system 605 and the transmitting system 615, the single signal path including a net frequency conversion from the uplink frequency range to the downlink frequency range and maintaining the forward link polarization; and a single signal path for return communication between the receiving system 605 and the transmitting system 615, the single signal path including a net frequency conversion from the uplink frequency range to the downlink frequency range and maintaining the return link polarization association. Payload 600 also illustrates examples of mapping such inputs and outputs for implementing a single input (e.g., ports 660-c and 611-c for cross-link reception) for obtaining cross-link beam signals and a single output (e.g., ports 612-c and 616-c for outputting cross-link beam signals) for outputting cross-link beam signals, and for various relay and associated signal characteristic conversions between uplink, downlink, and cross-link signaling. Such a configuration can provide an efficient way for one-way or multi-way forward and return signal relay in satellites 120 (e.g., satellite 120-c) including payloads 600, including such relays that may involve cross-link signaling with another satellite 120 or satellite 180.

[0164] In some examples, the gains of the forward link repeaters (e.g., between output 622-a and input 642-a), return link repeaters (e.g., between output 622-b and input 642-b), and cross-link repeaters (e.g., between output 622-c and input 642-c) of payload 600 can be different and configured based on corresponding signaling characteristics. For example, amplifier 665-a can be configured with a gain based on the transmit power of antenna assembly 151, amplifier 665-b can have a gain based on the transmit power of gateway antenna system 131, and amplifier 665-c can have a gain based on the transmit power of satellite 120 or satellite 180. Furthermore, amplifier 670-a can be configured with a gain based on the receive sensitivity of gateway antenna system 131, amplifier 670-b can have a gain based on the receive sensitivity of antenna assembly 151, and amplifier 670-c can have a gain based on the receive sensitivity of satellite 120 or satellite 180. In some examples, such gains may be biased towards certain types of communication rather than others. For example, a forward link transponder may be configured with a gain that is relatively higher or lower than that of a return link transponder (e.g., within a given power constraint of satellite 120 including payload 300), and so on. Although amplifier 665 is shown as a component of receiving system 605 and amplifier 670 is shown as a component of transmitting system 615, in some other examples, amplifier 665, amplifier 670, or both may be considered as components of transponder system 610 or otherwise configured to support a net gain of a given signal path of payload 600 for certain types of communication with certain types of devices.

[0165] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the configuration of the scan angles between beamforming network 620 and beamforming network 640 may differ, such as between any combination of uplink, downlink, or crosslink communication, between forward and reverse communication, or between combinations thereof, or other differences in various aspects of link balancing or biasing. For example, payload 600 may be configured to relay signaling to gateway terminal 130 within a relatively small portion of the service area instead of relaying signaling to user terminal 150, which may be associated with reduced scan loss when transmitting signaling to gateway terminal 130. In such examples, beamforming network 620-a, beamforming network 640-b, or both may be configured according to a first scan angle range, and beamforming network 620-b, beamforming network 640-a, or both may be configured according to a second scan angle range greater than the first scan angle range. In some examples, the scanning angle of beamforming network 620-c (e.g., for cross-link reception) can be configured independently of beamforming networks 620-a, 620-b, 640-a, and 640-b.

[0166] In some such examples, the communication system 100 can therefore be configured such that the axis 545, axis 555, or both of the satellite 120 including the payload 600 can be more closely aligned with the gateway terminal 130 than the user terminal 150 served by the gateway terminal 130. In some examples, to support communication via the coverage area of ​​the gateway terminal 130, the satellite 120 including the payload 600 can be configured to be oriented in the positive z-direction toward the coverage area within a first angular distance from the gateway terminal 130. In such an orientation, the satellite 120 can support communication with one or more user terminals 150, each located in a corresponding other direction along a second angular distance from the positive z-direction, wherein the second angular distance may be greater than the first angular distance.

[0167] Figures 7A to 7G Examples of payload implementations 700 supporting technologies for NGSO satellite communication systems, as disclosed herein, are illustrated. Each of the payload implementations 700 can be supported by a satellite 120-d including an example of payload 600 (e.g., some components are omitted for clarity). Payload 600 can support one or more operating modes of satellite 120-d to relay communication between gateway antenna system 131 (e.g., included gateway terminal 130) and antenna assembly 151 (e.g., antenna assembly of user terminal 150), which may include cross-link relay via one or more other satellites 120 or 180 and other devices. To support such operating modes, payload 600 can support one or more configurations (e.g., one or more signaling path configurations, one or more relay configurations) that support return link signaling, forward link signaling, or combinations thereof. For example, payload 600 may be configured to support signaling paths 705 such that each of the signaling paths 705 includes one of path 730 (e.g., a single forward path), path 735 (e.g., a single return path), or path 740 (e.g., a single cross-link path), and some of the signaling paths 705 also include path 745 (e.g., a transmission path).

[0168] To support various configurations or combinations thereof, satellite 120-d can be configured to orient itself along various directions (e.g., body steering, using control system 660, using positioning and steering system 685) to support the signal relay performance of payload 600 (e.g., simultaneously activating one or more signal paths 705 for a duration during which satellite 120-d passes through a portion of orbital path 720). For example, satellite 120-d can be configured to steer in direction 715, which may correspond to an outward direction from side 515, the positive z-direction of satellite 120-d, axis 545, axis 555, or a combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, satellite 120-d may steer in direction 716, which may correspond to an outward direction from side 516, the negative z-direction of satellite 120-d, axis 565, or a combination thereof.

[0169] In some examples, satellite 120-d can be aligned nadir-down, such that positioning and steering system 685 is configured to orient itself toward the center of the Earth or toward other angles relative to the Earth as it passes along orbital path 720. In some other examples, positioning and steering system 685 can be configured to orient itself toward target 710 toward direction 715 as satellite 120-d passes along orbital path 720 (e.g., to steer toward target 710 toward direction 715 as satellite 120-d passes along a portion of orbital path 720 between positions 725). In some examples, target 710 can be a fixed location (e.g., a ground location, a location within a service area associated with one or more user terminals 150, a location within a service area associated with one or more gateway terminals 130), and satellite 120-d can steer toward target 710 toward direction 715 continuously or discontinuously (e.g., according to multiple discrete steering pulses) between positions 725 of orbital path 720, and so on. In some other examples, the control system 660 may be configured to orient the satellite 120-d relative to one or more target devices (e.g., direction 715, direction 716, or a combination thereof), which may be based on one or more payload implementations 700 configured at the satellite 120-d at a given time.

[0170] Satellite 120-d can be configured to perform such operations in various ways. For example, satellite 120-d can determine such a configuration based on information stored at satellite 120-d, such as information about communication allocation, terminal location, characteristics of orbital path 720, information about target 710, and other information. In some examples, satellite 120-d can be configured by one or more controllers of ground segment 101, which may involve signaling of any one or more of the above information from ground segment to satellite 120-d (e.g., signals received earlier along orbital path 720 from gateway terminal 130 via uplink signals 132, 181, 183, 173, 175, or combinations thereof, which may be relayed via another satellite 120 or satellite 180). For example, network device 141 or gateway terminal 130 (e.g., network controller) can determine various aspects of the configuration of satellite 120-d to support one or more configurations for relay signaling (e.g., forward signaling or return signaling, which may involve cross-links), and satellite 120-d can be configured via signaling to satellite 120-d.

[0171] Figure 7A An example of payload implementation 700-a supporting a first configuration of payload 600 (e.g., a forward uplink to downlink relay configuration) is shown, which may include relaying signaling from gateway antenna system 131-b to antenna assembly 151-b.

[0172] In the first configuration, the receiving system 605 (e.g., receiving subsystem 607-a) can be configured to receive uplink signal 132-b (e.g., receiving beam signal, forward uplink signal, according to uplink frequency range, according to forward polarization) from the gateway antenna system 131-b according to beam 125-d-1 (e.g., receiving beam). Beam 125-d-1 can be formed using, for example, a beamforming network 620-b, which can be configured by the control system 660 (e.g., implementing receive beam weighting at beamforming network 620-b to align directional reception along beam direction 127-d-1 to generate beam 125-d-1 according to a scan angle θ1 relative to direction 715).

[0173] To support the first configuration, the control system 660 can also be configured to activate (e.g., enable, configure) the signal path 705-a (e.g., including path 730) of the transponder system 610, which couples port 611-b to port 612-b to route beam signals from the receiving system 605 to the transmitting system 615. Such activation may include, for example, activating beamforming network 620-b or beamforming network 640-b, activating amplifier 665-b or amplifier 670-b, activating ports 606-b, 611-b, 612-b, 616-b, 618-b or connections therebetween, activating path 730, activating frequency converter 625-b or 635-b, configuring switch 626-b to couple input 627-b to output 628-b-1, configuring switch 626-c to couple input 627-c-2 to output 628-c-2, or any combination thereof, and other activations. Signal path 705-a can therefore enable frequency conversion of frequency converters 625-b and 635-b (e.g., to convert from the uplink frequency range to the IF range and from the IF range to the downlink frequency range).

[0174] In the first configuration, the transmission system 615 can thus transmit a downlink signal 172-b (e.g., a transmission beam signal, a forward downlink signal, based on the downlink frequency range, based on the forward polarization) at least in part based on the uplink signal 132-b to the antenna assembly 151-b. The transmission system 615 can transmit the downlink signal 172-b according to the beam 125-d-2 (e.g., the transmission beam). The beam 125-d-2 can be formed using, for example, a beamforming network 640-b, which can be configured by the control system 660 (e.g., implementing transmission beam weighting at the beamforming network 640-b to align the directional transmission along the beam direction 127-d-2 to generate the beam 125-d-2 according to the scan angle θ2).

[0175] In some embodiments, the first configuration can be supported by turning direction 715 toward target 710-a (e.g., during the duration of satellite 120-d passing between positions 725-a-1 and 725-a-2). In some embodiments, turning satellite 120-d to support the first configuration can be at least partially based on a combination of the positions of gateway antenna system 131-b and antenna assembly 151-b (e.g., in combination with the position of satellite 120-d). For example, positioning and turning system 685 can be configured to turn satellite 120-d at least partially based on the orientation of direction 715 relative to the positions of gateway antenna system 131-b and antenna assembly 151-b. In some examples, the orientation of direction 715 can be determined based on beam performance (such as the roll-off characteristics of the receive array 540-a and the transmit array 550-a, or the transmit and receive capabilities of the target device (e.g., antenna assembly 151-b, gateway antenna system 131-b), or a combination thereof) (e.g., at satellite 120-d, at the network controller of ground segment 101). In some examples, as satellite 120-d crosses orbital path 720-a, the orientation of direction 715 can be continuously calculated as an angle between beam directions 127-d-1 and 127-d-2 (e.g., bisecting the angle), which can mitigate the scan angles of beamforming networks 620 and 640 and improve signal integrity (e.g., by keeping θ1 equal to θ2, or within a threshold difference of θ2, or by selecting θ1 and θ2 to support the same or similar scan roll-off characteristics or otherwise balancing link characteristics).

[0176] Figure 7B An example of payload implementation 700-b supporting a second configuration (e.g., a forward cross-link to downlink relay configuration) of payload 600 is shown, which may include relaying signaling from satellite 120-e (e.g., in geostationary orbit or along NGSO) to antenna assembly 151-b.

[0177] In the second configuration, the receiving system 605 (e.g., receiving subsystem 607-b) can be configured to receive crosslink signals 175-c (e.g., forward crosslink signals, based on the crosslink frequency range and crosslink polarization) from satellite 120-e according to beam 125-e-1. Beam 125-e-1 can be formed using, for example, a beamforming network 620-c, which can be configured by the control system 660 (e.g., implementing receive beam weighting at beamforming network 620-c to align directional reception along beam direction 127-e-1 to generate beam 125-e-1 according to a scan angle θ1 relative to direction 716).

[0178] To support the second configuration, the control system 660 can also be configured to activate (e.g., enable, configure) the signal path 705-b of the transponder system 610 (e.g., including paths 745-a and 730), which couples port 611-c to port 612-b to route beam signals from the receiving system 605 to the transmitting system 615. Such activations may include, for example, activating beamforming network 620-c or beamforming network 640-b, activating amplifier 665-c or amplifier 670-b, activating ports 606-c, 611-c, 612-b, 616-b, 618-b or connections therebetween, activating paths 745-a and 730, activating frequency converter 625-b or 635-b, configuring switch 626-b to couple input 627-b to output 628-b-1, configuring switch 626-c to couple input 627-c-1 to output 628-c-2, or any combination thereof, and other activations. Signal path 705-b can therefore enable frequency conversion of frequency converters 625-b and 635-b (e.g., conversion from crosslink frequency range to IF range and from IF range to downlink frequency range).

[0179] In the second configuration, transmission system 615 can therefore transmit at least partially a downlink signal 172-c (e.g., a forward-to-downlink signal, based on the downlink frequency range and forward link polarization) based on crosslink signal 175-c to antenna assembly 151-b. Transmission system 615 can transmit downlink signal 172-c according to beam 125-e-2. Beam 125-e-2 can be formed using, for example, beamforming network 640-b, which can be configured by control system 660 (e.g., implementing transmission beam weighting at beamforming network 640-b to align directional transmission along beam direction 127-e-2 to generate beam 125-e-2 according to scan angle θ2 relative to direction 715).

[0180] In some embodiments, the second configuration can be supported by turning direction 715 toward target 710-b (e.g., during the duration during which satellite 120-d passes between points 725-b-1 and 725-b-2). In some embodiments, turning satellite 120-d to support the second configuration can be at least partially based on a combination of the position of satellite 120-e and the position of antenna assembly 151-b (e.g., a combination with the position of satellite 120-d). For example, positioning and turning system 685 can be configured to turn satellite 120-d at least partially based on the orientation of direction 716 relative to the position of satellite 120-e and the orientation of direction 715 relative to the position of antenna assembly 151-b. In some examples, the orientation of directions 715 and 716 can be determined based on beam performance (such as the roll-off characteristics of the receive array 560-a and the transmit array 550-a, or the transmit and receive capabilities of the target equipment (e.g., satellite 120-e, antenna assembly 151-b), or a combination thereof) (e.g., at satellite 120-d, at the network controller of ground segment 101). In some examples, the orientation of directions 715 and 716 can be calculated continuously as satellite 120-d passes through orbital path 720-b, which can mitigate the scan angles of beamforming networks 620 and 640 and improve signal integrity (e.g., by keeping θ1 equal to θ2 or within a threshold difference of θ2, or by selecting θ1 and θ2 to support the same or similar scan roll-off characteristics or otherwise balancing link characteristics).

[0181] Figure 7C An example of payload implementation 700-c supporting a third configuration (e.g., a forward uplink to crosslink relay configuration) for payload 600 is shown, which may include relaying signaling from gateway antenna system 131-b to satellite 120-e (e.g., in geostationary orbit or along NGSO).

[0182] In the third configuration, the receiving system 605 (e.g., receiving subsystem 607-a) can be configured to receive uplink signal 132-d (e.g., forward uplink signal, based on uplink frequency range, based on forward polarization) from the gateway antenna system 131-b according to beam 125-f-1. Beam 125-f-1 can be formed using, for example, a beamforming network 620-b, which can be configured by the control system 660 (e.g., implementing receive beam weighting at beamforming network 620-b to align directional reception along beam direction 127-f-1 to generate beam 125-f-1 according to a scan angle θ1 relative to direction 715).

[0183] To support a third configuration, the control system 660 can also be configured to activate (e.g., enable, configure) the signal path 705-c of the transponder system 610 (e.g., including paths 745-b and 740), which couples port 611-b to port 612-c to route beam signals from the receiving system 605 to the transmitting system 615. Such activations may include, for example, activating beamforming network 620-b or beamforming network 640-b, activating amplifier 665-b or amplifier 670-c, activating ports 606-b, 611-b, 612-c, 616-c, 618-b or connections therebetween, activating paths 745-b and 740, activating frequency converter 625-b or 636, configuring switch 626-b to couple input 627-b to output 628-b-2, configuring switch 626-c to couple input 627-c-2 to output 628-c-2, or any combination thereof, and other activations. Signal path 705-c can therefore enable frequency conversion of frequency converters 625-b and 636 (e.g., conversion from uplink frequency range to IF range and from IF range to crosslink frequency range).

[0184] In the third configuration, transmission system 615 can therefore transmit at least partially, based on uplink signal 132-d, crosslink signal 175-d (e.g., forward crosslink signal, based on crosslink frequency range, based on crosslink polarization) to satellite 120-e. Transmission system 615 can transmit crosslink signal 175-d according to beam 125-f-2. Beam 125-f-2 can be formed using, for example, beamforming network 640-b, which can be configured by control system 660 (e.g., implementing transmission beam weighting at beamforming network 640-b to align directional transmission along beam direction 127-f-2 to generate beam 125-f-2 according to scan angle θ2 relative to direction 715).

[0185] In some implementations, a third configuration can be supported by turning direction 715 toward target 710-c (e.g., during the duration of satellite 120-d passing between points 725-c-1 and 725-c-2). In some implementations, turning satellite 120-d to support the third configuration can be at least partially based on a combination of the position of gateway antenna system 131-b and the position of satellite 120-e (e.g., a combination with the position of satellite 120-d). For example, positioning and turning system 685 can be configured to turn satellite 120-d at least partially based on the orientation of direction 715 relative to the position of gateway antenna system 131-b and the position of satellite 120-e. In some examples, the orientation of direction 715 can be determined based on beam performance (such as the roll-off characteristics of the receive array 540-a and the transmit array 550-a, or the transmit and receive capabilities of the target device (e.g., gateway antenna system 131-b, satellite 120-e), or a combination thereof) (e.g., at satellite 120-d, at the network controller of ground segment 101). In some examples, as satellite 120-d crosses orbital path 720-c, the orientation of direction 715 can be continuously calculated as an angle between beam directions 127-d-1 and 127-d-2 (e.g., bisecting the angle), which can mitigate the scan angles of beamforming networks 620 and 640 and improve signal integrity (e.g., by keeping θ1 equal to θ2, or within a threshold difference of θ2, or by selecting θ1 and θ2 to support the same or similar scan roll-off characteristics or otherwise balancing link characteristics).

[0186] Figure 7D An example of payload implementation 700-d supporting a fourth configuration of payload 600 (e.g., a cross-link to cross-link relay configuration for forward or return relay) is shown, which may include relaying signaling from satellite 120-e-1 to satellite 120-e-2 (e.g., each in geostationary orbit or along NGSO).

[0187] In the fourth configuration, the receiving system 605 (e.g., receiving subsystem 607-b) can be configured to receive crosslink signal 175-e-1 from satellite 120-e-1 according to beam 125-g-1 (e.g., forward receiving crosslink signal or return receiving crosslink signal, depending on the crosslink frequency range and crosslink polarization). Beam 125-g-1 can be formed using, for example, a beamforming network 620-c, which can be configured by control system 660 (e.g., implementing receive beam weighting at beamforming network 620-c to align directional reception along beam direction 127-g-1 to generate beam 125-g-1 according to a scan angle θ1 relative to direction 716).

[0188] To support the fourth configuration, the control system 660 can also be configured to activate (e.g., enable, configure) the signaling path 705-d of the transponder system 610 (e.g., including path 740), which couples port 611-c to port 612-c to route beam signals from the receiving system 605 to the transmitting system 615. Such activation may include, for example, activating beamforming network 620-c or beamforming network 640-b, activating amplifier 665-c or amplifier 670-c, activating ports 606-c, 611-c, 612-c, 616-c, 618-b or connections therebetween, activating path 740, or any combination thereof, and other activations. Signaling path 705-d can thus be achieved without frequency shifting (e.g., keeping signaling within the cross-link frequency range).

[0189] In the fourth configuration, transmission system 615 can therefore transmit a cross-link signal 175-e-2 (e.g., forward transmission cross-link signal, return transmission cross-link signal, according to cross-link frequency range, according to cross-link polarization) at least in part based on cross-link signal 175-e-1 to satellite 120-e-2. Transmission system 615 can transmit cross-link signal 175-e-2 according to beam 125-g-2. Beam 125-g-2 can be formed using, for example, beamforming network 640-b, which can be configured by control system 660 (e.g., implementing transmission beam weights at beamforming network 640-b to align directional transmission along beam direction 127-g-2 to generate beam 125-g-2 according to scan angle θ2 relative to direction 715).

[0190] In some embodiments, the fourth configuration can be supported by turning direction 715 toward target 710-d (e.g., during the duration of satellite 120-d passing between points 725-d-1 and 725-d-2). In some embodiments, turning satellite 120-d to support the fourth configuration can be at least partially based on a combination of the positions of satellite 120-e-1 and satellite 120-e-2 (e.g., a combination with the position of satellite 120-d). For example, positioning and turning system 685 can be configured to turn satellite 120-d at least partially based on the orientation of direction 716 relative to the position of satellite 120-e-1 and the orientation of direction 715 relative to the position of satellite 120-e-2. In some examples, the orientation of directions 715 and 716 can be determined based on beam performance (such as the roll-off characteristics of the receive array 560-a and the transmit array 550-a, or the transmit and receive capabilities of the target equipment (e.g., satellites 120-e-1 and 120-e-2), or a combination thereof) (e.g., at satellite 120-d, at the network controller of ground segment 101). In some examples, the orientation of directions 715 and 716 can be calculated continuously as satellite 120-d crosses orbital path 720-d, which can mitigate the scan angles of beamforming networks 620 and 640 and improve signal integrity (e.g., by keeping θ1 equal to θ2 or within a threshold difference of θ2, or by selecting θ1 and θ2 to support the same or similar scan roll-off characteristics or otherwise balancing link characteristics).

[0191] Figure 7E An example of payload implementation 700-e supporting a fifth configuration (e.g., a return-to-uplink-to-crosslink relay configuration) of payload 600 is shown, which may include relaying signaling from antenna assembly 151-b to satellite 120-e (e.g., in geostationary orbit or along NGSO).

[0192] In the fifth configuration, the receiving system 605 (e.g., receiving subsystem 607-a) can be configured to receive uplink signal 173-f from antenna assembly 151-b according to beam 125-h-1 (e.g., return uplink signal, according to uplink frequency range, according to return polarization). Beam 125-h-1 can be formed using, for example, beamforming network 620-a, which can be configured by control system 660 (e.g., implementing receive beam weighting at beamforming network 620-a to align directional reception along beam direction 127-h-1 to generate beam 125-h-1 according to scan angle θ1 relative to direction 715).

[0193] To support the fifth configuration, the control system 660 can also be configured to activate (e.g., enable, configure) the signal path 705-e of the transponder system 610 (e.g., including paths 745-c and 740), which couples port 611-a to port 612-c to route beam signals from the receiving system 605 to the transmitting system 615. Such activations may include, for example, activating beamforming network 620-a or beamforming network 640-b, activating amplifier 665-a or amplifier 670-c, activating ports 606-a, 611-a, 612-c, 616-c, 618-b or connections therebetween, activating paths 745-c and 740, activating frequency converter 625-a or 636, configuring switch 626-a to couple input 627-a to output 628-a-2, configuring switch 626-c to couple input 627-c-2 to output 628-c-1, or any combination thereof, and other activations. Signal path 705-e can therefore enable frequency conversion of frequency converters 625-a and 636 (e.g., conversion from uplink frequency range to IF range and from IF range to crosslink frequency range).

[0194] In the fifth configuration, transmission system 615 can therefore transmit at least partially a crosslink signal 175-f based on uplink signal 173-f (e.g., a return crosslink signal, according to the crosslink frequency range, according to the crosslink polarization) to satellite 120-e. Transmission system 615 can transmit crosslink signal 175-f according to beam 125-h-2. Beam 125-h-2 can be formed using, for example, beamforming network 640-b, which can be configured by control system 660 (e.g., implementing transmission beam weighting at beamforming network 640-b to align directional transmission along beam direction 127-h-2 to generate beam 125-h-2 according to a scan angle θ2 relative to direction 715).

[0195] In some embodiments, the fifth configuration can be supported by turning direction 715 toward target 710-e (e.g., during the duration during which satellite 120-d passes between points 725-e-1 and 725-e-2). In some embodiments, turning satellite 120-d to support the fifth configuration can be at least partially based on a combination of the position of antenna assembly 151-b and the position of satellite 120-e (e.g., a combination with the position of satellite 120-d). For example, positioning and turning system 685 can be configured to turn satellite 120-d at least partially based on the orientation of direction 715 relative to the position of antenna assembly 151-b and the position of satellite 120-e. In some examples, the orientation of direction 715 can be determined based on beam performance (such as the roll-off characteristics of the receive array 540-a and the transmit array 550-a, or the transmit and receive capabilities of the target equipment (e.g., antenna assembly 151-b, satellite 120-e), or a combination thereof) (e.g., at satellite 120-d, at the network controller of ground segment 101). In some examples, as satellite 120-d crosses orbital path 720-e, the orientation of direction 715 can be continuously calculated as an angle between beam directions 127-h-1 and 127-h-2 (e.g., bisecting the angle), which can mitigate the scan angles of beamforming networks 620 and 640 and improve signal integrity (e.g., by keeping θ1 equal to θ2, or within a threshold difference of θ2, or by selecting θ1 and θ2 to support the same or similar scan roll-off characteristics or otherwise balancing link characteristics).

[0196] Figure 7F An example of payload implementation 700-f supporting a sixth configuration (e.g., a cross-link to downlink relay configuration) of payload 600 is shown, which may include relaying signaling from satellite 120-e (e.g., in geostationary orbit or along NGSO) to gateway antenna system 131-b.

[0197] In the sixth configuration, the receiving system 605 (e.g., receiving subsystem 607-b) can be configured to receive crosslink signals 175-g from satellite 120-e according to beam 125-i-1 (e.g., return crosslink signals, according to the crosslink frequency range, according to the crosslink polarization). Beam 125-i-1 can be formed using, for example, a beamforming network 620-c, which can be configured by the control system 660 (e.g., implementing receive beam weighting at beamforming network 620-c to align directional reception along beam direction 127-i-1 to generate beam 125-i-1 according to a scan angle θ1 relative to direction 716).

[0198] To support the sixth configuration, the control system 660 can also be configured to activate (e.g., enable, configure) the signal path 705-f of the transponder system 610 (e.g., including paths 745-d and 735), which couples port 611-c to port 612-a to route beam signals from the receiving system 605 to the transmitting system 615. Such activations may include, for example, activating beamforming network 620-c or beamforming network 640-a, activating amplifier 665-c or amplifier 670-a, activating ports 606-c, 611-c, 612-a, 616-a, 618-a or connections therebetween, activating paths 745-d and 735, activating frequency converter 625-a or 635-a, configuring switch 626-a to couple input 627-a to output 628-a-1, configuring switch 626-c to couple input 627-c-1 to output 628-c-1, or any combination thereof, and other activations. Signal path 705-f can therefore enable frequency conversion of frequency converters 625-b and 635-b (e.g., to convert from the crosslink frequency range to the IF range and from the IF range to the downlink frequency range).

[0199] In the sixth configuration, the transmission system 615 can therefore transmit at least partially a downlink signal 133-g (e.g., a return downlink signal, based on the downlink frequency range and the return link polarization) based on the crosslink signal 175-g to the gateway antenna system 131-b. The transmission system 615 can transmit the downlink signal 133-g according to the beam 125-i-2. The beam 125-i-2 can be formed using, for example, a beamforming network 640-a, which can be configured by the control system 660 (e.g., implementing transmission beam weighting at the beamforming network 640-a to align directional transmission along the beam direction 127-i-2 to generate the beam 125-i-2 according to a scan angle θ2 relative to the direction 715).

[0200] In some implementations, the sixth configuration can be supported by turning direction 715 toward target 710-f (e.g., during the duration when satellite 120-d passes between points 725-f-1 and 725-f-2). In some implementations, turning satellite 120-d to support the sixth configuration can be at least partially based on a combination of the position of satellite 120-e and the position of gateway antenna system 131-b (e.g., a combination with the position of satellite 120-d). For example, positioning and turning system 685 can be configured to turn satellite 120-d at least partially based on the orientation of direction 716 relative to the position of satellite 120-e and the orientation of direction 715 relative to the position of gateway antenna system 131-b. In some examples, the orientation of directions 715 and 716 can be determined based on beam performance (such as the roll-off characteristics of the receive array 560-a and the transmit array 550-a, or the transmit and receive capabilities of the target equipment (e.g., satellite 120-e, gateway antenna system 131-b), or a combination thereof) (e.g., at satellite 120-d, at the network controller of ground segment 101). In some examples, the orientation of directions 715 and 716 can be calculated continuously as satellite 120-d traverses orbital path 720-f, which can mitigate the scan angles of beamforming networks 620 and 640 and improve signal integrity (e.g., by keeping θ1 equal to θ2 or within a threshold difference of θ2, or by selecting θ1 and θ2 to support the same or similar scan roll-off characteristics or otherwise balancing link characteristics).

[0201] Figure 7G An example of payload implementation 700-g supporting a seventh configuration (e.g., a return-to-uplink-to-downlink relay configuration) of payload 600 is shown, which may include relaying signaling from antenna assembly 151-b to gateway antenna system 131-b.

[0202] In the seventh configuration, the receiving system 605 (e.g., receiving subsystem 607-a) can be configured to receive uplink signal 173-h from antenna assembly 151-b according to beam 125-j-1 (e.g., return uplink signal, according to uplink frequency range, according to return link polarization). Beam 125-j-1 can be formed using, for example, beamforming network 620-a, which can be configured by control system 660 (e.g., implementing receive beam weighting at beamforming network 620-a to align directional reception along beam direction 127-j-1 to generate beam 125-j-1 according to scan angle θ1 relative to direction 715).

[0203] To support the seventh configuration, the control system 660 can also be configured to activate (e.g., enable, configure) the signal path 705-g (e.g., including path 735) of the transponder system 610, which couples port 611-a to port 612-a to route beam signals from the receiving system 605 to the transmitting system 615. Such activation may include, for example, activating beamforming network 620-a or beamforming network 640-a, activating amplifier 665-a or amplifier 670-a, activating ports 606-a, 611-a, 612-a, 616-a, 618-a or connections therebetween, activating path 735, activating frequency converter 625-a or 635-a, configuring switch 626-a to couple input 627-a to output 628-a-1, configuring switch 626-c to couple input 627-c-2 to output 628-c-1, or any combination thereof, and other activations. Signal path 705-g can therefore enable frequency conversion of frequency converters 625-a and 635-a (e.g., to convert from the uplink frequency range to the IF range and from the IF range to the downlink frequency range).

[0204] In the seventh configuration, the transmission system 615 can therefore transmit at least partially, based on the uplink signal 173-h, the downlink signal 133-h (e.g., the return downlink signal, according to the downlink frequency range, according to the return link polarization) to the gateway antenna system 131-b. The transmission system 615 can transmit the downlink signal 133-h according to the beam 125-j-2. The beam 125-j-2 can be formed using, for example, a beamforming network 640-a, which can be configured by the control system 660 (e.g., implementing transmission beam weights at the beamforming network 640-a to align directional transmission along the beam direction 127-j-2 to generate the beam 125-j-2 according to the scan angle θ2 relative to the direction 715).

[0205] In some implementations, the seventh configuration can be supported by turning direction 715 toward target 710-g (e.g., during the duration of satellite 120-d passing between points 725-g-1 and 725-g-2). In some implementations, turning satellite 120-d to support the seventh configuration can be at least partially based on a combination of the positions of gateway antenna system 131-b and antenna assembly 151-b (e.g., in combination with the position of satellite 120-d). For example, positioning and turning system 685 can be configured to turn satellite 120-d at least partially based on the orientation of direction 715 relative to the positions of gateway antenna system 131-b and antenna assembly 151-b. In some examples, the orientation of direction 715 can be determined based on beam performance (such as the roll-off characteristics of the receive array 540-a and the transmit array 550-a, or the transmit and receive capabilities of the target device (e.g., antenna assembly 151-b, gateway antenna system 131-b), or a combination thereof) (e.g., at satellite 120-d, at the network controller of ground segment 101). In some examples, as satellite 120-d passes through orbital path 720-g, the orientation of direction 715 can be continuously calculated as an angle between beam directions 127-j-1 and 127-j-2 (e.g., bisecting the angle), which can mitigate the scan angles of beamforming networks 620 and 640 and improve signal integrity (e.g., by keeping θ1 equal to θ2, or within a threshold difference of θ2, or by selecting θ1 and θ2 to support the same or similar scan roll-off characteristics or otherwise balancing link characteristics).

[0206] Although payload implementation 700 is shown and described separately, satellite 120-d, including payload 600, can support a mode in which multiple payload implementations 700 are implemented simultaneously. In some examples, satellite 120-d is operable to support any pair of configurations implementing different ports 606 (e.g., supporting any two of forward, return, or cross-link reception) and different ports 618. For example, for a mode supporting bidirectional relay without cross-links, satellite 120-d can be configured to enable signal paths 705-a and 705-g (e.g., simultaneously), and in such a mode, satellite 120-d can be configured to disable other signal paths 705-b to 705-f (e.g., disabling amplifiers 665-c and 670-c, disabling beamforming network 620-c, disabling ports 606-c, 611-c, 612-c, 616-c or connections between them, disabling switching component 626-d or its interconnections, etc.). In another example, for a mode supporting bidirectional relay with forward cross-links, satellite 120-d can be configured to enable signal paths 705-b and 705-g, and in this mode, satellite 120-d can be configured to disable signal paths 705-a and 705-c through 705-f. In another example, for a mode supporting bidirectional relay with return cross-links, satellite 120-d can be configured to enable signal paths 705-a and 705-f, and in this mode, the satellite can be configured to disable other signal paths 705-b through 705-e and 705-g. In another example, for a mode supporting both return relay and cross-link relay, satellite 120-d can be configured to enable signal paths 705-d and 705-g, and in this mode, satellite 120-d can be configured to disable signal paths 705-a through 705-c, 705-e, and 705-f. In some examples, if any of signal paths 705-a to 705-d is enabled, the other paths in these signal paths may be disabled. Additionally or alternatively, if any of signal paths 705-e to 705-g is enabled, the other paths in these signal paths may be disabled. In each of these examples, the steering of satellite 120-d can be balanced between one or more enabled configurations, such as minimizing the scan angle, balancing or biasing link characteristics, and other considerations.

[0207] Satellite 120-d can therefore operate in different modes, which can achieve configurations one through seven or combinations thereof (e.g., simultaneously for two-way relay). In some examples, orienting satellite 120-d may also include rotating satellite 120-d about its central axis (e.g., about the z-direction, about direction 715). For example, control system 660 may configure positioning and steering system 685 to rotate satellite 120-d about the z-direction (e.g., about direction 715) based on antenna parameters (e.g., the directional sensitivity of receiver array 540, receiver array 560, or transmitter array 550 along the x-direction, along the y-direction, or both), or satellite 120-d may be oriented to improve energy harvesting using solar element 530, and so on.

[0208] Figure 8A and Figure 8B An example of satellite 120-f supporting technologies for an NGSO satellite communication system, as disclosed herein, is shown. Satellite 120-f can be configured for deployment in an NGSO and supports various aspects of the technologies described in communication system 100. For example, satellite 120-f can support target functions for receiving and transmitting beam signals, which allows for a relatively small size and relatively low complexity. In some examples, the relatively small size of satellite 120-f, among other factors, can support the relatively low cost and overhead associated with deploying satellite 120-f in communication system 100. For example, multiple satellites 120-f can be deployed from the same launch vehicle payload, rather than launching and deploying satellites 120-f separately. While some technologies are described with reference to satellite 120-f operating in NGSO, in some other examples, one or more of the technologies can be implemented in satellite 120 or satellite 180 operating in geostationary orbit, as well as in other implementations.

[0209] Satellite 120-f may have a generally prismatic shape and may be described with reference to the x, y, and z directions of coordinate system 800. Satellite 120-f may include a main body portion 810 having sides (e.g., surfaces, which may be planar or curved), including sides 811, 812, 813, 814, 815, and 816. Although in some examples the sides of satellite 120-f may be orthogonal, in some other examples the sides of satellite 120-f may be in different orientations, such as trapezoidal prisms, rhomboid prisms, hexagonal prisms, or other shapes.

[0210] In some examples, satellite 120-f may include one or more panels 820 deployable from the body portion 810, such as panels 820-a and 820-b rotatably coupled to the body portion 810 using hinges 825. In some embodiments, the panels 820 may support one or more solar elements 830, which may be positioned on one or both sides of a respective panel 820 and may provide power to the operating components of satellite 120-f. For example, satellite 120-f may include a first solar panel array configured to be deployed from side 813 and a second solar panel array configured to be deployed from side 814. In some examples, the control system of satellite 120-f may use hinges 825 to manage the deployment of the solar panels 820.

[0211] Satellite 120-f can support wireless communication between ground terminals. For example, it can receive uplink signaling (e.g., forward uplink signaling, return uplink signaling, uplink signal 132, uplink signal 173) using a receiving array 840 (e.g., uplink array, panel array, direct radiation array) and transmit downlink signaling (e.g., forward downlink signaling, return downlink signaling, downlink signal 172, downlink signal 133) using a transmitting array 850 (e.g., downlink array, panel array, direct radiation array). For example, the receiving array 840 can be configured to receive signaling from ground terminals, and the transmitting array 850 can be configured to transmit signaling to ground terminals.

[0212] Satellite 120-f can also support wireless communication with or through other satellites 120 or 180, for example, by using a receiving array 860 (e.g., a cross-link receiving array, panel array, direct radiation array) to receive cross-link signaling (e.g., forward cross-link signaling, return cross-link signaling, cross-link signal 175, signal 183) and using a transmitting array 870 (e.g., a cross-link transmitting array, panel array, direct radiation array) to transmit cross-link signaling (e.g., forward cross-link signaling, return cross-link signaling, cross-link signal 175, signal 183). For example, the receiving array 860 can be configured to receive signaling from other satellites, and the transmitting array 870 can be configured to transmit signaling to other satellites. Compared to satellite 120-c, including additional receiver array 860 and additional transmitter array 870 allows satellite 120-f to transmit crosslink signals with additional degrees of freedom (e.g., for orientation of satellite 120-f, for orientation of beam 125), thereby aligning beam 125 with individual target devices. Therefore, satellite 120-f may include two high-power transmitter arrays. In some examples, satellite 120-f may operate in a power-constrained configuration, where only one of transmitter array 850 or transmitter array 870 is enabled. In various embodiments, such a power-constrained configuration can be a strict configuration of satellite 120-f, in which case both transmitter array 850 and transmitter array 870 are never enabled simultaneously. In some other examples, such a power-constrained configuration may be implemented depending on specific circumstances, such as when satellite 120-f itself is in a low-power mode (e.g., associated with relatively low power provided by one or more solar panels, associated with relatively low energy stored in batteries). In other words, in some examples, satellite 120-f can enable both transmission array 850 and transmission array 870 based on the amount of available power that meets a threshold, which may be based on the power involved in supporting communication via transmission array 850 and transmission array 870.

[0213] Receiver array 840, transmit array 850, receive array 860, and transmit array 870 may be physically arranged (e.g., located, fixed to) satellite 120-f to support efficient communication (e.g., via beam 125) of the beam signal with user terminal 150, gateway terminal 130, and other satellites 120 or 180. For example, receive array 840 and transmit array 850 may both be located on side 815 of satellite 120-f, and receive array 860 and transmit array 870 may be located on different sides (such as sides opposite each other). For example, the receiver array 860 may be located on side 811 of satellite 120-f, and the transmitter array 870 may be located on side 812 of satellite 120-f (e.g., the side of satellite 120-f opposite to the receiver array 860), or on another side of satellite 120-f (e.g., side 813, side 814), which is different from the side including the receiver array 860 (e.g., providing two sides of satellite 120-f for signal reception and two sides of satellite 120-f for signal transmission). In some examples, the receiver array 840 and the transmitter array 850 may be discrete components of antenna elements (e.g., components of the receiver elements are separate from components of the transmitter elements), which can support relatively improved signal isolation and encapsulation, etc. In some other examples, the receiver array 840 and the transmitter array 850 may refer to staggered antenna elements (e.g., receiver and transmitter elements distributed between at least partially overlapping surface areas), or may be implemented as a single array that simultaneously implements antenna elements for reception and transmission (e.g., as transceiver elements).

[0214] To support communication with ground segment 101 using receiver array 840, transmitter array 850, or both, satellite 120-f can be oriented such that its side 815 (e.g., nominal orientation of side 815, axis of side 815, positive z-direction of satellite 120-f) is aligned with the Earth (e.g., aligned with the service area, aligned with the location of the service area). Additionally or alternatively, to support signal reception from another satellite 120 or satellite 180 using receiver array 860, satellite 120-f can be oriented such that its side 811 is substantially aligned with the other satellite 120 or satellite 180 (e.g., within the scanning range of the beamformer of receiver array 860). Additionally or alternatively, to support signal transmission to another satellite 120 or satellite 180 using transmitter array 870, satellite 120-f can be oriented such that its side 812 is substantially aligned with the other satellite 120 or satellite 180 (e.g., within the scanning range of the beamformer of transmitter array 870). Such orientations can be configured based on one or more types of relays supported by satellite 120-f at a given time.

[0215] Receiver array 840, transmitter array 850, receiver array 860, and transmitter array 870 can each be associated with an axis (e.g., nominal axis, line of sight, line of sight direction, outward direction), which can be the nominal direction of the respective array. In some examples, such a nominal direction can be associated with the peak gain capability direction of the array (e.g., maximum radiated power direction, maximum receiver sensitivity direction, minimum distortion direction). For example, receiver array 840 can be associated with axis 845, and transmitter array 850 can be associated with axis 855, each of these axes can be aligned along the positive z-direction from satellite 120-f (e.g., along a direction fixed relative to the main body portion 810, along a direction from the side 815, along a parallel direction). Therefore, aligning receiver array 840, transmitter array 850, or both with a target can be associated with orienting satellite 120-f such that the positive z-direction is aligned with the target. Furthermore, the receiving array 860 may be associated with axis 865, which may be aligned along the positive x-direction of satellite 120-f (e.g., a direction perpendicular to or otherwise different from axis 845, a direction perpendicular to or otherwise different from axis 855, or a direction different from both axes 845 and 855). In some embodiments, aligning the receiving array 860 with a target (e.g., a second target along a second target direction) may additionally or alternatively be associated with aligning satellite 120-f such that the positive x-direction is aligned with the target. Additionally, the transmitting array 870 may be associated with axis 875, which may be aligned along the negative x-direction of satellite 120-f (e.g., a direction perpendicular to or otherwise different from axis 845, a direction perpendicular to or otherwise different from axis 855, a direction different from both axes 845 and 855, or a direction opposite to or otherwise different from axis 865). In some implementations, aligning the transmission array 870 with a target (e.g., a third target along a third target direction) may additionally or alternatively be associated with aligning the satellite 120-f with the negative x-direction aligned with the target.

[0216] Therefore, satellite 120-f demonstrates an example in which the receiving array 840 (e.g., axis 845) and the transmitting array 850 (e.g., axis 845) can be oriented along one direction, the receiving array 860 (e.g., axis 865) can be oriented along different directions, and the transmitting array 870 (e.g., axis 875) can be oriented along different directions, thus providing another flexibility for the orientation of beam 125. Although in the example of satellite 120-f, the direction of axis 865 is separated from the directions of axes 845 and 855 by 90 degrees (e.g., in the vertical plane), in some other examples according to the described technology, the direction of axis 865 can be separated from the directions of axes 845 and 855 by different angles, such as 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 120 degrees, 135 degrees, etc. (e.g., as a fixed separation angle between arrays). Furthermore, although in the example of satellite 120-f, the direction of axis 875 is separated from the direction of axis 865 by 180 degrees (e.g., pointing in opposite directions), in some other examples according to the described technique, the direction of axis 875 may be separated from the direction of axis 865 at different angles, such as 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 120 degrees, 135 degrees, etc. (e.g., as a fixed separation angle between arrays). Such techniques can be supported by the surfaces of satellite 120 or fixed arrays of antenna elements that are not flat, such as arrays with one or more curved arrays or other shapes associated with axes 845, 855, 865, and 875 in other ways (e.g., for satellite 120 with one or more curved surfaces, such as cylindrical or spherical surfaces). Furthermore, although in the example of satellite 120-f, axes 845 and 855 are parallel, in some other examples, the directions of axes 845 and 855 may be separated by a fixed angle, such as 10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, or some other fixed angle (e.g., between outward directions on the sides of satellite 120, between the nominal directions of the curved array of satellite 120).

[0217] In some examples, the receiving array 840 and the transmitting array 850 may have similar cross-sectional areas or the same number of antenna elements, or both. In some other examples, one of the receiving array 840 or the transmitting array 850 may be relatively larger than the other, or may have a relatively larger number of antenna elements, or a combination thereof. For example, the receiving array 840 may be configured to receive signals in a first frequency range, and the transmitting array 850 may be configured to transmit signals in a second frequency range that does not overlap with the first frequency range. In some examples, the receiving array 860 may be configured to receive signals in a third frequency range that does not overlap with the first and second frequency ranges, and the transmitting array 870 may be configured to transmit signals in the third frequency range.

[0218] In an example where the first frequency range is relatively higher than the second frequency range, the receiving array 840 may be relatively smaller than the transmitting array 850, which may be associated with a relatively shorter wavelength at a relatively higher frequency. Similarly, in an example where the third frequency range is between the first and second frequency ranges, the size of the receiving array 860, the transmitting array 870, or both may be between the receiving array 840 and the transmitting array 850. However, in various other embodiments, such relative sizes or numbers of antenna elements may vary among the receiving array 840, transmitting array 850, receiving array 860, and transmitting array 870 or otherwise differ (e.g., depending on the relative frequencies supported by the respective arrays). Additionally or alternatively, the relative size or number of antenna elements may be balanced among receiver array 840, transmitter array 850, receiver array 860, and receiver array 870 based on other criteria, such as link balancing or biasing via satellite 120-f (e.g., balancing performance characteristics between forward link communication and return link communication, biasing performance characteristics to support relatively high forward link throughput, balancing performance characteristics between gateway terminals and user terminals, such as related antenna characteristics).

[0219] In some examples, the receiver array 840, the transmitter array 850, or both may have triangular cross-sections. For example, when sharing the surface of satellite 120-f, dividing the surface area of ​​that surface into triangles can support more uniform beamforming characteristics for the receiver array 840 and the transmitter array 850 than if the surface area were divided into adjacent rectangles or other shapes. In some other examples, the area of ​​the shared surface of satellite 120-f may be divided into rectangular cross-sections or other shapes for the receiver array 840 and the transmitter array 850, and in operation, satellite 120-f may be rotated so that any beamforming or other signaling asymmetry can be advantageously aligned along a specific direction of rotation. For example, the relatively longer dimensions of the receiver array 840 or the transmitter array 850 may be aligned along a specific direction, such as the separation direction between beams 125, which can reduce beamforming scan loss at angles relative to axes 845 and 855 or relative to the z-direction of satellite 120-f.

[0220] The receiving system of satellite 120-f (e.g., a receiving antenna system, an uplink antenna system, a receiving system including receiving array 840, a crosslink receiving antenna system, a receiving system including receiving array 860) can support receiving beam signals (e.g., uplink signal 132, uplink signal 173, crosslink signal 175, signal 183, via beam 125) from one or more target devices (such as one or more user terminals 150, one or more gateway terminals 130, another satellite 120, satellite 180, or combinations thereof). For example, receiving array 840 may include one or more receiving elements (e.g., receiving antenna elements, receiving feed elements) located on side 815, which are configured to receive signaling from the target device, and receiving array 860 may include one or more receiving elements located on side 811, which are configured to receive signaling from the target device.

[0221] In some implementations, the receiving elements of the receiving array 840 may support the reception of corresponding component signals associated with different polarizations, and may be associated with or may include corresponding ports configured for component signals associated with a specific polarization (e.g., one or more ports, corresponding input ports, corresponding output ports). For example, a set of receiving elements of the receiving array 840 may receive a first component signal (e.g., an electromagnetic component signal) of a first received beam signal, each first component signal having a first polarization. The received first component signal may be converted (e.g., converted to an electrical signal, converted to an electrical component signal) and output using a set of first antenna element ports (e.g., output ports). Thus, at least some of the receiving elements may receive a portion or component of the first received beam signal and may output an associated electrical signal (e.g., to a first received beamforming network corresponding to the first polarization) from a corresponding first port. In some examples, a set of receiving elements may also receive a second component signal of a second received beam signal, each second component signal having a second polarization (e.g., different from the first polarization, orthogonal to the first polarization). The received second component signal may be converted and output using a set of second antenna element ports. Therefore, at least some of the receiving elements can also receive a portion or component of the second receiving beam signal and can output the relevant electrical signal from the corresponding second port (e.g., to the second receiving beamforming network corresponding to the second polarization).

[0222] In some implementations, the receiving elements of the receiving array 860 may support the reception of a corresponding component signal associated with a cross-link polarization (e.g., a single polarization of a signal received from another satellite 120 or from satellite 180), which may be the same as one of a first polarization, a second polarization, or a different type of polarization associated with the receiving elements of the receiving array 840. For example, a set of receiving elements of the receiving array 860 may receive a third component signal of a third receive beam signal, each third component signal having a cross-link polarization. In some other examples, the cross-link signaling supported by satellite 120-f may be non-polarized. The received third component signal may be converted and output using a set of third antenna element ports (e.g., output ports). Thus, at least some of the receiving elements of the receiving array 860 may receive a portion or component of the third receive beam signal and may output associated electrical signals (e.g., to a third receive beamforming network corresponding to the cross-link polarization or its absence) from the corresponding third ports.

[0223] In some examples, the receiver array 840 can be configured to receive signaling according to a first polarization associated with forward link communication and signaling according to a second polarization associated with return link communication, in which case the first polarization may be orthogonal to the second polarization. For example, the first polarization may be an example of LHCP and the second polarization may be an example of RHCP. Additionally or alternatively, the first and second polarizations may be linearly polarized, such as the first polarization having vertical polarization and the second polarization having horizontal polarization. The cross-link polarization supported by the receiver array 860 may be LHCP, RHCP, vertical polarization, or horizontal polarization.

[0224] One or more receiving systems of satellite 120-f may include one or more beamforming networks configured to support directional reception relative to axis 845 via receiving array 840 (e.g., via multiple antenna elements of receiving array 840), or to support directional reception relative to axis 865 via receiving array 860 (e.g., via multiple antenna elements of receiving array 860). For example, such beamforming networks of one or more receiving systems may each be configured to output one or more beam signals using component signals from a set of receiving elements from receiving array 840 or a set of receiving elements from receiving array 860 according to a respective beam 125 (e.g., a receiving beam).

[0225] In some embodiments, one or more receiving systems of satellite 120-f may include a first beamforming network coupled to the output of a set of first antenna element ports (e.g., associated with receiver array 840), which may receive a set of first component signals (e.g., forward link component signals) from the set of first antenna element ports. The first beamforming network may output a single beam signal (e.g., a forward link beam signal) associated with a first polarization to, for example, a transponder (e.g., to a forward link transponder, to a forward link signal path, to a portion of a transponder system) that may route the beam signal to a transmission system, such as a transmission system including transmission arrays 850 and 870. In some embodiments, one or more receiving systems may also include a second beamforming network coupled to the output of a set of second antenna element ports (e.g., associated with receiver array 840), which may receive a set of second component signals (e.g., return link component signals) from the set of second ports. The second beamforming network can output a single beam signal associated with the second polarization (e.g., a return link beam signal) to, for example, a transponder (e.g., to a return link transponder, to a return link signal path, to a portion of the transponder system), which can route the beam signal to the transmission system. In some embodiments, the receiving system may also include a third beamforming network coupled to the output of a set of third antenna element ports (e.g., associated with the receiving array 860), which can receive a set of third component signals (e.g., cross-link component signals) from the set of third ports. The third beamforming network can output a single beam signal associated with the cross-link polarization (e.g., a cross-link beam signal) to, for example, a transponder (e.g., to a cross-link signal path, to a portion of the transponder system), which can route the beam signal to the transmission system.

[0226] The transmission system of satellite 120-f (e.g., a transmission antenna system, a downlink antenna system, a transmission system including transmission array 850, a cross-link transmission antenna system, and a transmission system including transmission array 870) can support the transmission of beam signals (e.g., downlink signal 133, downlink signal 172, cross-link signal 175, signal 183, via beam 125) to one or more target devices (such as one or more user terminals 150, one or more gateway terminals 130, another satellite 120, satellite 180, or combinations thereof). For example, transmission array 850 may include one or more transmission elements (e.g., transmission antenna elements, transmission feed elements) located on side 815, which are configured to transmit signaling to the target device, and transmission array 870 may include one or more transmission elements located on side 812, which are configured to transmit signaling from the target device. The transmission antenna elements may include physical transducers that convert electrical signals (e.g., electrical component signals) into electromagnetic signals (e.g., electromagnetic component signals).

[0227] The transmission system of satellite 120-f may include one or more beamforming networks (e.g., transmission beamforming networks) configured to support directional transmission relative to axis 855 via transmission array 850 (e.g., via multiple antenna elements of transmission array 850), or to support directional transmission relative to axis 875 via transmission array 870 (e.g., via transmission array 870). For example, such beamforming networks of the transmission system may each be configured to transmit one or more beam signals according to a respective beam 125 (e.g., transmission beam) using component signals output to a set of transmission elements to transmission array 850 or output to a set of transmission elements to transmission array 870.

[0228] In some embodiments, the transmission system may include a first beamforming network coupled to the input of a set of first antenna element ports (e.g., of transmission array 850). The first beamforming network may receive, for example, a single beam signal (e.g., a transmit beam signal, a forward link beam signal) associated with a first polarization from a transponder (which may route beam signals from one or more receiving systems including receive array 840 and receive array 860). The first beamforming network may output a set of first component signals (e.g., forward link component signals) to a set of first antenna element ports for transmitting a single beam 125 associated with the first polarization. In some embodiments, the transmission system may also include a second beamforming network coupled to the input of a set of second antenna element ports (e.g., of transmission array 850). The second beamforming network may receive, for example, a single beam signal (e.g., a return link beam signal) associated with a second polarization from a transponder (which may route beam signals from one or more receiving systems). The second beamforming network can output a set of second component signals (e.g., return link component signals) to a set of second antenna element ports for transmitting a single beam 125 associated with a second polarization. In some embodiments, the transmission system may also include a third beamforming network coupled to the input of a set of third antenna element ports (e.g., of the transmission array 870). The third beamforming network can receive a single beam signal (e.g., a cross-link beam signal) (e.g., from a transponder that can route beam signals from one or more receiving systems). The third beamforming network can output a set of third component signals (e.g., cross-link component signals) to a set of third antenna element ports for transmitting a single beam 125 (e.g., associated with a cross-link polarization or its absence).

[0229] In some implementations, the transmission elements of the transmission array 850 may support the transmission of corresponding component signals associated with different polarizations, and may be associated with or may include corresponding ports configured for component signals associated with a specific polarization (e.g., corresponding input ports, corresponding output ports). For example, a set of transmission elements may use a set of first antenna element ports (e.g., input ports) to receive a first component signal (e.g., an electrical component signal from a first transmission beamforming network corresponding to a first polarization) of a first transmission beam signal (e.g., a forward link beam signal), and the first component signal may be converted by the transmission elements into an electromagnetic signal (e.g., an electromagnetic component signal) that is transmitted by the transmission elements according to the first polarization. Thus, at least some of the transmission elements may receive a portion or component of the first transmission beam signal and may transmit associated electromagnetic signals with the first polarization. In some examples, a set of transmission elements may use a set of second antenna element ports (e.g., input ports) to receive a second component signal (e.g., from a second transmission beamforming network corresponding to a second polarization) of a second transmission beam signal (e.g., a return link beam signal), and the second component signal may be converted by the transmission elements into an electromagnetic signal that is transmitted by the transmission elements according to the second polarization. Therefore, some of the transmission elements may also receive a portion or component of the second transmission beam signal and may transmit associated electromagnetic signals having a second polarization (e.g., different from the first polarization, orthogonal to the first polarization).

[0230] In some examples, the transport array 850 may transmit signaling according to a first polarization associated with forward link communication (e.g., signaling to user terminal 150) and a second polarization associated with return link communication (e.g., signaling to gateway terminal 130), in which case the first polarization may be orthogonal to the second polarization. For example, the first polarization may be an example of LHCP, and the second polarization may be an example of RHCP. Additionally or alternatively, the first and second polarizations may be linearly polarized, such as the first polarization having vertical polarization and the second polarization having horizontal polarization. In some implementations, the transport array 850 may implement the same polarization as the receiving array 840 for forward communication (e.g., implementing LHCP for the forward link) and the same polarization as the receiving array 840 for return communication (e.g., implementing RHCP for the return link). In some other implementations, the transport array 850 may implement a different polarization than the receiving array 840 or the receiving array 860, or both, for forward communication or for return communication, or both. In various examples, the transmission array 870 can transmit cross-link signaling based on cross-link polarization or without polarization.

[0231] In some implementations, satellite 120-f may include additional components to support wireless communication with gateway terminal 130, user terminal 150, other satellites 120 or 180, and other devices. For example, satellite 120-f may include patch antenna 884 (e.g., an S-band patch antenna), omnidirectional antenna 882 (e.g., an omnidirectional antenna), or both, which may support communication (e.g., transmission control signaling, reception control signaling) within a limited frequency range (e.g., between 2 GHz and 4 GHz, not overlapping with or otherwise different from receive array 840, transmit array 850, receive array 860, and transmit array 870). In some examples, one or more of these antennas may transmit control signaling (e.g., via a control band), such as scheduling information, orbit adjustment information, etc. Additionally or alternatively, patch antenna 884, omnidirectional antenna 882, or both may support transmitting or receiving signal 182, receiving uplink signal 132, receiving uplink signal 173, transmitting downlink signal 133, transmitting downlink signal 172, transmitting or receiving crosslink signal 175, or any combination thereof, etc. In some examples, patch antenna 884, omnidirectional antenna 882, or both may be located on a side of satellite 120-f that is different from the receiving array 840 and transmitting array 850, such as side 511 or side 516 (e.g., opposite to the receiving array 840 and transmitting array 850).

[0232] In some implementations, satellite 120-f may include a tracking system 880 (e.g., a star tracker) to support the detection of telemetry information of satellite 120-f. For example, tracking system 880 may measure the position of a star or other object to determine the position of satellite 120-f, the velocity of satellite 120-f, the orientation of satellite 120-f, or any combination thereof. In some examples, satellite 120-f may use the characteristics of satellite 120-f determined by tracking system 880 to determine or calculate orbital path or other telemetry information, and may transmit telemetry information (e.g., using telemetry beacons), or may use telemetry information to control the orientation of satellite 120-f (e.g., using an angular momentum system) or determine the corresponding direction of one or more beams 125, among other implementations.

[0233] In some implementations, satellite 120-f may include one or more components that support control of the orbital parameters of satellite 120-f. For example, satellite 120-f may include one or more thrusters 886, which in some examples may be located on a side of satellite 120-f different from the receiver array 840, transmitter array 850, receiver array 860, and transmitter array 870 (e.g., side 816), or on one or more other sides. Thrusters 886 are operable to modify the orbital path of satellite 120-f. Additionally or alternatively, satellite 120-f may include an angular momentum system (e.g., internal to satellite 120-f, not shown) operable to orient (e.g., rotate) satellite 120-f about one or more axes (e.g., to align one or more sides of satellite 120-f along one or more target directions, or to align axes 845, 855, 865, 875, or combinations thereof along one or more target directions).

[0234] Satellite 120-f may include a control system that supports various operations of satellite 120-f. For example, such a control system may be configured for aspects of directional reception, directional transmission, or both, such as modifying beam weights or beam hopping at one or more beamforming networks of the receiving system, the transmitting system, or both. Additionally or alternatively, such a control system may be configured to modify the orbital characteristics of satellite 120-f (e.g., in coordination with enabling transponder signal paths and configuring beamforming parameters), such as modifying the alignment of satellite 120-f (e.g., using the angular momentum system of satellite 120-f to perform body turning of the satellite to align the satellite surface (such as side 815, side 811, or side 812) or antenna system (such as axis 845, 855, 865, or 875) in various directions), or changing the orbital path itself (e.g., using thruster 886 to change the altitude of satellite 120-f, or reorienting the orbital path of satellite 120-f). In various implementations, such a control system may operate based on configuration at satellite 120-f (e.g., pre-configuration, hardware configuration, software configuration), based on signaling received at satellite 120-f (e.g., command signaling, parameter signaling, instructions, from the network controller, from the terminal, via signal 132, via signal 173, via signal 183, via receiver array 840, via patch antenna 884, via omnidirectional antenna 882), based on detection at satellite 120-f (e.g., sensor measurements, communication measurements, detection of characteristics of satellite 120-f, detection of signal quality characteristics, detection of characteristics of communication relayed by satellite 120-f, detection of environmental characteristics), or any combination thereof.

[0235] While in some examples the receiver array 840 and transmitter array 850 may be configured to communicate with a terminal on the ground segment, they may additionally or alternatively be configured to communicate with or via another satellite, such as another satellite 120 or another satellite 180. For example, to support aspects of a GEO link, satellite 120-f may support wireless communication by receiving signal 183 using receiver array 240 or transmitting signal 183 using transmitter array 250, or both (e.g., via a corresponding beam 125). In some examples, such technology may be supported by aligning the positive z-axis of satellite 120-f with satellite 180 (e.g., a geostationary satellite, for at least a portion of the orbital path of satellite 120-f).

[0236] Figure 9 An example of a payload 900 supporting a technology for an NGSO satellite communication system, as disclosed herein, is shown. The payload 900 can be implemented in satellite 120, such as reference... Figure 8A and Figure 8B The satellite 120-f is described above. For example, payload 900 may include receiving system 905 (e.g., receiving subsystem, receiving antenna system), transmission system 915 (e.g., transmission subsystem, transmission antenna system), and transponder system 910 coupled to receiving system 905 and transmission system 915 (e.g., transponder subsystem, set of transponders, set of signal paths, set of beam signal paths). Although receiving system 905, transponder system 910, and transmission system 915 are provided with demonstrative boundaries, their components may be distributed in different ways in other systems or subsystems according to the technology described.

[0237] Payload 900 may support relaying beam signals (e.g., signals associated with one or more beams 125) with or between a terminal of ground segment 101 (e.g., between gateway terminal 130 and user terminal 150), one or more other satellites (e.g., another satellite 120, satellite 180), or both. For example, receiving system 905 may include receiving subsystem 907-a (e.g., uplink subsystem), which may include receiving array 840-a and may include or otherwise couple to ports 906 (e.g., ports 906-a and 906-b, output ports, uplink ports). Receiving array 840-a may include one or more antenna elements (e.g., receiving elements) located on the side of satellite 120 (e.g., side 815). In some examples, receiving subsystem 907-a may be configured for reception within a first frequency range (e.g., uplink frequency range, 81–86 GHz). The receiving subsystem 907-a is operable to acquire and output one or more beam signals (e.g., signals of the corresponding beam 125, uplink beam signals, and receive beam signals) based on component signals received via the antenna elements of the receiving array 840-a via ports 906-a and 906-b.

[0238] The receiving system 905 may also include a receiving subsystem 907-b (e.g., a cross-link receiving subsystem), which may include a receiving array 860-a and may include a port 906-c (e.g., a cross-link port) or otherwise coupled thereto. The receiving array 860-a may include one or more antenna elements (e.g., receiving elements) located on different sides of the satellite 120, such as side 811 (e.g., a side orthogonal to or otherwise different from the receiving array 840-a) or other sides different from the receiving array 840-a. Such a physical arrangement can reduce interference when receiving signals from different target devices along different directions. In some examples, the receiving subsystem 907-b may be configured to receive within a second frequency range (e.g., the cross-link frequency range 61–66 GHz or other frequency ranges that do not overlap with the first frequency range). The receiving subsystem 907-b is operable to acquire and output beam signals (e.g., signals of beam 125, cross-link beam signals, and receive beam signals) based on component signals received via the antenna elements of the receiving array 860-a via port 906-c.

[0239] Transmission system 915 may include transmission subsystem 917-a (e.g., a downlink transmission subsystem), which may include transmission array 850-a and may include or otherwise couple to ports 916 (e.g., ports 916-a and 916-b, input ports, downlink ports). Transmission array 850-a may include one or more antenna elements (e.g., transmission elements) located on the sides of satellite 120 (such as side 815). In some examples, transmission subsystem 917-a may be configured to transmit within a third frequency range (e.g., the downlink frequency range, 71–76 GHz). Transmission subsystem 917-a is operable to obtain (e.g., via ports 916-a and 916-b) and transmit beam signals (e.g., signals of corresponding beam 125, downlink beam signals) based on component signals transmitted via the antenna elements of transmission array 850-a.

[0240] The transmission system 915 may also include a transmission subsystem 917-b (e.g., a cross-link transmission subsystem), which may include a transmission array 870-a and may include or otherwise couple to a port 916-c (e.g., a cross-link port). The transmission array 870-a may include one or more antenna elements (e.g., transmission elements) located on the sides of the satellite 120, such as side 812 (e.g., a side opposite to or otherwise different from the receiving array 860-a)). Such a physical arrangement can be advantageous for relaying cross-link signals along directions different from receiving uplink signals or transmitting downlink signals. In some examples, the transmission subsystem 917-b may be configured for transmission within a second frequency range (e.g., a cross-link frequency range of 61–66 GHz, such that the cross-link frequency range is centered between the uplink and downlink frequency ranges, which can improve isolation between different types of signaling and the hardware supporting such signaling). The transmission subsystem 917-b is operable to obtain (e.g., via port 916-c) and transmit beam signals (e.g., signals of the corresponding beam 125, cross-link beam signals) based on component signals transmitted via antenna elements of the transmission array 870-a.

[0241] A repeater system 910 (e.g., a repeater subsystem, a set of repeaters, a set of signal paths between the receiving system 905 and the transmitting system 915) is operable to couple to and receive one or more beam signals from the receiving system 905 via port 906. For example, the repeater system 910 may include ports 911 (e.g., input ports, ports 911-a and 911-b (which may be uplink ports) and port 911-c (which may be a cross-link port)) operable to couple to corresponding ports 906 of the receiving system 905. In some other examples, the corresponding ports 911 and 906 may be referred to as or equivalent to common ports or nodes. The repeater system 910 is also operable to couple to port 916 of the transmitting system 915 and output one or more beam signals to the transmitting system 915. For example, the repeater system 910 may include ports 912 (e.g., output ports, ports 912-a and 912-b (which may be downlink ports) and port 912-c (which may be a cross-link port)). Link ports 912 and 916 are operable to couple (e.g., in a one-to-one correspondence) to corresponding ports 916 of transmission system 915. In some other examples, corresponding ports 912 and 916 may be referred to as or equivalent to common ports or nodes. Thus, repeater system 910 can be considered to include three ports 911 (e.g., three inputs) coupled to corresponding ports 906 (e.g., three outputs) of receiving system 905, and repeater system 910 can be considered to include three ports 912 (e.g., three outputs) coupled to corresponding ports 916 (e.g., three inputs) of transmission system 915. Thus, repeater system 910 can support various signal paths for coupling its ports 912 with its ports 911 and performing various intermediate signal processing.

[0242] Payload 900 is operable to support different modes (e.g., signaling mode, communication mode, relay mode, signal path mode, signal routing mode, beam signal mode) or combinations of these modes for relaying beam signals. These modes, as well as other operations of satellite 120 including payload 900, can be at least partially controlled (e.g., configuration, coordination, activation) by payload control system 960, which can be coupled at least to receiving system 905, transponder system 910, and transmission system 915 to configure one or more aspects of the respective components. For example, control system 960 can support operations such as managing beamforming networks (e.g., beamforming network 920, beamforming network 940), activating and deactivating the signal path of transponder system 910, and managing satellite alignment (e.g., aligning satellite 120 with a target, changing the orbital path of satellite 120). Control system 960 can include any number of one or more processors, which may include processors co-located within payload 900 or processors distributed throughout payload 900. Any one or more of these processors can be configured (e.g., individually, collectively, via software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof) to enable satellite 120 (e.g., payload 900) to perform the various operations described herein.

[0243] In various modes, payload 900 can support relay return link signals (e.g., signaling from one or more user terminals 150 to gateway terminal 130) or relay forward link signals (e.g., signaling from gateway terminal 130 to one or more user terminals 150), which may include relay cross-link signals (e.g., signaling from another satellite 120 or satellite 180, signaling to another satellite 120 or satellite 180) or combinations thereof. To support such relaying, payload 900 can receive component signals (e.g., return uplink component signals as electromagnetic component signals of uplink signal 173, cross-link component signals as electromagnetic component signals of cross-link signal 175) via antenna elements (e.g., receiving antenna elements) of receiving array 840-a, receiving array 860-a, or both. In some examples, the antenna elements can receive component signals according to polarization, which can be assigned to certain types of communication. For example, a component signal associated with return link signaling may be associated with a first polarization (e.g., RHCP), a component signal associated with forward link signaling may correspond to a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization (e.g., LHCP), and a component signal associated with cross link signaling may correspond to the first polarization, the second polarization, or another polarization, or may be unpolarized. In some examples, if a component signal is associated with return link signaling or forward link signaling, the component signal may be received in a first frequency range (e.g., 81–86 GHz) (e.g., via receiver array 840-a), and if a component signal is associated with cross link signaling, the component signal may be received in a second frequency range (e.g., 61–66 GHz) or another frequency range with the same bandwidth as the first frequency range (e.g., via receiver array 860-a).

[0244] The antenna elements of the receiving array 840-a can output a corresponding first component signal (e.g., an electrical component signal associated with a first polarization) (e.g., via a corresponding output port) to the beamforming network 920-a, and in some examples, output a corresponding second component signal (e.g., associated with a second polarization) to the beamforming network 920-b. In some examples, beamforming networks 920-a and 920-b can be referred to as a single beamforming network 920 of the receiving subsystem 907-a, which is configured to support directional reception of a single corresponding beam 125 of each of the different polarizations supported by the receiving array 840-a. The antenna elements of the receiving array 860-a can output a corresponding component signal to the beamforming network 920-c. For at least some (if not all) of the respective antenna elements, beamforming network 920 may apply gain, phase adjustment, or time adjustment, or any combination thereof, to the component signals according to the beamforming direction (e.g., the direction of the receive beam 125 according to the receive beam weight configured by control system 960) to generate a receive beam signal (e.g., a return link uplink beam signal, a forward link uplink beam signal, or a cross link beam signal) based on the component signals received from the antenna elements.

[0245] Each beamforming network 920 may include outputs 922 (e.g., a single output, output 922-a corresponding to the output of the return link uplink beam signal, input 922-b corresponding to the output of the output of the forward link uplink beam signal, and output 922-c corresponding to the output of the cross-link beam signal), which may be configured to output beam signals to transponder system 910 (e.g., via ports 906-a, 906-b, or 906-c). In some examples, output 922 may be configured to output received beam signals in the same frequency range as the received component signals. In some examples, output 922 may be supported by activating (e.g., via system 960) corresponding amplifiers 965 (e.g., amplifiers 965-a, 965-b, and 965-c).

[0246] The repeater system 910 may include various signal paths between ports 911 and 912. For example, the repeater system 910 may include a first signal path between ports 911-b and 912-b (e.g., for forward uplink to downlink relay), a second signal path between ports 911-c and 912-b (e.g., for forward cross-link to downlink relay), a third signal path between ports 911-b and 912-c (e.g., for forward uplink to cross-link relay), and a fourth signal path between ports 911-c and 912-c (e.g., for cross-link relay). The system includes a link-to-crosslink trunk, a fifth signaling path between port 911-a and port 912-c (e.g., for returning an uplink to a crosslink trunk), a sixth signaling path between port 911-c and port 912-a (e.g., for returning a crosslink to a downlink trunk), and a seventh signaling path between port 911-a and port 912-a (e.g., for returning an uplink to a downlink trunk), at least some of which can be simultaneously supported by the repeater system 910 (e.g., for multi-directional trunking).

[0247] In some examples, the repeater system 910 may include one or more switching elements 926 having an input 927 (e.g., an input port) and an output 928 (e.g., an output port), which are operable to control (e.g., based on configuring the switching elements 926 via the control system 960) the coupling between elements of various signal paths. For example, the repeater system 910 may include a switching element 926-a (e.g., a single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch) that can route a signal from input 927-a to output 928-a-1 or output 928-a-2. The repeater system 910 may also include a switching element 926-b (e.g., an SPDT switch) that can route a signal from input 927-b to output 928-b-1 or output 928-b-2. The repeater system 910 may also include a switching element 926-c (e.g., a double-pole double-throw (DPDT) switch) that can route a signal from input 927-c-1 or input 927-c-2 to output 928-c-1 or output 928-c-2. The repeater system 910 may also include a switching element 926-d (e.g., a single-pole triple-throw (SP3T) switch) that can route a signal from input 927-d to output 928-d-1, output 928-d-2, or output 928-d-3.

[0248] In some examples, the repeater system 910 may include one or more couplers 921 (e.g., signal path connectors) that support the transmission of at least a portion of one or more signals input to coupler 921 through the output of coupler 921 (e.g., providing coupling between components). For example, coupler 921-a may transmit a signal from output 928-d-1, a signal from port 911-a, or both, to frequency converter 925-a (e.g., an uplink to IF frequency converter). Coupler 921-b may transmit a signal from output 928-d-2, a signal from port 911-b, or both, to frequency converter 925-b (e.g., an uplink to IF frequency converter). Coupler 921-c may transmit a signal from output 928-a-2, a signal from output 928-b-2, or both, to frequency converter 936 (e.g., an IF to crosslink frequency converter). Coupler 921-d can transmit a signal from output 928-d-3 or a signal from frequency converter 936, or both, to port 912-c (e.g., via input 942-b to beamforming network 940-b). Coupler 921 may include one or more switches (e.g., operable using control system 960) to support relay signals, or may support signal addition (e.g., summation), or both, etc. In some examples, a signal from a single component coupled to coupler 921 can be transmitted through coupler 921, possibly because one or more other components coupled to coupler 921 are disabled (e.g., deactivated, powered off).

[0249] Each signal path of the transponder system 910 may be coupled to one of the outputs 922 (e.g., directly or via amplifier 965 where applicable) and is operable to receive a received beam signal from the beamforming network 920 (e.g., via port 911). In some embodiments, the transponder system 910 may include one or more frequency converters between ports 911 and 912. For example, the transponder system 910 may down-convert a received beam signal (e.g., an uplink beam signal from the receiving subsystem 907-a) from a first frequency range (e.g., an uplink frequency range, 81–86 GHz) to an IF range to generate an IF signal using frequency converters 925 (e.g., down-frequency converter, frequency converter 925-a, frequency converter 925-b) that receive the received beam signal and convert the frequency of the IF signal to the IF frequency range. In some examples, the IF frequency range may be 11–16 GHz or another frequency range having the same bandwidth as the first frequency range. In some cases, to support such frequency conversion, the frequency converter 925 may receive, for example, from the frequency generator 930 (e.g., from the switching component 926-c, from the input 927-c-2) an oscillator signal having a first oscillator frequency (e.g., 70 GHz, to be converted from the 81–86 GHz range to the 11–16 GHz range), and may output an IF signal whose frequency corresponds to the difference between the frequency of the received beam signal and the first oscillator frequency.

[0250] Additionally or alternatively, the transponder system 910 may downconvert the received beam signal (e.g., the crosslink beam signal from the receiving subsystem 907-b) from a second frequency range (e.g., the crosslink frequency range, 61–66 GHz) to the IF frequency range to generate an IF signal using a frequency converter 925, which receives the second received beam signal and converts the frequency of the second IF signal to the IF frequency range. In some cases, to support such frequency conversion, the frequency converter 925 may receive, for example, an oscillator signal having a second oscillator frequency (e.g., 50 GHz for conversion from the 61–66 GHz range to the 11–16 GHz range) from the frequency generator 930 (e.g., from the switching component 926-c, from the input 927-c-1), and may output a second IF signal with a frequency corresponding to the difference between the frequency of the second received beam signal and the second oscillator frequency.

[0251] In some examples, payload 900 can be considered a processing payload and may include circuitry for processing techniques such as analog-to-digital conversion, demodulation, signal extraction, demultiplexing, multiplexing, signal insertion, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, and other processing techniques. In some such examples, such processing techniques may be implemented on the IF signal between frequency converter 925 and frequency converters 936 and 955. In some other examples, the payload can be considered a non-processing payload (e.g., in a bend-pipe payload configuration), and the IF signal may be forwarded by transponder system 910 without such processing techniques.

[0252] Along various signal paths, the transponder system 910 can also upconvert the IF signal from the IF frequency range to another frequency range, such as the downlink frequency range, to generate a downlink beam signal (e.g., a return link downlink beam signal, a forward link downlink beam signal), or upconvert it to a crosslink frequency range to generate a crosslink beam signal. For example, the transponder system 910 may include frequency converters 935 (e.g., upconverters, frequency converters 935-a and 935-b) that receive the IF signal and convert the frequency of the downlink beam signal to a third frequency range (e.g., the downlink frequency range). In some examples, the fourth frequency range may be 71–76 GHz or another frequency range having the same bandwidth as the first frequency range, the second frequency range, the IF frequency range, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the first and third frequency ranges may not overlap, which can allow various aspects of the receiving system 905 and the transmitting system 915 (e.g., antenna elements, signal processing hardware) to be configured according to different operating frequencies and avoid crosstalk between the transmitting system 915 and the receiving system 905. In some cases, to support such frequency conversion, frequency converter 935 may receive an oscillator signal having a third oscillator frequency (e.g., 60 GHz, to convert from the 11–16 GHz range to the 71–76 GHz range) from frequency generator 930 (e.g., from oscillator 980-a), and may output a downlink beam signal (e.g., via port 912-a or 912-b) with a frequency corresponding to the sum of the frequency of the IF signal and the third oscillator frequency.

[0253] The transponder system 910 may also include a frequency converter 936 that receives an IF signal (e.g., from switching components 926-a or 926-b) and converts the frequency of the crosslink beam signal to a second frequency range (e.g., 61–66 GHz). In some cases, to support such frequency conversion, the frequency converter 936 may, for example, receive an oscillator signal having a second oscillator frequency (e.g., 50 GHz, to convert from the 11–16 GHz range to the 61–66 GHz range) as a frequency generator 930, and may output a crosslink beam signal with a frequency corresponding to the sum of the frequency of the IF signal and the second oscillator frequency.

[0254] Transponder system 910 (e.g., frequency converter 935, frequency converter 936) can output one or more (e.g., one or two) downlink beam signals, or crosslink beam signals, or both, to transmission system 915 (e.g., via one or more ports 912, via one or more ports 916) for output purposes, such as output to beamforming network 940 (e.g., beamforming network 940-a, beamforming network 940-b, beamforming network 940-c, transmission beamformer). Each beamforming network 940 may include input 942 (e.g., a single input) that can be configured to receive beam signals from transponder system 910 (via a corresponding port 916). In some examples, input 942 may be configured to receive downlink beam signals or crosslink beam signals in the same frequency range as the component signals to be transmitted. In some examples, beamforming networks 940-a and 940-b may refer to a single beamforming network 940 of transmission subsystem 917-a, which is configured to support directional transmission of a single corresponding beam 125 of each of the different polarizations supported by transmission array 850-a.

[0255] In some examples, input 942 can be supported by activating the associated amplifier 970. For at least some (if not all) of the antenna elements of transmission array 850-a or transmission array 870-a, beamforming network 940 can apply a corresponding gain, a corresponding phase adjustment, or a corresponding time adjustment, or any combination thereof, to the beam signal to generate component signals (e.g., return link component signals, forward link component signals, cross link component signals) for the antenna elements. Such component signals can be provided to the antenna elements (e.g., to the corresponding first input ports of the antenna elements) such that transmission array 850-a or transmission array 870-a can transmit downlink beam signals or cross link beam signals according to the beamforming direction (e.g., the direction of transmission beam 125, according to the transmission beam weights configured by control system 960).

[0256] Frequency generator 930 can be implemented in various configurations to support frequency converters 925, 935, and 936 (e.g., to output oscillator signals at one or more frequencies). For example, frequency generator 930 can use one or more oscillators 980 (e.g., oscillator circuitry) or a combination of one or more oscillators 980 with one or more frequency converters 975, as well as other configurations, to output one or more oscillator signals. In the example of payload 900, frequency generator 930 can be configured to use two oscillators 980 (e.g., at 60 GHz and 10 GHz) to generate oscillator signals at the next three frequencies (e.g., 70 GHz, 60 GHz, and 50 GHz). For example, oscillator 980-a can be configured to generate an oscillator signal with a third oscillator frequency (e.g., 60 GHz) and output it (e.g., to frequency converters 935-a, 935-b, 975-a, and 975-b). Oscillator 980-b can be configured to generate an oscillator signal with a fourth frequency (e.g., 10 GHz) and output it (e.g., to frequency converters 975-a and 975-b). In some other examples, frequency generator 930 may include three oscillators 980 that directly generate oscillator signals at their respective frequencies for frequency converters 925 and 935 and 936 (e.g., 70 GHz, 60 GHz, and 50 GHz).

[0257] Oscillator 980-b can be used by frequency generator 930 to generate oscillator signals with other frequencies. For example, frequency generator 930 may include frequency converter 975-a, which can generate an oscillator signal having a first oscillator frequency equal to the sum of the frequencies of oscillator 980-a and oscillator 980-b (e.g., 55 GHz, as the sum of the frequencies of the third and fourth oscillators, or as the sum of 60 GHz and 10 GHz), and output it (e.g., to switching member 926-c). Frequency generator 930 may also include frequency converter 975-b, which can generate an oscillator signal having a second oscillator frequency equal to the difference between the frequencies of oscillator 980-a and oscillator 980-b (e.g., 50 GHz, as the difference between the frequencies of the third and fourth oscillators, or as the difference between 60 GHz and 10 GHz), and output it (e.g., to switching member 926-c). However, other configurations of the frequency generator 930 can also be implemented according to the aforementioned technology, such as including a separate oscillator 980 for each oscillator frequency used by the frequency converters 925, 935, or 936 (e.g., omitting the frequency converter 975), and other implementations.

[0258] Payload 900 may include or may implement positioning and steering system 985, which can manage operations related to modifying the orbital characteristics of satellite 120, including payload 900, such as modifying the orbital path of satellite 120 (e.g., velocity along the orbital path, altitude of the orbital path, heading of the orbital path) or the orientation of satellite 120 (e.g., for steering satellite 120 along its orbit, for orienting axis 845 of receiver array 840-a, for orienting axis 855 of transmitter array 850-a, for orienting axis 865 of receiver array 860-a, for orienting axis 875 of receiver array 870-a, for orienting side 815 of satellite 120, for orienting side 811 of satellite 120, for orienting side 812 of satellite 120, or combinations thereof). For example, positioning and steering system 985 may include thruster 886, which is at least partially operated by control system 960 to modify the orbital path 120 of the satellite. Additionally or alternatively, the positioning and steering system 985 may include an angular momentum system, such as a reaction wheel, a CMG, or both. The control system 960 may implement the angular momentum system (e.g., to steer the satellite 120 by converting angular momentum into electrical energy) to adjust the orientation of the satellite 120, for example, to support improved beam signal communication.

[0259] In some cases, payload 900 may receive power from satellite 120 (e.g., from solar element 830), for example, using power system 908 (e.g., a DC-DC power converter). In some cases, power system 908 may include or be coupled to a power storage system (such as an onboard battery). Power system 908 may draw power from the battery to power various aspects of payload 900, may transfer power to the battery, or both. Additionally or alternatively, power system 908 may be coupled to positioning and steering system 985. For example, power system 908 may draw power from an angular momentum system, may transfer power to the angular momentum system, or both (e.g., to apply angular acceleration or deceleration to satellite 120).

[0260] In some cases, the control system 960 may operate based on signaling received from satellite 120. Such signaling may be associated with a frequency band centered on the IF frequency range (e.g., 13.5 GHz). For example, payload 900 may include an operation command receiver 962 that can decode commands (e.g., command messages) received by receiving system 905. In some examples, operation command receiver 962 may decode messages included in the forward uplink beam signal (e.g., commands from gateway terminal 130). For example, a second signal path may include a coupler (not shown) that supports relaying at least a portion of the IF signal to both frequency converter 935-b and operation command receiver 962. The coupler may include one or more switches (e.g., operable using control system 960) to support relaying the IF signal to operation command receiver 962, may support signal addition (e.g., summation), or both, etc. In some cases, the operation command receiver 962 can receive a schedule that includes information such as beam weights (e.g., array beam pointing information of beamforming networks 920 and 940), main body steering maneuver commands, beam skipping information, etc., which can be provided to the control system 960.

[0261] Additionally or alternatively, satellite 120-a may use data link transmitter 967 (e.g., a command transmitter) to transmit signaling to indicate the status of satellite 120. Such signaling may also be associated with a frequency band (e.g., 13.5 GHz) at the center of the IF frequency range. For example, data link transmitter 967 may generate a beacon that includes information such as telemetry, the health status of satellite 120, payload status (e.g., the status of payload 900), or other information. Data link transmitter 967 may transmit the generated beacon signal to a coupler (not shown) that can add the beacon signal to the downlink beam signal. For example, the coupler may include one or more switches or other circuitry that supports the summation of the beacon signal and the IF signal.

[0262] Therefore, payload 900 illustrates an example for supporting communication with receiving system 905, transponder system 910, and transmission system 915, which has specific ports assigned to specific types of communication and thus specific types of signaling characteristics. For example, receiving system 905 (e.g., its subsystem 907) can be configured for uplink frequency ranges (e.g., 81–86 GHz) and crosslink frequency ranges (e.g., 61–66 GHz), and transmission system 915 (e.g., its subsystem) can be configured for downlink frequency ranges (e.g., 71–76 GHz) and crosslink frequency ranges (e.g., 61–66 GHz). Orthogonality between different ports of forward, return, and crosslink communication at receiving system 905 and transmission system 915 can be provided by different frequencies and orthogonal polarization, such as assigning RHCP to return communication and LHCP to forward communication, where crosslink communication can be polarized or non-polarized.

[0263] In some examples, the repeater system 910 may therefore include a single signal path for forward communication between the receiving system 905 and the transmitting system 915, the single signal path including a net frequency transformation from the uplink frequency range to the downlink frequency range and maintaining the forward link polarization; a single signal path for return communication between the receiving system 905 and the transmitting system 915, the single signal path including a net frequency transformation from the uplink frequency range to the downlink frequency range and maintaining the return link polarization association; and a single signal path for cross-link communication between the receiving system 905 and the transmitting system 915, the single signal path omitting the frequency transformation (e.g., maintaining the cross-link frequency range) and maintaining the cross-link polarization or its absence. Payload 900 also illustrates examples of mapping inputs and outputs for various relay and associated signal characteristics between uplink, downlink, and cross-link signaling. Such a configuration can provide an efficient way for one-way or multi-way forward and return signal relay in satellites 120 (e.g., satellite 120-f) including payload 900, including such relays that may involve cross-link signaling with another satellite 120 or satellite 180.

[0264] In some examples, the gains of the forward link repeaters (e.g., between output 922-a and input 942-a), return link repeaters (e.g., between output 922-b and input 942-b), and cross-link repeaters (e.g., between output 922-c and input 942-c) ...

Claims

1. A satellite (120) configured to support communication services between a plurality of gateway terminals (130) and a plurality of user terminals (150), the satellite comprising: An uplink receiving subsystem (907) includes a first antenna (840), a first uplink port (906), and a second uplink port (906). The uplink receiving subsystem is operable to: A first uplink beam signal (132, 173) associated with a first uplink component signal received via the first antenna is output via the first uplink port. A second uplink beam signal (132, 173) associated with the second uplink component signal received via the first antenna is output via the second uplink port; or Simultaneously output both the first uplink beam signal and the second uplink beam signal. The first uplink beam signal and the second uplink beam signal are associated with a first frequency range having a first bandwidth; A downlink transmission subsystem (917), comprising a second antenna (850), a first downlink port (916), and a second downlink port (916), the downlink transmission subsystem being operable to: The first downlink beam signal (133, 172) obtained at the first downlink port is transmitted via the second antenna. The second downlink beam signal (133, 172) obtained at the second downlink port is transmitted via the second antenna; or Simultaneously transmitting both the first downlink beam signal and the second downlink beam signal. The first downlink beam signal and the second downlink beam signal are associated with a second frequency range having the first bandwidth; A cross-link receiving subsystem (907) includes a third antenna (860) operable to output a first cross-link beam signal (175, 183) associated with a first cross-link component signal received via the third antenna via a first cross-link port (906), wherein the first cross-link beam signal is associated with a third frequency range having the first bandwidth. A cross-link transmission subsystem (917) includes a fourth antenna (870) operable to transmit via the fourth antenna a second cross-link beam signal (175, 183) obtained at a second cross-link port (916), wherein the second cross-link beam signal is associated with the third frequency range. as well as Repeater subsystem (910), the repeater subsystem comprising: A frequency generator (930) operable to generate a first oscillator signal, a second oscillator signal and a third oscillator signal from two oscillator circuits (980); A first frequency converter (925) is operable to output a first IF signal in an intermediate frequency (IF) range by downconverting the first uplink beam signal using the first oscillator signal or by downconverting the first crosslink beam signal using the third oscillator signal, wherein the IF frequency range has the first bandwidth. A second frequency converter (925) is operable to generate a second IF signal within the IF frequency range by downconverting the second uplink beam signal using the first oscillator signal or by downconverting the first crosslink beam signal using the third oscillator signal. A third frequency converter (935) is operable to generate the first downlink beam signal by upconverting the first IF signal to the second frequency range using the second oscillator signal. A fourth frequency converter (935) is operable to generate the second downlink beam signal by upconverting the second IF signal to the second frequency range using the second oscillator signal; A fifth frequency converter (936) operable to upconvert the first IF signal or the second IF signal to the third frequency range using the third oscillator signal to obtain a transfer signal; and A first coupler (921) is operable to output a second crosslink beam signal based at least in part on the transfer signal or the first crosslink beam signal.

2. The satellite according to claim 1, wherein the difference between the frequency of the first oscillator signal and the frequency of the second oscillator signal is the same as the difference between the frequency of the second oscillator signal and the frequency of the third oscillator signal.

3. The satellite according to claim 1, wherein: The two oscillator circuits are configured to generate the second oscillator signal and the fourth oscillator signal, respectively; and The frequency generator is configured to generate the first oscillator signal and the third oscillator signal from corresponding functions of the second oscillator signal and the fourth oscillator signal.

4. The satellite according to claim 1, wherein the satellite further comprises: Command receiver (962), the command receiver being configured to decode command messages from the first IF signal.

5. The satellite according to claim 4, wherein the frequency range of the command message includes the center band of the IF frequency range.

6. The satellite according to claim 5, wherein the satellite further comprises: Command transmitter (967), the command transmitter being configured to generate a beacon signal within the frequency band of the IF frequency range; as well as A summing circuit (329) is configured to sum the beacon signal with the second IF signal.

7. The satellite according to claim 6, wherein the frequency band includes the center band of the IF frequency range.

8. The satellite according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna includes a first plurality of antenna elements, and the second antenna includes a second plurality of antenna elements.

9. The satellite of claim 8, wherein the third antenna comprises a third plurality of antenna elements, and the fourth antenna comprises a fourth plurality of antenna elements.

10. The satellite according to claim 1, wherein: The uplink receiving subsystem is operable to receive the first uplink component signal via the first antenna according to a first polarization and to receive the second uplink component signal via the first antenna according to a second polarization; and The downlink transmission subsystem is operable to transmit the first downlink beam signal via the second antenna according to one of the first polarization or the second polarization, and to transmit the second downlink beam signal via the second antenna according to the other of the first polarization or the second polarization.

11. A method for communicating via a satellite (120), the method comprising: The satellite is configured for the forward uplink to downlink relay configuration, wherein the satellite is configured as follows: A first uplink component signal associated with a first uplink beam signal (132) is received via the first antenna (840) of the uplink receiving subsystem (907) of the satellite, according to a first frequency range having a bandwidth; Based at least in part on receiving the first uplink component signal, the first uplink beam signal is output via the first uplink port (906) of the uplink receiving subsystem; The first IF signal is generated at least in part based on downconverting the first uplink beam signal from the first frequency range to an intermediate frequency (IF) range having the bandwidth via a first frequency converter (925). The first downlink beam signal (172) is generated at least in part based on upconverting the first IF signal from the IF frequency range to a second frequency range having the bandwidth via a second frequency converter (935). as well as The first downlink beam signal is obtained at least in part based on the first downlink port (916) of the downlink transmission subsystem (917) of the satellite, and the first downlink component signal associated with the first downlink beam signal is transmitted via the second antenna (860) of the downlink transmission subsystem. as well as The satellite is configured for the forward cross-link to downlink relay configuration, wherein the satellite is configured as follows: The first crosslink component signal associated with the first crosslink beam signal (175, 183) is received via the third antenna (860) of the crosslink receiving subsystem (907) of the satellite according to the third frequency range having the bandwidth. Based at least in part on receiving the first cross-link component signal, the first cross-link beam signal is output via the first cross-link port (906) of the cross-link receiving subsystem; The second IF signal is generated at least in part based on downconverting the first crosslink beam signal from the third frequency range to the intermediate frequency (IF) range via the first frequency converter. The second downlink beam signal (172) is generated at least in part based on upconverting the second IF signal from the IF frequency range to the second frequency range via the second frequency converter. as well as The second downlink beam signal is obtained at least in part based on the first downlink port of the downlink transmission subsystem, and the second downlink component signal associated with the second downlink beam signal is transmitted via the second antenna.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: For the aforementioned forward uplink to downlink relay configuration, the satellite is configured as follows: A first oscillator signal with a first frequency is output from the frequency generator (930) of the satellite to the first frequency converter; as well as At the first frequency converter, the first uplink beam signal is down-converted from the first frequency range to the IF frequency range, at least in part, based on the first oscillator signal; and For the aforementioned forward cross-link to downlink relay configuration, the satellite is configured as follows: A second oscillator signal with a second frequency is output from the frequency generator to the first frequency converter; as well as At the first frequency converter, the first crosslink beam signal is downconverted from the third frequency range to the IF frequency range, at least in part, based on the second oscillator signal.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: For the aforementioned forward uplink to downlink relay configuration, the satellite is configured as follows: At the frequency generator, the first oscillator signal having the first frequency is generated at least in part based on the sum of the third frequency of the third oscillator signal from the first oscillator (980) and the fourth frequency of the fourth oscillator signal from the second oscillator (980). and For the aforementioned forward cross-link to downlink relay configuration, the satellite is configured as follows: At the frequency generator, a second oscillator signal having the second frequency is generated, at least in part, based on the difference between the third frequency of the third oscillator signal from the first oscillator and the fourth frequency of the fourth oscillator signal from the second oscillator.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein: For the aforementioned forward uplink to downlink relay configuration, the satellite is configured as follows: At the second frequency converter, the first IF signal is up-converted from the IF frequency range to the second frequency range, at least in part, based on the third oscillator signal; and For the aforementioned forward cross-link to downlink relay configuration, the satellite is configured as follows: At the second frequency converter, the second IF signal is converted from the IF frequency range to the second frequency range, at least in part, based on the third oscillator signal.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, the method further comprising: The satellite is configured for the forward uplink to cross-link relay configuration, wherein the satellite is configured as follows: According to the first frequency range, the second uplink component signal associated with the second uplink beam signal (132) is received via the first antenna of the uplink receiving subsystem; At least in part based on receiving the second uplink component signal, the second uplink beam signal is output via the first uplink port of the uplink receiving subsystem; At least in part, it is based on downconverting the second uplink beam signal from the first frequency range to the IF frequency range via the first frequency converter to generate a third IF signal; At least in part, the second crosslink beam signal (175, 183) is generated by upconverting the third IF signal from the IF frequency range to the third frequency range via a third frequency converter (936); and The second crosslink beam signal is obtained at least in part based on the second crosslink port (916) of the crosslink transmission subsystem (917) of the satellite, and the second crosslink component signal associated with the second crosslink beam signal is transmitted via the fourth antenna (870) of the crosslink transmission subsystem.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, the method further comprising: The satellite is configured for a cross-link to cross-link relay configuration, wherein the satellite is configured as follows: According to the third frequency range, the third cross-link component signal associated with the third cross-link beam signal (175, 183) is received via the third antenna of the cross-link receiving subsystem. The third cross-link beam signal is output via the first cross-link port of the cross-link receiving subsystem, based at least in part on the receipt of the third cross-link component signal. The fourth cross-link beam signal (175, 183) is generated at least in part based on the third cross-link beam signal; and The fourth cross-link beam signal is obtained at least in part based on the second cross-link port (916) of the cross-link transmission subsystem, and the fourth cross-link component signal associated with the fourth cross-link beam signal is transmitted via the fourth antenna of the cross-link transmission subsystem.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, the method further comprising: The satellite is configured for the Return Uplink to Cross-Link Relay configuration, wherein the satellite is configured as follows: According to the first frequency range, the third uplink component signal associated with the third uplink beam signal (173) is received via the first antenna of the uplink receiving subsystem; The third uplink beam signal is output via the second uplink port (606) of the uplink receiving subsystem, at least in part based on the receipt of the third uplink component signal; At least in part, the fifth IF signal is generated by downconverting the third uplink beam signal from the first frequency range to the IF frequency range via a fourth frequency converter. At least in part, the fifth crosslink beam signal (175, 183) is generated by upconverting the fifth IF signal from the IF frequency range to the third frequency range via a third frequency converter (936); and The fifth crosslink beam signal is obtained at least in part based on the second crosslink port (916) of the crosslink transmission subsystem, and the fifth crosslink component signal associated with the fifth crosslink beam signal is transmitted via the fourth antenna (870) of the crosslink transmission subsystem (917) of the satellite.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, the method further comprising: The satellite is configured for the return crosslink to downlink relay configuration, wherein the satellite is configured as follows: According to the third frequency range, the sixth cross-link component signal associated with the sixth cross-link beam signal (175, 183) is received via the third antenna of the cross-link receiving subsystem. The sixth cross-link beam signal is output via the first cross-link port of the cross-link receiving subsystem, based at least in part on the receipt of the sixth cross-link component signal. The sixth IF signal is generated at least in part by downconverting the sixth crosslink beam signal from the third frequency range to the IF frequency range via the fourth frequency converter (925). At least in part, the third downlink beam signal is generated by upconverting the sixth IF signal from the IF frequency range to the second frequency range via the fifth frequency converter. as well as The third downlink beam signal is obtained at least in part based on the second downlink port of the downlink transmission subsystem, and the third downlink component signal associated with the third downlink beam signal is transmitted via the second antenna.

19. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, the method further comprising: The satellite is configured for the uplink-to-downlink relay configuration, wherein the satellite is configured as follows: According to the first frequency range, the fourth uplink component signal associated with the fourth uplink beam signal (173) is received via the first antenna of the uplink receiving subsystem of the satellite. The fourth uplink beam signal is output via the second uplink port (906) of the uplink receiving subsystem, based at least in part on the receipt of the fourth uplink component signal; At least in part, the seventh IF signal is generated by downconverting the fourth uplink beam signal from the first frequency range to the IF frequency range via the fourth frequency converter (925). At least in part, the fourth downlink beam signal (133) is generated by upconverting the seventh IF signal from the IF frequency range to the second frequency range via the fifth frequency converter (935); and The fourth downlink beam signal is obtained at least in part based on the second downlink port (916) of the downlink transmission subsystem, and the fourth downlink component signal associated with the fourth downlink beam signal is transmitted via the second antenna of the downlink transmission subsystem.

20. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, the method further comprising: Decode one or more command messages from the first IF signal, the second IF signal, or both at the command receiver (962) of the satellite.

21. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 20, the method further comprising: A beacon signal within the frequency band of the IF frequency range is generated at the command transmitter (967) of the satellite; as well as The beacon signal is inserted into the first IF signal, the second IF signal, or both.

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