Non-geostationary orbit satellite communication system payload

Abstract

A satellite in a communication system may be equipped with: an antenna system including various configurations of an antenna array on one or more sides of the satellite to receive and transmit 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 transmitting ports. Such antenna arrays may be configured to support directional reception, directional transmission, or both, and the repeater system may perform 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 transponder system may include various signal paths that support a combination of coupling and associated signal processing between an output port and an input port, to support various techniques for relaying communications via the satellites.

Description

[0001] Cross-referencing

[0002] This patent application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 491,022, entitled “LOW EARTH ORBITSATELLITE SYSTEM”, filed March 17, 2023, which is assigned to the assignee of this patent application and is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The following content relates to communication systems, including technologies used in non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite communication systems. Background Technology

[0004] In some communication systems, terrestrial terminals can support radio signaling for communication services via a constellation of satellites in appropriate non-geostationary orbits (NGSOs), such as low Earth orbit (LEO) or medium Earth orbit (MEO). For example, satellites in such systems may be configured with one or more antennas that support communication with ground-segment terminals (e.g., gateway terminals, user terminals) or communication between ground-segment terminals, and may support various reconfigurable aspects to perform communication as the satellite travels along 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 continuous service coverage for 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 in the satellite characteristics, including cost, complexity, performance, power consumption, reliability, weight, size, form factor, etc. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The described technology relates to communication systems that implement satellites in non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) to support wireless signaling for communication services. Such satellite communication systems can include a constellation of NGSO satellites that support relaying signals between target devices, such as between gateway terminals and user terminals. For example, a satellite in an NGSO communication system can support receiving uplink signals (e.g., forward uplink signals from a gateway terminal, return uplink signals from a user terminal), and transmitting downlink signals (e.g., forward downlink signals to a user terminal, return downlink signals to a gateway terminal) based on the received uplink signals (e.g., according to a bent pipe payload configuration, according to a processed payload configuration). In some implementations, signals of an NGSO communication system can be relayed via multiple satellites in the constellation, such that one or more satellites in the NGSO communication system can support receiving cross-link signals (e.g., from another satellite), transmitting cross-link signals (e.g., to another satellite), or both.

[0006] A communication satellite in an NGSO communication system can be equipped with an antenna system that includes various configurations of antenna arrays to receive and transmit signals, and a transponder system coupled with such antenna arrays that is configured to route signals between one or more receive ports (e.g., of a receive system) and one or more transmit ports (e.g., of a transmit system) of the antenna system. In some examples, an antenna array or associated circuitry can 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 directions, concurrently one or more directions, one or more directions according to a beam hopping configuration). In some examples, the transponder system between an array used for signal reception and an array used for signal transmission can perform one or more aspects of signal processing, such as frequency conversion, demodulation or modulation, multiplexing, signal extraction or insertion, analog-to-digital or digital-to-analog conversion, or other examples of signal processing.

[0007] To support payloads that can be effectively implemented in a relatively large number of satellites, NGSO satellites can be configured with a particular combination of components in a receive system (e.g., one or more receive antenna systems, one or more receive subsystems), a transmit system (e.g., one or more transmit antenna systems, one or more transmit subsystems), and a transponder system between the receive system and the transmit system (e.g., to support various aspects of relayed communications). For example, according to examples disclosed herein, an NGSO satellite can include a receive system with one or more antenna elements (e.g., receive elements, direct radiating antenna elements, receive arrays, panel arrays, phased arrays) on a face of the satellite (e.g., a side of the satellite, a nadir face), and a transmit system with one or more antenna elements (e.g., transmit elements, direct radiating antenna elements, transmit arrays, panel arrays, phased arrays) on the same surface of the satellite. In some examples, such a receive system and transmit system can be configured to concurrently 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 enable signal orthogonality, such as different polarizations or different frequency ranges between the forward link signaling and the return link signaling.

[0008] A transponder system in such an NGSO satellite can be configured with a forward link pathway (e.g., a forward link signal path) and a return link pathway (e.g., a return link signal path). For example, the forward link pathway can be coupled between a first output port of the receive system and a first input port of the transmit system. In some examples, the forward link pathway can be associated with a first signal polarization (e.g., of signals received by the receive system, of signals transmitted by the transmit system, or both). Further, the return link pathway can be coupled between a second output port of the receive system and a second input port of the transmit system, and in some examples, the return link pathway can be associated with a second signal polarization (e.g., orthogonal to the first signal polarization). In some such implementations, the receive system and the transmit system can be configured for signaling in different frequency ranges (e.g., non-overlapping frequency ranges), which can improve signal isolation between uplink signaling and downlink signaling. In such a communication system, a user terminal can be located relatively close to a gateway terminal serving communications with the user terminal (e.g., within a beamforming scanning capability range of the receive system and the transmit system, within a service coverage area), such that implementing respective antenna elements of the receive system and the transmit system on the same face of the NGSO satellite can support relatively effective payloads.

[0009] In some examples, NGSO satellites can also be configured to support cross-link signaling in accordance with the disclosed technology, which can enable one or more additional antenna systems (e.g., one or more additional arrays, implemented on different faces of the satellite). For example, an NGSO satellite can include another receive system (e.g., another receive array, another panel array) on another face of the satellite (e.g., opposite the face that includes the forward / backward link antenna system, i.e., the zenith face), or can include another receive system and another transmit system on different faces of the satellite (e.g., opposite faces) (e.g., faces that are perpendicular to the nadir face, supporting cross-link relays independent of forward link relays, return link relays, or both). Corresponding transponder systems can include one or more additional signal paths (e.g., in addition to the forward link path and the return link path), supporting various combinations of coupling between output ports and input ports of multiple antenna systems on different faces of the satellite and associated signal processing.

[0010] NGSO satellites in such configurations can also include a control system (e.g., one or more controllers) that supports various modes of operation of the satellite. For example, such a control system can be configured to enable various signal paths (e.g., beam signal paths, relay paths, transponders) of the transponder system to support various couplings between receive systems and transmit systems, including related aspects of signal processing. Additionally or alternatively, such a control system can configure aspects of directional reception, directional transmission, or both, such as modifying beam weights or beam hopping on one or more beamforming networks of the receive system, the transmit system, or both. Additionally or alternatively, such a control system can be configured to modify orbital characteristics of the satellite (e.g., in coordination with enabling transponder signal paths and configuring beamforming parameters), such as modifying an alignment of the satellite (e.g., using an angular momentum system of the satellite, body- turning the satellite to align a satellite face or antenna system in various directions), or changing the orbital path itself (e.g., using a thruster, changing an altitude of the satellite, reorienting an orbital path of the satellite). In various implementations, such a control system can perform operations based on configurations at the satellite (e.g., preconfigurations, hardware configurations, software configurations), based on signaling received at the satellite (e.g., command signaling, parameter signaling, instructions, signaling from a network controller or from a terminal), based on detections at the satellite (e.g., sensor measurements, communication measurements, detections of characteristics of the satellite, detections of signal quality characteristics, detections of characteristics of communications relayed by the satellite, detections of environmental characteristics), or any combination thereof.

[0011] According to these and other aspects of the disclosure, therefore, satellites can be configured for NGSO communication systems with payloads that support efficient deployment of constellations of relatively high numbers of satellites. Further, the NGSO communication systems can be configured to operate such constellations of satellites in relatively flexible manners, such as configuring the satellites with various physical orientations, signaling orientations (e.g., beamforming orientations), and transponder configurations (e.g., signal path configurations, between one or more receive systems and one or more transmit systems) for uplink signaling, downlink signaling, cross-link signaling, or various combinations thereof. Such techniques can provide particular advantages for tradeoffs of characteristics such as cost, complexity, performance, power consumption, reliability, weight, size, form factor, and the like for deployment and operation of various NGSO satellite communication systems.

[0012] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the application, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the application will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 A diagram of a communication system that supports techniques for NGSO satellite communication systems is shown in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

[0014] Figure 2A And Figure 2B An example of a satellite that supports techniques for NGSO satellite communication systems is shown in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

[0015] Figure 3 An example of a payload that supports techniques for NGSO satellite communication systems is shown in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

[0016] Figure 4 An example of a payload configuration that supports techniques for NGSO satellite communication systems is shown in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

[0017] Figure 5A And Figure 5B An example of a satellite that supports techniques for NGSO satellite communication systems is shown in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

[0018] Figure 6 An example of a payload that supports techniques for NGSO satellite communication systems is shown in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

[0019] Figures 7A to 7GExamples of payload configurations that support techniques for NGSO satellite communication systems are shown in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

[0020] Figure 8A and Figure 8B Examples of satellites that support techniques for NGSO satellite communication systems are shown in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

[0021] Figure 9 Examples of payloads that support techniques for NGSO satellite communication systems are shown in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

[0022] Figures 10A to 10G Examples of payload configurations that support techniques for NGSO satellite communication systems are shown in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] A satellite communication system can include a constellation of NGSO satellites that support relaying signals between target devices, such as between gateway terminals and user terminals. For example, a satellite in an NGSO communication system can support receiving uplink signals (e.g., forward uplink signals from a gateway terminal, return uplink signals from a user terminal), and transmitting downlink signals (e.g., forward downlink signals to a user terminal, return downlink signals to a gateway terminal) based on the received uplink signals (e.g., according to a bent pipe payload configuration, according to a processed payload configuration). In some implementations, signals of an NGSO communication system can be relayed via multiple satellites in the constellation, such that one or more satellites in the NGSO communication system can support receiving cross-link signals (e.g., from another satellite), transmitting cross-link signals (e.g., to another satellite), or both.

[0024] A communication satellite in an NGSO communication system can be equipped with an antenna system that includes various configurations of antenna arrays to receive and transmit signals, and a transponder system coupled with such antenna arrays that is configured to route signals between one or more receive ports (e.g., of a receive system) and one or more transmit ports (e.g., of a transmit system) of the antenna system. In some examples, an antenna array or associated circuitry can 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 directions, concurrently one or more directions, one or more directions according to a beam hopping configuration). In some examples, the transponder system between an array for signal reception and an array for signal transmission can perform one or more aspects of signal processing, such as frequency conversion, demodulation or modulation, multiplexing, signal extraction or insertion, analog-to-digital or digital-to-analog conversion, or other examples of signal processing.

[0025] To support payloads that can be effectively implemented in a relatively large number of satellites, NGSO satellites can be configured with a particular combination of components in a receive system (e.g., one or more receive antenna systems), a transmit system (e.g., one or more transmit antenna systems), and a transponder system between the receive system and the transmit system (e.g., to support various aspects of relayed communications). For example, according to examples disclosed herein, an NGSO satellite can include a receive system with one or more antenna elements (e.g., receive elements, direct radiating antenna elements, receive arrays, panel arrays, phased arrays) on a face of the satellite (e.g., a side of the satellite, a nadir face), and a transmit system with one or more antenna elements (e.g., transmit elements, direct radiating antenna elements, transmit arrays, panel arrays, phased arrays) on the same surface of the satellite. In some examples, such a receive system and transmit system can be configured to concurrently 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 enable signal orthogonality, such as different polarizations or different frequency ranges between the forward link signaling and the return link signaling.

[0026] A transponder system in such an NGSO satellite can be configured with a forward link pathway (e.g., a forward link signal path) and a return link pathway (e.g., a return link signal path). For example, the forward link pathway can be coupled between a first output port of the receive system and a first input port of the transmit system. In some examples, the forward link pathway can be associated with a first signal polarization (e.g., of signals received by the receive system, of signals transmitted by the transmit system, or both). Further, the return link pathway can be coupled between a second output port of the receive system and a second input port of the transmit system, and in some examples, the return link pathway can be associated with a second signal polarization (e.g., orthogonal to the first signal polarization). In some such implementations, the receive system and the transmit system can be configured for signaling in different frequency ranges (e.g., non-overlapping frequency ranges), which can improve signal isolation between uplink signaling and downlink signaling. In such a communication system, a user terminal can be located relatively close to a gateway terminal serving communications with the user terminal (e.g., within a beamforming scanning capability range of the receive system and the transmit system, within a service coverage area), such that implementing respective antenna elements of the receive system and the transmit system on the same face of the NGSO satellite can support relatively effective payloads.

[0027] In some examples, NGSO satellites can also be configured to support cross-link signaling in accordance with the disclosed technology, which can enable one or more additional antenna systems (e.g., one or more additional arrays, implemented on different faces of the satellite). For example, an NGSO satellite can include another receive system (e.g., another receive array, another panel array) on another face of the satellite (e.g., opposite the face that includes the forward / backward link antenna system, i.e., the zenith face), or can include another receive system and another transmit system on different faces of the satellite (e.g., opposite faces) (e.g., faces that are perpendicular to the nadir face, supporting cross-link relays independent of forward link relays, return link relays, or both). Corresponding transponder systems can include one or more additional signal paths (e.g., in addition to the forward link path and the return link path), supporting various combinations of coupling between output ports and input ports of multiple antenna systems on different faces of the satellite and associated signal processing.

[0028] NGSO satellites in such configurations can also include a control system (e.g., one or more controllers) that supports various modes of operation of the satellite. For example, such a control system can be configured to enable various signal paths (e.g., beam signal paths, relay paths, transponders) of the transponder system to support various couplings between receive systems and transmit systems, including related aspects of signal processing. Additionally or alternatively, such a control system can configure aspects of directional reception, directional transmission, or both, such as modifying beam weights or beam hopping on one or more beamforming networks of the receive system, the transmit system, or both. Additionally or alternatively, such a control system can be configured to modify orbital characteristics of the satellite (e.g., in coordination with enabling transponder signal paths and configuring beamforming parameters), such as modifying an alignment of the satellite (e.g., using an angular momentum system of the satellite, body- turning the satellite to align a satellite face or antenna system in various directions), or changing the orbital path itself (e.g., using a thruster, changing an altitude of the satellite, reorienting an orbital path of the satellite). In various implementations, such a control system can perform operations based on configurations at the satellite (e.g., preconfigurations, hardware configurations, software configurations), based on signaling received at the satellite (e.g., command signaling, parameter signaling, instructions, signaling from a network controller or from a terminal), based on detections at the satellite (e.g., sensor measurements, communication measurements, detections of characteristics of the satellite, detections of signal quality characteristics, detections of characteristics of communications relayed by the satellite, detections of environmental characteristics), or any combination thereof.

[0029] According to these and other aspects of the disclosure, therefore, satellites can be configured for NGSO communication systems with payloads that support efficient deployment of constellations of relatively high numbers of satellites. Further, the NGSO communication systems can be configured to operate such constellations of satellites in relatively flexible manners, such as configuring the satellites for various physical orientations, signaling orientations (e.g., beamforming orientations), and transponder configurations (e.g., signal path configurations, between one or more receive systems and one or more transmit systems) for uplink signaling, downlink signaling, crosslink signaling, or various combinations thereof. Such techniques can provide particular advantages for tradeoffs of characteristics such as cost, complexity, performance, power consumption, reliability, weight, size, form factor, and the like for deploying and operating various NGSO satellite communication systems.

[0030] Initially with reference to Figure 1 Features of the disclosure are described in the context of a communication system. Reference is also made to Figures 2A to 10G Features of the disclosure are described in the context of example satellites, payloads, and payload implementations.

[0031] Figure 1 A diagram is shown of a communication system 100 (e.g., a satellite communication system) that supports techniques for NGSO satellite communication systems according to examples as disclosed herein. The communication system 100 can support communication services using various architectures, such as an architecture that includes a ground segment 101 and a space segment 102. The space segment 102 can include one or more satellites 120 (e.g., communication satellites). The ground segment 101 can 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), as well as network equipment 141, such as a network operations center (NOC), a satellite and gateway terminal command center, and the like. In some implementations, the terminals of the communication system 100 (e.g., the gateway terminals 130) can be communicatively coupled to each other, or to one or more networks 140, or a combination thereof (e.g., via a mesh network, via a star network, via a wired network, via a wireless network).

[0032] Satellites 120 can include any suitable type of satellite configured for wireless communication with (e.g., for providing communication services for) or between gateway terminals 130 and user terminals 150. In some examples, one or more of satellites 120 (e.g., all satellites 120) can be in respective orbits (e.g., NGSO, such as low earth orbit (LEO) or medium earth orbit (MEO)) whose positioning relative to the Earth changes over time. Although at least some techniques are described herein with reference to satellites 120 as examples of devices that support relaying communications between ground terminals, one or more techniques described herein can be applicable to other types of devices capable of operating to relay signaling (e.g., between ground terminals), which can have a generally overhead position relative to ground terminals (e.g., aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, drones, airships), or can be ground-based relays, including mobile or stationary relay devices.

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

[0034] For signal communication between gateway terminals 130 and user terminals 150 (e.g., via one or more satellites 120), various physical layer modulation and coding techniques can be supported, such as multiple 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 scheme known in the art. In various examples, the physical layer technique can be the same for each of signals 132, 133, 172, 173, and 175, or some of such signals can use a different physical layer technique than other such signals. Satellites 120 can support communication using one or more frequency bands and any number of sub-bands thereof. For example, one or more of satellites 120 can support operation in one 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, among other frequency bands or combinations of frequency bands, respectively.

[0035] Satellites 120 can include a system of one or more antennas (e.g., one or more antenna systems, one or more transmit subsystems, one or more receive subsystems), such as a flat panel array antenna, a phased array antenna, a direct-radiating phased array antenna, a phased array fed reflector (PAFR) antenna, or any other component known in the art for transmitting or receiving signals for communication services. In some examples, the antenna system can support communication via one or more beamformed beams 125 (e.g., beams associated with directional transmission, beams associated with directional reception, beams associated with both directional transmission and directional reception), which can be referred to as spot beams, service beams, satellite beams, or any other suitable term. Signals can be communicated via an array of feed elements of the antenna system of satellites 120 (e.g., via a beamformer) to transmit or receive a spatial electromagnetic radiation pattern (e.g., a scan volume) of beams 125. In some examples, beams 125 can use or otherwise be associated with a single carrier (e.g., one frequency or a contiguous range of frequencies).

[0036] In some examples, beams 125 can be configured (e.g., by location, by frequency range, by polarization) to support only gateway terminals 130 (e.g., a single gateway terminal 130), in which case the beams 125 can be referred to as gateway beams or gateway spot beams (e.g., gateway beams 125-a). For example, gateway beams 125-a can be configured to support one or more uplink signals 132 (e.g., forward uplink signals, as receive beams of the satellite 120), one or more downlink signals 133 (e.g., return downlink signals, as transmit beams of the satellite 120), or a combination thereof, between the satellite 120 and the gateway terminal 130. In some examples, the satellite 120 can 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 can 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 can include gateway beams 125 that are aligned along the same direction from the satellite 120 (e.g., toward the same gateway terminal 130, for concurrently supporting forward and return traffic), or along different directions from the satellite 120 (e.g., toward respective different gateway terminals 130, for forward and return traffic), or supported via different antenna systems (e.g., receive antenna systems and transmit antenna systems) or portions thereof or both, of the satellite 120.

[0037] In some examples, beams 125 can 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 which case the beams 125 can be referred to as user beams or user spot beams (e.g., user beams 125-b). For example, user beams 125-b can be configured to support one or more downlink signals 172 (e.g., forward downlink signals, as transmit beams of satellite 120), one or more uplink signals 173 (e.g., return uplink signals, as receive beams of satellite 120), or a combination thereof, between satellite 120 and user terminals 150. In some examples, satellite 120 can support a first user beam 125 (e.g., a downlink user spot beam, a forward user spot beam) for transmitting downlink signals 172 (e.g., forward downlink signals, to output forward downlink beam signals), and can support a second user beam 125 (e.g., an uplink user spot beam, a return user spot beam) for receiving uplink signals 173 (e.g., return uplink signals, to obtain return uplink beam signals). In various examples, such techniques can include user beams 125 that are aligned along the same direction from satellite 120 (e.g., toward the same portion of a service area, for concurrently supporting forward and return traffic in the same area), or user beams 125 that are along different directions from satellite 120 (e.g., toward respective different portions of a service area, for supporting forward and return traffic in different areas), or user beams supported via different antenna systems (e.g., transmit antenna systems and receive antenna systems) or portions thereof or both, of satellite 120.

[0038] In some examples, beams 125 can be configured to serve both user terminals 150 and gateway terminals 130. For example, beams 125 can be configured to support any combination of downlink signals 172, uplink signals 173, uplink signals 132, or downlink signals 133 between satellite 120 and user terminals 150 and gateway terminals 130. In some examples, satellite 120 can transmit cross-link signals 175, or receive cross-link signals 175, or both (not shown), using beams 125. Such techniques can be supported by satellite 120 transmitting and receiving cross-link signals 175 using the same cross-link beams 125, or transmitting cross-link signals 175 using a first cross-link beam 125 and receiving cross-link signals 175 using a second cross-link beam 125, which can be supported by the same antenna system or different antenna systems of satellite 120.

[0039] The beams 125 can support communication services with target devices (e.g., user terminals 150, gateway terminals 130, satellites 120) that are located within the volume of the beam 125, such as in the beam coverage area 126 (e.g., a spot beam coverage area), or in a projection thereof (e.g., at different distances from a plane or surface of the beam coverage area 126). The beam coverage area 126 can be defined by an area of the electromagnetic radiation pattern of the associated beam 125, as projected onto a ground or other reference surface, having a signal characteristic (e.g., signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR)) above a threshold or otherwise meeting 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, which can include 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, the satellite 120 can support multiple beamformed beams 125 that are each associated with a respective beam coverage area 126, each of which can or can not overlap another (e.g., adjacent) beam coverage area 126. For example, the satellite 120 can support one or more service areas (e.g., service coverage areas) using any number of beam coverage areas 126. A service area can be broadly defined as a coverage area from which and / or toward which terrestrial transmitters or terrestrial receivers can participate in communication services via one or more satellites 120 (e.g., transmit and / or receive signals associated with the communication services), and can be served by one or more beam coverage areas 126 via one or more satellites 120 (e.g., for a respective duration of time during which the satellite 120 in the NGSO is capable of serving one or more beam coverage areas 126 that at least partially overlap the service area). In some systems, the service coverage area (e.g., forward uplink coverage area, forward downlink coverage area, return uplink coverage area, and / or return downlink coverage area) for each communication link can be different.

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

[0042] User terminals 150 can include an antenna 155 configured to receive downlink signals 172 (e.g., from satellite 120), to transmit uplink signals 173 (e.g., to satellite 120), or both. Antenna 155 can be part of an antenna assembly 151 (e.g., a user terminal antenna assembly), which can also include various hardware for mounting or orienting antenna 155. Antenna assembly 151 can also include circuitry and / or processors for converting (e.g., performing frequency conversion, modulation / demodulation, multiplexing / demultiplexing, filtering, repeating) between radio frequency (RF) communication signals (e.g., downlink signals 172, uplink signals 173) and user terminal communication signals 157 communicated between antenna 155 and user terminal controller 158. Such circuitry and / or processors can be included in antenna assembly 151, which can be referred to as an integrated antenna assembly or a processor integrated antenna assembly. Additionally or alternatively, user terminal controller 158 can include circuitry for performing various RF signal operations (e.g., receiving, performing frequency conversion, modulation / demodulation, multiplexing / demultiplexing, etc.). Antenna assembly 151 can also be referred to as a satellite outdoor unit (ODU), and user terminal controller 158 can 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 implementations, antenna 155 can include an array (e.g., a two-dimensional array, a panel array, a phased array) of feed elements 156 physically arranged in a feed array assembly, and can manipulate signals of respective feed elements 156 according to various beamforming techniques (e.g., phase and / or amplitude steering) to support terminal beams (e.g., terminal spot 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 can be electronically configurable using the array of feed elements 156 to aim signal transmission and / or reception in a desired direction (e.g., a terminal beam orientation). In some other implementations, signaling direction of antenna 155 can be mechanically configurable (e.g., mechanically steerable, with or without one or more reflectors, such as a parabolic reflector), or both electronically and mechanically configurable, or antenna 155 can implement an omni-directional antenna, among other techniques. Thus, antenna 155 can be configured to track satellite 120 in an NGSO to support directional communication signaling with satellite 120.

[0044] User terminal 150 can be connected to one or more instances of customer 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 can include user equipment such as, but not limited to, computers, local area networks, Internet appliances, wireless networks, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), other handheld devices, netbooks, notebook computers, tablet computers, laptops, display devices (e.g., TVs, computer monitors), printers, sensors, vehicles, and other equipment. CPE 160 can also include any equipment located at a subscriber’s premises, including routers, firewalls, switches, private branch exchanges (PBXs), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) gateways, and the like. In some examples, user terminal 150 supports two-way communication between one or more CPE 160 and one or more networks 140 (e.g., via one or more satellites 120, via one or more gateway terminals 130).

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

[0046] In some examples, the gateway terminal 130 (e.g., the gateway controller 135, access node controller) can schedule traffic to the user terminals 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 that can include a NOC and / or a gateway command center). The satellites 120 can communicate with the gateway terminal 130 by transmitting downlink signals 133, receiving uplink signals 132, or both, via one or more beams 125 (e.g., a gateway beam 125-a, which can be associated with a respective gateway beam coverage area 126-a). The gateway beam 125-a may, for example, support communication services (e.g., relayed by the satellites 120) for one or more user terminals 150, or any other communication between the satellites 120 and the gateway terminal 130.

[0047] The gateway terminal 130 can provide an interface between the network 140 and the satellites 120, and can be configured to relay information directed between the network 140 and one or more user terminals 150. The gateway terminal 130 can format information for delivery to a respective user terminal 150. Additionally or alternatively, the gateway terminal 130 can be configured to receive signals from the satellites 120 (e.g., from one or more user terminals 150) that are directed to a destination accessible via the network 140. The gateway terminal 130 can also format the received signals for transmission to the network 140.

[0048] The network 140 can be any type of network and can include, for example, the Internet, an Internet Protocol (IP) network, an intranet, a wide-area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a local area network (LAN), a virtual private network (VPN), a virtual LAN (VLAN), a fiber optic network, a fiber optic cable hybrid network, a cable network, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a public switched data network (PSDN), a public land mobile network, and / or any other type of network supporting communication between devices as described herein. The network 140 can include both wired and wireless connections, as well as optical links. The network 140 can connect one or more gateway terminals 130 with other gateway terminals 130 that can communicate with the satellite 120 or with other satellites. One or more network devices 141 can be coupled with the gateway terminal 130 and can control aspects of the communication system 100. In various examples, the network devices 141 can be co-located or otherwise in the vicinity of the gateway terminal 130, or can be remote facilities in communication with the gateway terminal 130 and / or the network 140 via wired and / or wireless communication links.

[0049] In some examples, the communication system 100 (e.g., the space segment 102) can include a group (e.g., constellation) of multiple satellites 120 to support communication services. For example, a service area for such a communication service can be configured such that, within a given time, communications can be served by one or more satellites 120 passing through one or more service areas. In some examples, such techniques can also be supported by the communication system 100 including a satellite 180, which can be a satellite in a different orbit (e.g., a geostationary orbit) than the satellites 120. The satellite 180 can be implemented to support various techniques of the communication system 100. For example, the satellite 180 can be configured to support data signaling with or between gateway terminals 130 (e.g., via signals 181, which can include uplink signaling, downlink signaling, or both), with or between user terminals 150 (e.g., via signals 182, which can include uplink signaling, downlink signaling, or both), or a combination thereof (e.g., as a relay between gateway terminals 130 and user terminals 150). Additionally or alternatively, the satellite 180 can be configured to support data signaling with or via the satellites 120 (e.g., via signals 183, as a GEO link signal), including configurations in which the signals 183 support cross-link relay signaling (e.g., of forward communications or return communications) via the satellite 180. Additionally or alternatively, the satellite 180 can support transmitting configuration signaling, such as for configuring operations of the gateway terminals 130 (e.g., via signals 181), for configuring operations of the user terminals 150 (e.g., via signals 182), or for configuring operations of the satellites 120 (e.g., via signals 183), or any combination thereof.

[0050] According to the examples disclosed herein, satellite 120 can be configured for use in a communication system 100 with a payload that supports the efficient deployment of a constellation of a relatively high number of satellites 120. Furthermore, the communication system 100 can be configured to operate this constellation of satellites 120 in a relatively flexible manner, such as configuring 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 of the satellites) for uplink signaling, downlink signaling, cross-link signaling, or various combinations thereof. Such techniques can provide specific advantages for balancing characteristics such as cost, complexity, performance, power consumption, reliability, weight, size, form factor, etc., for the deployment and operation of the 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 target functions for receiving and transmitting (e.g., relaying) beam signals, which allows for a relatively small size (e.g., compact form factor) and relatively low complexity for satellite 120-a. In some examples, the relatively small size of satellite 120-a (e.g., in an undeployed state) and other factors support relatively low costs 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. While some technologies are described with reference to satellite 120-a operating in an NGSO, in some other examples, one or more of the described technologies can be implemented in satellite 120 or satellite 180 operating in geostationary orbit, as well as other implementations.

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

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

[0054] Satellite 120-a can support wireless communications between ground terminals (e.g., between one or more user terminals 150 and one or more gateway terminals 130) using receive array 240 (e.g., an uplink array, a panel array, a direct radiating array) to receive uplink signaling (e.g., forward uplink signaling, return uplink signaling, uplink signals 132, uplink signals 173) and transmit array 250 (e.g., a downlink array, a panel array, a direct radiating array) to transmit downlink signaling (e.g., forward downlink signaling, return downlink signaling, downlink signals 172, downlink signals 133), for example. Receive array 240 can be configured to receive signaling from ground terminals, and transmit array 250 can be configured to transmit signaling to ground terminals, for example.

[0055] Receive array 240 and transmit array 250 can be physically arranged on satellite 120-a (e.g., fixed to the satellite) to support effective communications of beam signals (e.g., via beams 125 formed at satellite 120-a) with user terminals 150 and gateway terminals 130. Receive array 240 and transmit array 250 can both be located on side 215 (e.g., the same face, i.e., the nadir face) of satellite 120-a, for example. In some examples, receive array 240 and transmit array 250 can be discrete components of antenna elements (e.g., components of receive elements separate from components of transmit elements), which can support relatively improved signal isolation and packaging, among other advantages. In some other examples, receive array 540 and transmit array 550 can refer to interleaved antenna elements (e.g., receive elements and transmit elements distributed between at least partially overlapping surface areas), or can be implemented as a single array implementing antenna elements for both reception and transmission (e.g., as transceiver elements).

[0056] To support communications with terminals of ground segment 101 using receive array 240 and transmit array 250, satellite 120-a can be oriented such that side 215 (e.g., a nominal direction of side 215, an axis of side 215, a positive z-direction of satellite 120-a) is aligned toward the Earth (e.g., toward a service area, toward a location of a service area).

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

[0058] While in the example of the satellite 120-a, the receive array and the transmit array 550 are shown on a planar face of the satellite 120-a, in some other examples in accordance with the described techniques, such techniques can be supported by faces of the satellite 120 or by attached antenna element arrays that are not planar, such as having one or more curved arrays or other shaped arrays associated with the axes 245 and 255 (e.g., for a satellite 120 having one or more curved surfaces, such as a cylindrical surface or a spherical surface). Moreover, while in the example of the satellite 120-a, the axis 245 and the axis 255 are parallel, in some other examples, the directions of the axis 245 and the axis 255 can 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 of sides of the satellite 120, between nominal directions of curved arrays of the 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 large 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 in a smaller cross-sectional area in the xy plane, including antenna elements with a smaller separation distance, or a combination thereof), which may be associated with a relatively shorter wavelength at a relatively higher frequency. However, in some other implementations, such relative size determinations or quantities of antenna elements may be reversed 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 (e.g., mechanical, electrical, static, fixed configurations) that differ between systems, such as the configuration of circuitry elements 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 size determinations or quantities 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), and other balances.

[0060] In some examples, the receive array 240, the transmit array 250, or both, can have a triangular cross-section (e.g., in the xy-plane). For example, when sharing a face of the satellite 120-a, dividing the surface area of the face into triangles (e.g., right triangles, isosceles triangles) can support receive array 240 and transmit array 250 with more uniform beamforming characteristics (e.g., due to the relative uniformity of the width along the x-direction and along the y-direction) than if the surface area were divided into adjacent rectangles or other shapes. In some other examples, the area of the shared face of the satellite 120-a can be divided into rectangular cross-sections or other shapes for the receive array 240 and the transmit array 250 (e.g., in the xy-plane), and in operation, the satellite 120-a can be rotated (e.g., about the z-axis) such that any beamforming or other signaling asymmetries can be well aligned along a particular direction of rotation. For example, a relatively longer dimension of the receive array 240 or the transmit array 250 can be aligned (e.g., rotated to) a particular direction, such as a direction of separation between beams 125 (e.g., a direction of separation between a user terminal 150 and a gateway terminal serving the user terminal 150), which can reduce beamforming scan loss at angles (e.g., scan angles) relative to the axes 245 and 255 or relative to the z-direction of the satellite 120-a.

[0061] The receive system (e.g., receive antenna system, uplink antenna system, receive system including receive array 240) of the satellite 120-a can support receiving beam signals (e.g., uplink signals 132, uplink signals 173, received via beams 125) from one or more target devices, such as one or more user terminals 150, one or more gateway terminals 130, or a combination thereof. For example, the receive array 240 can include one or more receive elements (e.g., receive antenna elements, receive feed elements) located on the side 215 that are configured to receive signaling from the target devices. The receive elements can include physical transducers (e.g., RF transducers) that convert electromagnetic signals (e.g., electromagnetic component signals) to electrical signals (e.g., electrical component signals). The receive elements can include, for example, feed horns, polarized transducers (e.g., septum polarized horns, which can function as two combined elements with different polarizations), multi-port horns (e.g., with dual-polarized LHCP / RHCP), back cavity slots, inverted-F, slotted waveguide, Vivaldi, helical, loop, patch, or any other configuration of antenna elements or combinations of interconnected sub-elements.

[0062] In some implementations, the receive elements can support reception (e.g., separation between) of respective component signals associated with different polarizations, and can be associated with or can include respective ports (e.g., one or more ports, respective input ports, respective output ports) configured for component signals associated with a particular polarization. For example, a set of receive elements of the receive array 240 can receive first component signals (e.g., electromagnetic component signals) of a first receive beam signal, each first component signal having a first polarization. The received first component signals can be converted (e.g., converted to electrical signals, converted to electrical component signals) and output using a set of first antenna element ports (e.g., output ports). Thus, at least some of the receive elements can receive portions or components of the first receive beam signal and can output associated electrical signals from respective first ports (e.g., to a first receive beamforming network corresponding to the first polarization). In some examples, the set of receive elements can also receive second component signals of a second receive beam signal, each second component signal having a second polarization (e.g., different than, orthogonal to the first polarization). The received second component signals can be converted and output using a set of second antenna element ports. Thus, at least some of the receive elements can also receive portions or components of the second receive beam signal and can output associated electrical signals from respective second ports (e.g., to a second receive beamforming network corresponding to the second polarization).

[0063] In some examples, the receive array 240 can be configured for reception of signaling according to a first polarization associated with forward link communications (e.g., signaling from the gateway terminal 130) and according to a second polarization associated with return link communications (e.g., signaling from the 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 a left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) and the second polarization can be an example of a right-hand circular polarization (RHCP). Additionally or alternatively, the first and second polarizations can be linear polarizations, such as the first polarization having a vertical polarization and the second polarization having a horizontal polarization.

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

[0065] In some implementations, the receive system can include a first beamforming network coupled with outputs of a set of first antenna element ports, which can 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 can 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), which can route the beam signal to a transmit system, such as a transmit system including the transmit array 250. In some implementations, the receive system can also include a second beamforming network coupled with outputs of a set of second antenna element ports, which can 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 (e.g., a return link beam signal) associated with a second polarization to, for example, a transponder (e.g., to a return link transponder, to a return link signal path, to a portion of a transponder system), which can route the beam signal to a transmit system, such as a transmit system including the transmit array 250.

[0066] The transmit system (e.g., a transmit antenna system, a downlink antenna system, a transmit system including the transmit array 250) of the satellite 120-a can support transmitting beam signals (e.g., downlink signals 133, downlink signals 172, transmitted via beams 125) to one or more target devices, such as one or more user terminals 150, one or more gateway terminals 130, or a combination thereof. For example, the transmit array 250 can include one or more transmit elements (e.g., transmit antenna elements, transmit feed elements) located on the side 215 configured to transmit signaling to a target device. A transmit antenna element can include a physical transducer (e.g., an RF transducer) that converts electrical signals (e.g., electrical component signals) to electromagnetic signals (e.g., electromagnetic component signals). Transmit elements can include, for example, feed horns, polarization transducers (e.g., septum polarized horns, which can function as two combined elements with different polarizations), multi-port horns (e.g., with dual-polarized LHCP / RHCP), back-cavity slots, inverted-F, slotted waveguide, Vivaldi, spiral, loop, patch, or any other configuration of antenna elements or combination of interconnected sub-elements.

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

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

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

[0070] In some examples, the transmit array 250 can transmit signaling according to a first polarization associated with forward link communications (e.g., signaling to user terminals 150) and a second polarization associated with return link communications (e.g., signaling to gateway terminals 130), in which case the first polarization can be orthogonal to the second polarization. For example, the first polarization can be an example of LHCP, and the second polarization can be an example of RHCP. Additionally or alternatively, the first and second polarizations can be linear polarizations, such as the first polarization having a vertical polarization and the second polarization having a horizontal polarization. In some implementations, the transmit array 250 can implement the same polarization as the receive array 240 for forward communications (e.g., implement LHCP for forward links), and implement the same polarization as the receive array 240 for return communications (e.g., implement RHCP for return links). In some other implementations, the transmit array 250 can implement a different polarization than the receive array 240 for forward communications or for return communications, 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., transmit control signaling, receive control signaling) within a limited frequency range (e.g., between 2 GHz and 4 GHz, not overlapping with or otherwise different from receive array 240 and transmit array 250). In some examples, one or more of these antennas may transmit control signaling (e.g., via control bands), 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, and other examples. In some examples, patch antenna 284, omnidirectional antenna 282, or both may be located on a side of satellite 120-a other than 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 implementations, satellite 120-a may include a tracking system 280 (e.g., a star tracker) to support the detection of telemetry information for 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 paths or other telemetry information, and may transmit telemetry information (e.g., using a telemetry beacon) or use the telemetry information to control the orientation of satellite 120-a (e.g., using an angular momentum system) or determine a corresponding direction for one or more beams 125, among other implementations. Tracking system 280 may be located on a surface of satellite 120-a that is different from the surface including receiver array 240 and transmitter array 250, such as on side 211.

[0073] In some implementations, satellite 120-a can include one or more components that support controlling orbital parameters of the satellite. For example, satellite 120-a can include one or more thrusters 286, which in some examples can be located on an opposite side of satellite 120-a from receive array 240 and transmit array 250 (e.g., on side 216), or on one or more other sides. Thrusters 286 can be operable to modify an orbital path of satellite 120-a (e.g., to move to a higher or lower orbit, to adjust a speed of satellite 120-a along an orbital path). Additionally or alternatively, satellite 120-a can include an angular momentum system (e.g., located inside satellite 120-a, not shown) that is operable to orient satellite 120-a about one or more axes (e.g., to spin the satellite) (e.g., to align a side of the satellite along a target direction, to align a z-direction of satellite 120-a along a target direction, to align axis 245, axis 255, or both, along a target direction).

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

[0075] While in some examples, the receiving array 240 and transmitting array 250 may be configured for communication with a terminal on the ground segment, they may additionally or alternatively be configured for communication 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 the receiving array 240, or transmitting signal 183 using the transmitting array 250, or both (e.g., via a corresponding beam 125). In some examples, such techniques may be supported by aligning the positive z-direction of satellite 120-a toward 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 technology for an NGSO satellite communication system, as disclosed herein, is shown. The payload 300 can be deployed on satellite 120 (such as reference 120). Figure 2A and Figure 2B This is implemented in the described satellite 120-a). For example, payload 300 may include a receiving system 305 (e.g., a receiving subsystem, a receiving antenna system, an uplink receiving subsystem), a transmitting system 315 (e.g., a transmitting subsystem, a transmitting antenna system, a downlink transmitting 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), which is coupled to the receiving system 305 and the transmitting system 315 (e.g., coupled between the receiving system and the transmitting system). The receiving system 305 may be a single receiving system of payload 300, and the transmitting system 315 may be a single transmitting system of payload 300. Although the receiving system 305, the transponder system 310, and the transmitting system 315 are provided with illustrative boundaries, the components may be distributed differently among other systems or subsystems according to the described technology.

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

[0078] The repeater system 310 (e.g., a repeater subsystem, a set of repeaters, a set of signal paths between the receive system 305 and the transmit system 315) can be operable to couple with the ports 306 of the receive system 305 and receive one or more beam signals from the receive system 305. For example, the repeater system 310 can include ports 311 (e.g., ports 311-a and 311-b, input ports, uplink ports, beam signal ports) that are operable to couple (e.g., in a one-to-one correspondence) with the respective ports 306 of the receive system 305. In some other examples, the respective ports 311 and 306 can be referred to or equated to common ports (e.g., uplink ports, uplink nodes, common nodes of the receive system 305 or the repeater system 310). The repeater system 310 can also be operable to couple with the ports 316 of the transmit system 315 and output one or more beam signals to the transmit system 315. For example, the repeater system 310 can include ports 312 (e.g., ports 312-a and 312-b, output ports, downlink ports, beam signal ports) that are operable to couple (e.g., in a one-to-one correspondence) with the respective ports 316 of the transmit system 315. In some other examples, the respective ports 312 and 316 can be referred to or equated to common ports (e.g., downlink ports, downlink nodes, common nodes of the receive system 305 or the repeater system 310). Thus, the repeater system 310 can include two ports 311 (e.g., two input ends, a single return port 311-a and a single forward port 311-b) that couple with respective ports 306 (e.g., two output ends, a single return port 306-a and a single forward port 306-b) of the receive system 305, and the repeater system 310 can include two ports 312 (e.g., two output ends, a single return port 312-a and a single forward port 312-b) that couple with respective ports 316 (e.g., two input ends, a single return port 316-a and a single forward port 316-b) of the transmit system 315. 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] The payload 300 can be operable to support different modes (e.g., signaling modes, communication modes, relay modes, signal path modes, signal routing modes, beam signal modes) or combinations of modes for relaying beam signals. Such modes and other operations of the satellite 120 including the payload 300 can be controlled (e.g., configured, coordinated, initiated) at least in part by a control system 360 of the payload, which can be coupled with at least the receiving system 305, the transponder system 310, and the transmitting system 315 to configure one or more aspects of the respective components. For example, the control system 360 can support managing beamforming networks (e.g., the beamforming network 320, the beamforming network 340), activating and deactivating signal paths of the transponder system 310, and managing satellite alignment (e.g., aligning the satellite 120 toward a target, altering an orbital path of the satellite 120), among other operations. The control system 360 can include any number of one or more processors, which can include processors that are co-located within the payload 300, distributed throughout the payload 300, or both. Any one or more of such processors can be configured (e.g., individually configured, collectively configured, configured by software, configured by firmware, configured by hardware, or any combination thereof) to cause the satellite 120 (e.g., the payload 300) to perform various operations described herein.

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

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

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

[0083] In some examples, the payload 300 can be considered a processed payload, and can include circuitry for processing techniques such as analog-to-digital conversion, sampling, demodulation, signal extraction, de-multiplexing, channelization, multiplexing, signal insertion, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, and other processing techniques. In some such examples, such processing techniques can be implemented on the IF signals between the frequency converters 325 and 335. The processing of the payload can include processing in the analog domain, processing in the digital domain, or both. In some other examples, the payload can be considered a non-processed payload (e.g., in a pigtail payload configuration), and the IF signals can be transponded through the 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 can include a frequency converter 335-a (e.g., an upconverter) that receives the first IF signal and converts the frequency for the first downlink beam signal to the second frequency range. In some examples, the second frequency range can be 71 GHz - 76 GHz, or another frequency range having the same bandwidth as the first frequency range, the IF frequency range, or both. In some implementations, the first frequency range and the second frequency range can not overlap, which can support aspects of the receiving system 305 and the transmitting system 315 (e.g., antenna elements, signal processing hardware) being 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 receive a second oscillator signal having a second oscillator frequency (e.g., 60 GHz, to convert from an 11 GHz - 16 GHz range to a 71 GHz - 76 GHz range) such as from the frequency generator 330, and can output the first downlink beam signal having a frequency corresponding to a sum of the frequency of the first IF signal and the second oscillator frequency.

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

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

[0087] The beamforming network 320-b can include an output 322-b (e.g., a port, a single output, an output corresponding to the forward link uplink beam signal, corresponding to the second polarization) that can be configured to output the second uplink beam signal to the transponder system 310 (e.g., via the port 306-b). In some examples, the output 322-b can be configured to output the second uplink beam signal within the same frequency range (e.g., the first frequency range) as the received component signals. In some examples, the output 322-b can be supported by activating the amplifier 365-b (e.g., by the control system 360). In some examples, the beamforming network 320-a and the beamforming network 320-b can be referred to as a single beamforming network 320 of the receive system 305 that is configured to support directional reception of a single respective beam 125 for each of the different polarizations supported by the receive array 240-a.

[0088] The second signal path (e.g., a single forward path) of the transponder system 310 (e.g., a signal path between ports 311-b and 312-b, corresponding to a second signal path or transponder of the transponder system 310, corresponding to a single forward link transponder) can be coupled (e.g., directly coupled, or coupled via an amplifier 365-b, where applicable) with the output 322-b, and can receive a second uplink beam signal (e.g., via port 311-b) from the beamforming network 320-b. In some implementations, the transponder system 310 can also include a frequency conversion between port 311-b and port 312-b. For example, along the second signal path, the transponder system 310 can downconvert the second uplink beam signal from a first frequency range (e.g., 81 GHz - 86 GHz) to an IF frequency range to generate a second IF signal. For example, the transponder system 310 can include a frequency converter 325-b that receives the second uplink beam signal and converts a frequency for the second IF signal to the IF frequency range (e.g., 11 GHz - 16 GHz). In some cases, to support the second frequency conversion, the frequency converter 325-b can receive a first oscillator signal having a first oscillator frequency, such as from the frequency generator 330, and can output the second IF signal having a frequency that corresponds to a 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 upconvert 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 can include a frequency converter 335-b that receives the second IF signal and converts a frequency for the second downlink beam signal to the second frequency range (e.g., 71 GHz - 76 GHz). In some cases, to support the frequency conversion, the frequency converter 335-b can receive a second oscillator signal having a second oscillator frequency, such as from the frequency generator 330, and can output the second downlink beam signal having a frequency that corresponds to a sum of the frequency of the second IF signal and the second oscillator frequency.

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

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

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

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

[0094] In some cases, the control system 360 can operate in accordance with signaling received by the satellite 120. Such signaling can be associated with a band centered around an IF frequency range (e.g., 13.5 GHz). For example, the payload 300 can include an operational command receiver 362 that can decode commands (e.g., command messages) received by the reception system 305. In some examples, the operational command receiver 362 can decode messages included in the second uplink beam signal (e.g., commands from the gateway terminal 130). For example, the second signal path can include a coupler 328 (e.g., a signal path junction) that supports relaying at least a portion of the second IF signal to both the frequency translator 335-b and the operational command receiver 362. The coupler 328 can include one or more switches (e.g., that can be operated using the control system 360) to support relaying the second IF signal to the operational command receiver 362, can support addition (e.g., summation) of signals, or both, among other examples. In some cases, the operational command receiver 362 can receive a schedule that includes information such as beam weights (e.g., array beam pointing information for the beamforming networks 320 and 340), instructions for body steering maneuvers, beam hopping information, etc., that can be provided to the control system 360.

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

[0096] Accordingly, payload 300 demonstrates an example for supporting communications with receive system 305, transponder system 310, and transmit system 315 having specific ports assigned to specific types of communications and thus specific types of signaling characteristics. For example, receive system 305 can be configured for an uplink frequency range (e.g., 81 GHz - 86 GHz), and transmit system 315 can be configured for a downlink frequency range (e.g., 71 GHz - 76 GHz) that does not overlap the uplink frequency range. The orthogonality of the different ports between forward communications and return communications at receive system 305 and transmit system 315 can be provided by orthogonal polarizations, such as assigning RHCP to return communications and LHCP to forward communications. Accordingly, in some examples, transponder system 310 can include a single signal path for forward communications between receive system 305 and transmit system 315 that includes a net frequency conversion from the uplink frequency range to the downlink frequency range and maintains a forward link polarization, and a single signal path for return communications between receive system 305 and transmit system 315 that includes a net frequency conversion from the uplink frequency range to the downlink frequency range and maintains a return link polarization association. Such a configuration can provide an efficient means for bi-directional signal relaying in satellite 120 (e.g., satellite 120-a) that includes payload 300.

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

[0098] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the configuration of the scan angle between beamforming network 320 and beamforming network 340 can be different, such as between uplink communications and downlink communications (e.g., between beamforming network 320 and beamforming network 340), between forward communications and return communications (e.g., between forward transponders and return transponders), or a combination thereof, or other differences in aspects of link balance or bias. For example, payload 300 can be configured for relaying signaling with gateway terminal 130 within a relatively smaller portion of the service area (e.g., a more centrally located portion, a narrower portion), rather than being configured for relaying signaling with user terminals 150, which can be associated with reduced scan loss (e.g., reduced attenuation) when communicating with gateway terminal 130. In such examples, beamforming network 320-a, beamforming network 340-b, or both, can be configured according to a first scan angle range, and beamforming network 320-b, beamforming network 340-a, or both, can be configured according to a second scan angle range that is greater than the first scan angle range (e.g., a relatively narrower scan angle range for signaling with gateway terminal 130, a relatively wider scan angle range for signaling with user terminals 150).

[0099] Accordingly, in some such examples, communication system 100 can be configured such that an axis 245, an axis 255, or both, of satellite 120 including payload 300 can be more closely aligned with gateway terminal 130 than with user terminals 150 served by gateway terminal 130. In some examples, to support communications via a coverage area of gateway terminal 130, satellite 120 including payload 300 can be configured to orient an axis 245, an axis 255, or both, toward a location of the coverage area that is within a first angular separation range from a direction of gateway terminal 130. With such an orientation, satellite 120 can support communications with one or more user terminals 150 that are each located along a respective other direction that is within a second angular separation range from axis 245, axis 255, or both, where the second angular separation range can be greater than the first angular separation range. For example, the second angular separation range can be at least 50% greater than the first angular separation range, at least 100% greater than the first angular separation range (e.g., at least twice as great), or other amounts greater than the first angular separation range.

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

[0101] To support the first configuration, the payload implementation 400 can be configured for relaying signaling from the antenna assembly 151-a to the gateway antenna system 131-a (e.g., as a return link relay). For example, the receive system 305 can receive the uplink signal 173-a (e.g., a return uplink signal) from the antenna assembly 151-a according to the beam 125-c-2 (e.g., as a receive beam). In this case, the beam 125-c-2 can be formed using the beamforming network 320-a, which can be configured by the control system 360 (e.g., to implement receive beam weights at the beamforming network 320-a to align directional reception along the beam direction 127-c-2 to generate the beam 125-c-2 according to the scan angle Q2), for example. In some examples, the control system 360 can be configured to activate (e.g., enable, configure) the signal path 405-a (e.g., including the leg 435, a return beam signal leg, a single return link transponder) that couples the port 311-a with the port 312-a to route return link signals from the receive system 305 to the transmit system 315 through the transponder system 310. Such activation can include activating the beamforming network 320-a or the beamforming network 340-a, activating the amplifier 365-a or the amplifier 370-a, activating the ports 306-a, 311-a, 312-a, 316-a or connections therebetween, activating the frequency translator 325-a or 335-a, or any combination thereof, among other activations, for example. Accordingly, the transmit system 315 can transmit the downlink signal 133-a (e.g., a return downlink signal) to the gateway antenna system 131-a that is based at least in part on the uplink signal 173-a (e.g., includes information of the uplink signal). The transmit system 315 can transmit the downlink signal 133-a according to the beam 125-c-l (e.g., as a transmit beam). In this case, the beam 125-c-l can be formed using the beamforming network 340-a, which can be configured by the control system 360 (e.g., to implement transmit beam weights at the beamforming network 340-a to align directional transmission along the beam direction 127-c-l to generate the beam 125-c-l according to the scan angle Ql), for example.

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

[0103] Accordingly, the satellite 120-b can operate in different modes, which can implement the first configuration (e.g., for return link relaying), or the second configuration (e.g., for forward link relaying), or a combination of the first and second configurations (e.g., concurrently for bidirectional relaying). To support such modes, the satellite 120-b can also be configured to determine its orientation along various directions (e.g., body turning, using the control system 360, using the positioning and turning system 385) to support signal relaying performance of the payload 300 (e.g., while the signal path 405 is activated, over a duration of time during which the satellite 120-b traverses a portion of the orbital path 420). For example, the satellite 120-b can turn the direction 415 from the satellite 120-b, which can correspond to an outward direction from the side 215, a positive z-direction of the satellite 120-b, the axis 245, the axis 255, or a combination thereof.

[0104] In some implementations, the satellite 120-b can be aligned in an anti-nadir orientation during such modes, such that the positioning and turning system 385 is configured to orient the direction 415 toward the center of the Earth as the satellite traverses along the orbital path 420. In some other implementations, turning the direction 415 can be based on a combination of the location of the gateway antenna system 131-a and the location of the antenna assembly 151-a (e.g., in combination with the location of the satellite 120-b). For example, the direction 415 (e.g., the orientation of the satellite 120-b) can be determined (e.g., at the satellite 120-b, at a network controller of the ground segment 101) based on beam performance (such as roll-off characteristics of the reception array 240-a and the transmission array 250-a or differences between the reception array and the transmission array) or transmission and reception capabilities of a target device (e.g., the antenna assembly 151-a, the gateway antenna system 131-a). In some examples, the direction 415 can be continuously computed as an angle between the beam direction 127-c-l and the beam direction 127-c-2 (e.g., bisecting the angle) as the satellite 120-b traverses the orbital path 420, which can mitigate scan angles of the beamforming networks 320 and 340 and improve signal integrity (e.g., by maintaining θι equal to θ2, or within a threshold difference of θ2, or selecting θι and θ2 to support the same or similar scan roll-off characteristics).

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

[0106] In some examples, determining the orientation of the satellite 120-b can further include rotating the satellite 120-b about a central axis of the satellite 120-b (e.g., about the z-direction, about the direction 415). For example, the control system 360 can configure the positioning and steering system 385 to rotate the satellite 120-b about the z-direction (e.g., about the direction 415) based on antenna parameters (e.g., directionality of the receive array 240, the transmit array 250 along the x-direction, along the y-direction, or both), or can determine the orientation of the satellite 120-b to improve collection of energy using the solar element 230, among other examples.

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

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

[0109] The satellite 120-c can have a generally prismatic shape and can be described with reference to the x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction of the coordinate system 500. The satellite 120-c can include a main body portion 510 having sides (e.g., faces, which can be flat or curved) that can include side 511, side 512, side 513, side 514, side 515, and side 516. While in some examples the sides of the satellite 120-c can be orthogonal, in some other examples, the sides of the satellite 120-c can be in different orientations, such as in a satellite 120-c having trapezoidal prismatic properties, a long oblong prismatic shape, a hexagonal prismatic shape, or other shapes.

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

[0111] Satellite 120-c can support wireless communications between ground terminals, for example, by using receive array 540 (e.g., an uplink array, a panel array, a direct radiating array) to receive uplink signaling (e.g., forward uplink signaling, return uplink signaling, uplink signals 132, uplink signals 173) and transmit array 550 (e.g., a downlink array, a panel array, a direct radiating array) to transmit downlink signaling (e.g., forward downlink signaling, return downlink signaling, downlink signals 172, downlink signals 133). For example, receive array 540 can be configured to receive signaling from ground terminals, and transmit array 550 can be configured to transmit signaling to ground terminals.

[0112] Satellite 120-c can also support wireless communications with or via other satellites 120 or satellites 180, for example, by using receive array 560 (e.g., a cross-link receive array) to receive cross-link signaling, and in some examples, using transmit array 550 (e.g., as a combined downlink and cross-link array) to transmit cross-link signaling. For example, satellite 120-c can use transmit array 550 as a downlink array (e.g., to transmit downlink signals), and additionally or alternatively can use the same transmit array 550 as a cross-link transmit array (e.g., for transmitting signals 175, for transmitting signals 183 to satellite 180 as GEO links). Using transmit array 550 as both a downlink array and a cross-link transmit array can allow satellite 120-c to communicate cross-link signals without including a dedicated cross-link transmit array, thereby including a single high-power transmit array. Because signal transmission can be associated with relatively high power usage, using a single transmit array 550 can thus allow satellite 120-c to operate according to reduced power consumption or decreased heat generation, and have reduced cost, reduced weight, reduced complexity, and improved packaging considerations compared to a satellite 120 with a dedicated cross-link transmit array. Additionally, using a single transmit array 550 can improve or simplify the design of satellite 120-c by allowing greater flexibility in arranging (e.g., affixing) components such as receive array 540, transmit array 550, and receive array 560.

[0113] The receive array 540, the transmit array 550, and the receive array 560 can be physically arranged on the satellite 120-c (e.g., located on the satellite, fixed to the satellite) to support effective communication of beam signals (e.g., via beams 125) with user terminals 150, gateway terminals 130, and other satellites 120 or satellites 180. For example, both the receive array 540 and the transmit array 550 can be located on a side 515 of the satellite 120-c, and the receive array 560 can be located on a side 516 of the satellite 120-c (e.g., a second side of the satellite 120-c, opposite the side of the satellite 120-c that includes the receive array 540 and the transmit array 550), or on another side (e.g., side 511, side 512, side 513, side 514) of the satellite 120-c that is different from the side that includes the receive array 540 and the transmit array 550 (e.g., to provide a second side of the satellite 120-c for signal reception).

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

[0115] To support communication with the ground segment 101 using the receive array 540, the transmit array 550, or both, the satellite 120-c can be oriented such that the side 515 (e.g., a nominal direction of the side 515, an axis of the side 515, a positive z-direction of the satellite 120-c) is aligned toward the Earth (e.g., toward a service area, toward a location of a service area). Additionally or alternatively, to support communication with one or more other satellites 120 or satellites 180 using the receive array 560, the transmit array 550, or both, the satellite 120-c can be oriented such that the side 515, the side 516, or both, are generally aligned toward the other satellite 120 or satellite 180 (e.g., within a scan range of a beamformer of the associated array).

[0116] Receive array 540, transmit array 550, and receive array 560 can each be associated with an axis (e.g., a nominal axis, a boresight axis, a boresight direction, an outward direction), which can be a nominal direction of the respective array. In some examples, such a nominal direction can be associated with a direction of peak gain capability of the array (e.g., a direction of maximum radiated power, a direction of maximum receive sensitivity, a direction of minimum distortion). For example, receive array 540 can be associated with axis 545, and transmit array 550 can be associated with axis 555, each of which can be aligned along a positive z-direction from satellite 120-c (e.g., along a direction fixed relative to body portion 510, along a direction from side 515, along a parallel direction). Thus, aligning receive array 540, transmit array 550, or both toward a target can be associated with orienting satellite 120-c such that the positive z-direction is aligned toward the target. Additionally, receive array 560 can be associated with axis 565, which can be aligned along a negative z-direction from satellite 120-c (e.g., a direction parallel to axis 545, a direction parallel to axis 555, a direction different from axis 545 and axis 555). In some implementations, aligning receive array 560 toward a target (e.g., a second target, along a second target direction) can additionally or alternatively be associated with orienting satellite 120-c such that the negative z-direction is aligned toward the target.

[0117] Accordingly, satellite 120-c illustrates an example in which receive array 540 (e.g., axis 545) and transmit array 550 (e.g., axis 545) can be oriented along one direction, while receive array 560 (e.g., axis 565) can be oriented along a different direction, providing an additional degree of flexibility for determining the orientation of beam 125. Although in the example of satellite 120-c, the direction of axis 565 is separated from the direction of axes 545 and 555 by 180 degrees (e.g., pointing in the opposite direction), in some other examples in accordance with the described techniques, the direction of axis 565 can be separated from the direction of axes 545 and 555 by a different angle, such as 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 120 degrees, 135 degrees, etc. (e.g., as a fixed separation angle between the arrays). Further, such techniques can be supported by faces or attached antenna element arrays of satellite 120 that are not flat, such as having one or more curved arrays or other shaped arrays associated with axes 545, 555, and 565 (e.g., for a satellite 120 having one or more curved surfaces, such as a cylindrical or spherical surface). Moreover, although in the example of satellite 120-c, axis 545 and axis 555 are parallel, in some other examples, the directions of axis 545 and axis 555 can be separated by a fixed angle, such as 10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, or some other fixed angle (e.g., between the outward directions of the sides of satellite 120, between the nominal directions of curved arrays of satellite 120).

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

[0119] For examples in which the first frequency range is relatively higher than the second frequency range, the receive array 540 can be relatively smaller than the transmit array 550, which can be associated with relatively shorter wavelengths of the relatively higher frequencies. Likewise, for examples in which the third frequency range is a relatively lower portion of the second frequency range, the receive array 560 can be relatively larger than the transmit array 550 (e.g., for relatively improved cross-link reception sensitivity), which can be associated with relatively longer wavelengths of the relatively lower frequencies. However, in various other implementations, such relative size determinations or quantities of antenna elements can be reversed or otherwise different between the receive array 540, the transmit array 550, and the receive array 560 (e.g., depending on the relative frequencies supported by the respective arrays). Additionally or alternatively, relative size determinations or quantities of antenna elements can be balanced between the receive array 540, the transmit array 550, and the receive array 560 based on other criteria, such as via link balancing or biasing by the satellite 120-c (e.g., balancing performance characteristics between forward link communications and return link communications, biasing performance characteristics to support relatively higher forward link throughput, balancing performance characteristics between gateway terminals and user terminals, such as associated antenna characteristics) and other balancing.

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

[0121] The receive system (e.g., receive antenna system, uplink antenna system, receive system including receive array 540, cross-link receive antenna system, receive system including receive array 560) of satellite 120-c can support reception of beam signals (e.g., uplink signals 132, uplink signals 173, cross-link signals 175, signals 183, received via beams 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 a combination thereof). For example, receive array 540 can include one or more receive elements (e.g., receive antenna elements, receive feed elements) located on side 515 that are configured to receive signaling from target devices, and receive array 560 can include one or more receive elements located on side 516 that are configured to receive signaling from target devices.

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

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

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

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

[0126] In some implementations, one or more receive systems of satellite 120-c can include a first beamforming network coupled with outputs of a set of first antenna element ports (e.g., associated with receive array 540), which can 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 can 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), which can route the beam signal to a transmit system, such as a transmit system including transmit array 550. In some implementations, one or more receive systems can also include a second beamforming network coupled with outputs of a set of second antenna element ports (e.g., associated with receive array 540), which can 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 (e.g., a return link beam signal) associated with a second polarization to, for example, a transponder (e.g., to a return link transponder, to a return link signal path, to a portion of a transponder system), which can route the beam signal to a transmit system, such as a transmit system including transmit array 550. In some implementations, a receive system can also include a third beamforming network coupled with outputs of a set of third antenna element ports (e.g., associated with receive 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 (e.g., a cross-link beam signal) associated with a cross-link polarization to, for example, a transponder (e.g., to a cross-link signal path, to a portion of a transponder system), which can route the beam signal to a transmit system, such as a transmit system including transmit array 550.

[0127] A transmit system (e.g., a transmit antenna system, a combined cross-link / downlink antenna system, a transmit system including transmit array 550) of satellite 120-c can support transmitting beam signals (e.g., downlink signals 133, downlink signals 172, cross-link signals 175, transmitted via beams 125) to one or more target devices, such as one or more user terminals 150, one or more gateway terminals 130, or a combination thereof. For example, transmit array 550 can include one or more transmit elements (e.g., transmit antenna elements, transmit feed elements) located on side 515 that are configured to transmit signaling to a target device. A transmit antenna element can include a physical transducer that converts electrical signals (e.g., electrical component signals) to electromagnetic signals (e.g., electromagnetic component signals).

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

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

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

[0131] In some examples, the transmit array 550 can transmit signaling according to a first polarization associated with forward link communications (e.g., signaling to user terminals 150) and cross-link communications (e.g., to another satellite 120, to satellite 180) and a second polarization associated with return link communications (e.g., signaling to gateway terminals 130), in which case the first polarization can be orthogonal to the second polarization. For example, the first polarization can be an example of LHCP, and the second polarization can be an example of RHCP. Additionally or alternatively, the first polarization and the second polarization can be linear polarizations, such as the first polarization having a vertical polarization and the second polarization having a horizontal polarization. In some implementations, the transmit array 550 can implement the same polarization as the receive array 540 and the receive array 560 for forward communications and cross-link communications (e.g., implement LHCP for forward links or cross-links), and implement the same polarization as the receive array 540 for return communications (e.g., implement RHCP for return links). In some other implementations, the transmit array 550 can implement a different polarization than the receive array 540 or the receive array 560 or both for forward communications or for return communications or both.

[0132] In some implementations, satellite 120-c can include additional components to support wireless communications with gateway terminal 130, user terminal 150, other satellites 120 or satellite 180, and other devices. For example, satellite 120-c can include patch antennas 584 (e.g., S-band patch antennas), omni antennas 582 (e.g., omni antennas), or both, which can support communications (e.g., transmit control signaling, receive control signaling) in a limited frequency range (e.g., between 2 GHz and 4 GHz, non-overlapping or otherwise distinct from receive array 540, transmit array 550, and receive array 560). In some examples, one or more of such antennas can transmit control signaling (e.g., via a control frequency band), such as scheduling information, orbital adjustment information, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, patch antennas 584, omni antennas 582, or both, can support transmitting or receiving signals 182, receiving uplink signals 132, receiving uplink signals 173, transmitting downlink signals 133, transmitting downlink signals 172, transmitting or receiving cross-link signals 175, or any combination thereof, among other examples. In some examples, patch antennas 584, omni antennas 582, or both, can be located on a different side of satellite 120-c than receive array 540 and transmit array 550, such as side 511 or side 516 (e.g., opposite receive array 540 and transmit array 550).

[0133] In some implementations, satellite 120-c can include a tracking system 580 (e.g., a star tracker) to support detecting telemetry information for satellite 120-c. For example, tracking system 580 can measure a position of a star or other object to determine a location of satellite 120-c, a velocity of satellite 120-c, an orientation of satellite 120-c, or any combination thereof. In some examples, satellite 120-c can use characteristics of satellite 120-c determined by tracking system 580 to determine or calculate an orbital path or other telemetry information, and can transmit telemetry information (e.g., using a telemetry beacon) or can use telemetry information to control an orientation of satellite 120-c (e.g., using an angular momentum system) or to determine respective directions for one or more beams 125, among other implementations. Tracking system 580 can be located on a face of satellite 120-c that is different from a face that includes receive array 540, transmit array 550, or receive array 560, such as on side 512.

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

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

[0136] Although in some examples, the receive array 540 and the transmit array 550 can be configured for communication with a terminal of a ground segment, the receive array 540 and the transmit array 550 can additionally or alternatively be configured for communication with or via another satellite, such as another satellite 120 or another satellite 180. For example, to support aspects of a GEO link, the satellite 120-c can support wireless communication by receiving signals 183 using the receive array 240, or transmitting signals 183 using the transmit array 250, or both (e.g., via respective beams 125). In some examples, such techniques can be supported by aligning the positive z-direction of the satellite 120-c toward the satellite 180 (e.g., a geosynchronous satellite, for at least a portion of an orbital path of the satellite 120-c).

[0137] Figure 6 An example of a payload 600 that supports techniques for NGSO satellite communication systems is shown in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The payload 600 can be implemented in a satellite 120, such as the satellite 120-c described with reference to Figure 5A and Figure 5B The payload 600 can include a receive system 605 (e.g., a receive subsystem, a receive antenna system), a transmit system 615 (e.g., a transmit subsystem, a transmit antenna system), and a transponder system 610 (e.g., a transponder subsystem, a set of transponders, a set of signal paths, a set of beam signal paths) coupled with the receive system 605 and the transmit system 615. Although the receive system 605, the transponder system 610, and the transmit system 615 are provided with illustrative boundaries, constituent components can be differently distributed among other systems or subsystems in accordance with described techniques.

[0138] The payload 600 can support relaying beam signals (e.g., signals associated with one or more beams 125) with a terminal of the ground segment 101 or between such terminals (e.g., between the gateway terminal 130 and the user terminal 150), with one or more other satellites (e.g., another satellite 120, satellite 180) or between one or more other satellites, or a combination thereof. For example, the receive system 605 can include a receive subsystem 607-a (e.g., an uplink receive subsystem) that can include a receive array 540-a and that can include or otherwise be coupled with a port 606 (e.g., ports 606-a and 606-b, an output port, an uplink port). The receive array 540-a can include one or more antenna elements (e.g., receive elements) located on a side of the satellite 120, such as the side 515. In some examples, the receive subsystem 607-a can be configured for reception within a first frequency range (e.g., an uplink frequency range, 81 GHz - 86 GHz). The receive subsystem 607-a can be operable to obtain and output, via the ports 606-a and 606-b, one or more beam signals (e.g., signals of respective beams 125, uplink beam signals, receive beam signals) based on component signals received via the antenna elements of the receive array 540-a.

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

[0140] Transmit system 615 can include transmit array 550-a and port 616 (e.g., an input port). In some examples, ports 616-a and 616-b can be downlink ports (e.g., allocated to downlink transmission, one for forward beam signals and one for return beam signals), and port 616-c can be a cross-link port (e.g., allocated to cross-link transmission, for cross-link transmission beam signals). In some examples, signals from port 612-b and port 612-c can be combined to be conveyed along a single signal path of transmit system 615 (e.g., provided to a single shared beamforming network 640-b). For example, when such combination is considered to be included in transmit system 615, signal paths from ports 616-b and 616-c can be combined via coupler 621-d of transmit system 615. In some other examples, such combination can be considered to be included in a transponder system, in which case at least coupler 612-d can alternatively be included in transponder system 610, and transponder system 610 can be considered to have two ports 612 (e.g., one corresponding to the illustrated port 612-a, and one corresponding to the combination of the illustrated ports 612-b and 612-c). In these and other examples, transmit system 615 can be considered to include two ports 618 (e.g., two input ports, two beam signal ports), illustrated as ports 618-a and 618-b. In some examples, port 618-a can be a port dedicated to conveying downlink signals (e.g., return downlink beam signals), and port 618-b can be a shared port operable to convey downlink beam signals (e.g., forward downlink beam signals) or cross-link beam signals (e.g., along a forward link or a return link), or both.

[0141] The transmit array 550-a can include one or more antenna elements (e.g., transmit elements) located on a side of the satellite 120, such as the side 515 (e.g., the same side as the antenna elements of the receive array 540-a). The transmit system 615 can be operable to obtain (e.g., via the port 616, via the port 618) and transmit beam signals (e.g., signals of respective beams 125, downlink beam signals, cross-link beam signals) based on component signals transmitted via the antenna elements of the transmit array 550-a. In some examples, the transmit system 615 can be configured for transmitting in a third frequency range (e.g., 66 GHz - 76 GHz) or another frequency range that does not overlap the first frequency range and includes the second frequency range. For example, the third frequency range can include a frequency range allocated for cross-link transmissions (e.g., 66 GHz - 71 GHz) and another frequency range allocated for downlink transmissions (e.g., 71 GHz - 76 GHz). Thus, the transmit array 550-a can be configured for a bandwidth (e.g., 10 GHz) that is greater than the bandwidth of the receive array 540-a and the receive array 560-a (e.g., 5 GHz). Such ranges can be allocated as contiguous (e.g., in a contiguous 10 GHz bandwidth), which can provide relatively improved antenna characteristics as compared to when such ranges are not contiguous (e.g., span a bandwidth greater than 10 GHz).

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

[0143] The payload 600 can be operable to support different modes (e.g., signaling modes, communication modes, relay modes, signal path modes, signal routing modes, beam signal modes) or combinations of modes for relaying beam signals. Such modes and other operations of the satellite 120 including the payload 600 can be controlled (e.g., configured, coordinated, initiated) at least in part by a control system 660 of the payload, which can be coupled with at least the reception system 605, the repeater system 610, and the transmission system 615 to configure one or more aspects of the respective components. For example, the control system 660 can support managing beamforming networks (e.g., the beamforming network 620, the beamforming network 640), activating and deactivating signal paths of the repeater system 610, managing satellite alignment (e.g., aligning the satellite 120 toward a target, altering an orbital path of the satellite 120), and other operations. The control system 660 can include any number of one or more processors, which can include processors that are co-located within the payload 600 or distributed throughout the payload 600. Any one or more of such processors can be configured (e.g., individually configured, collectively configured, configured by software, configured by firmware, configured by hardware, or any combination thereof) to cause the satellite 120 (e.g., the payload 600) to perform various operations described herein.

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

[0145] Antenna elements of receive array 540-a can output respective first component signals (e.g., electrical component signals, associated with a first polarization) to beamforming network 620-a (e.g., via respective output ports), and in some examples, respective second component signals (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 receive subsystem 607-a configured to support directional reception of a single respective beam 125 for each of the different polarizations supported by receive array 540-a. Antenna elements of receive array 560-a can output respective component signals to beamforming network 620-c. For at least some, if not all, of the respective antenna elements, beamforming network 620 can apply gain, phase adjustment, time adjustment, or any combination thereof to the component signals according to the direction of beamforming (e.g., the direction of a receive beam 125 according to receive beam weights 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 can include an output 622 (e.g., a single output, an output 622-a corresponding to an output for return link uplink beam signals, an output 622-b corresponding to an output for forward link uplink beam signals, an output 622-c corresponding to an output for cross-link beam signals) that can be configured to output a receive beam signal to transponder system 610 (e.g., via port 606-a, 606-b, or 606-c). In some examples, output 622 can be configured to output a receive beam signal within the same frequency range as the component signals received. In some examples, output 622 can be supported by activation (e.g., by control system 660) of a respective amplifier 665 (e.g., amplifier 665-a, amplifier 665-b, amplifier 665-c).

[0147] The repeater system 610 can include various signal paths between the port 611 and the port 612. For example, the repeater system 610 can include a first signal path between the port 611-b and the port 612-b (e.g., for forward uplink-to-downlink relaying), a second signal path between the port 611-c and the port 612-b (e.g., for forward crosslink-to-downlink relaying), a third signal path between the port 611-b and the port 612-c (e.g., for forward uplink-to-crosslink relaying), a fourth signal path between the port 611-c and the port 612-c (e.g., for crosslink-to-crosslink relaying), a fifth signal path between the port 611-a and the port 612-c (e.g., for return uplink-to-crosslink relaying), a sixth signal path between the port 611-c and the port 612-a (e.g., for return crosslink-to-downlink relaying), and a seventh signal path between the port 611-a and the port 612-a (e.g., for return uplink-to-downlink relaying), at least some of which can be supported concurrently by the repeater system 610 (e.g., for multi-directional relaying).

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

[0149] In some examples, the repeater system 610 can include one or more couplers 621 (e.g., signal path junctions) that support passing at least a portion of one or more signals input to the coupler 621 through an output of the coupler 621 (e.g., providing a coupling between components). For example, the coupler 621-a can pass a signal from the output 628-d-l, a signal from the port 611-a, or both, to the frequency translator 625-a (e.g., an uplink-to-IF frequency translator). The coupler 621-b can pass a signal from the output 628-d-2, a signal from the port 611-b, or both, to the frequency translator 625-b (e.g., an uplink-to-IF frequency translator). The coupler 621-c can pass a signal from the output 628-a-2, a signal from the output 628-b-2, or both, to the frequency translator 636 (e.g., an IF-to-crosslink frequency translator). The coupler 621-d can pass a signal from the output 628-d-3 or a signal from the frequency translator 636, or both, to the port 612-c (e.g., to the beamforming network 640-b via the input 642-b). The coupler 621 can include one or more switches (e.g., operable using the control system 660) to support relaying signals, or can support addition (e.g., summation) of signals, or both, among other examples. In some examples, a signal from a single component coupled with the coupler 621 can be passed by the coupler 621 due to one or more other components coupled with the coupler 621 being disabled (e.g., deactivated, powered off).

[0150] Each signal path of the transponder system 610 can be coupled (e.g., directly coupled, or coupled via the amplifier 665 where applicable) with one of the output terminals 622, and can be operable to receive a receive beam signal (e.g., via the port 611) from the beamforming network 620. In some implementations, the transponder system 610 can include one or more frequency conversions between the port 611 and the port 612. For example, the transponder system 610 can downconvert a receive beam signal (e.g., an uplink beam signal, from the receive subsystem 607-a) from a first frequency range (e.g., an uplink frequency range, 81 GHz - 86 GHz) to an IF range to generate an IF signal using a frequency converter 625 (e.g., a downconverter, a frequency converter 625-a, a frequency converter 625-b) that receives the receive beam signal and converts a frequency for the IF signal to the IF frequency range. In some examples, the IF frequency range can be 11 GHz - 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 can receive (e.g., from the switch component 626-c, from the input terminal 627-c-2) an oscillator signal having a first oscillator frequency (e.g., 70 GHz, to convert from the 81 GHz - 86 GHz range to the 11 GHz - 16 GHz range) such as from the frequency generator 630, and can output the IF signal having a frequency corresponding to a difference between the frequency of the receive beam signal and the first oscillator frequency.

[0151] Additionally or alternatively, the transponder system 610 can downconvert a receive beam signal (e.g., a cross-link beam signal, from the receive subsystem 607-b) from a second frequency range (e.g., a cross-link frequency range, 66 GHz - 71 GHz) to the IF frequency range to generate an IF signal using a frequency converter 625 that receives the second receive beam signal and converts a frequency for the second IF signal to the IF frequency range. In some cases, to support such frequency conversion, the frequency converter 625 can receive (e.g., from the switch component 626-c, from the input terminal 627-c-l) an oscillator signal having a second oscillator frequency (e.g., 55 GHz, to convert from the 66 GHz - 71 GHz range to the 11 GHz - 16 GHz range) such as from the frequency generator 630, and can output the second IF signal having a frequency corresponding to a difference between the frequency of the second receive beam signal and the second oscillator frequency.

[0152] In some examples, the payload 600 can be considered a processed payload, and can include circuitry for processing techniques such as analog-to-digital conversion, sampling, demodulation, signal extraction, de-multiplexing, channelization, multiplexing, signal insertion, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, and other processing techniques. In some such examples, such processing techniques can be implemented on the IF signals between the frequency converter 625 and the frequency converters 636 and 655. The processing of the payload can include processing in the analog domain, processing in the digital domain, or both. In some other examples, the payload can be considered a non-processed payload (e.g., in a bent pipe payload configuration), and the IF signals can be forwarded through the forwarder system 610 without such processing techniques.

[0153] Along various signal paths, the forwarder system 610 can also upconvert the IF signals from the IF frequency range to another frequency range, such as a downlink frequency range to generate a downlink beam signal (e.g., a return link downlink beam signal, a forward link downlink beam signal), or to a cross-link frequency range to generate a cross-link beam signal. For example, the forwarder system 610 can include a frequency converter 635 (e.g., an upconverter, frequency converters 635-a and 635-b) that receives the IF signals and converts the frequency for a downlink beam signal to a fourth frequency range (e.g., a downlink frequency range). In some examples, the fourth frequency range can be 71 GHz - 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 frequency range and the fourth frequency range can not overlap, which can support aspects of the receive system 605 and the transmit system 615 (e.g., antenna elements, signal processing hardware) being configured according to different operating frequencies, and avoid cross-talk between the transmit system 615 and the receive system 605. In some cases, to support such frequency conversion, the frequency converter 635 can receive an oscillator signal having a third oscillator frequency (e.g., 60 GHz, to convert from the 11 GHz - 16 GHz range to the 71 GHz - 76 GHz range) such as from the frequency generator 630 (e.g., from the oscillator 680-a), and can output a downlink beam signal (e.g., via port 612-a or 612-b) corresponding to a frequency that is a sum of the frequency of the IF signal and the third oscillator frequency.

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

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

[0156] In some examples, the input 642 can be configured to receive a downlink beam signal, or a cross-link beam signal, or both, in the same frequency range as the component signals to be transmitted. In some examples, the input 642 can be supported by activating an associated amplifier 670. For at least some, if not all, of the antenna elements of the transmit array 550-a, the beamforming network 640 can apply a respective gain, a respective phase adjustment, a respective time adjustment, or any combination thereof, to the beam signal to generate a component signal (e.g., a return link component signal, a forward link component signal, a cross-link component signal) for the antenna element. Such component signals can be provided to the antenna element (e.g., to a respective first input port of the antenna element) so that the transmit array 550-a can transmit a downlink beam signal, a cross-link beam signal, or a combination thereof, according to a direction of the beamforming (e.g., a direction of a transmit beam 125 according to transmit 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 circuits), or a combination of one or more oscillators 680 and one or more frequency converters 675, among 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 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 having a third oscillator frequency (e.g., 60 GHz) (e.g., output to frequency converter 635-a, frequency converter 635-b, frequency converter 675-a, and frequency converter 675-b). Oscillator 680-b can be configured to generate and output an oscillator signal having a fourth frequency (e.g., 5 GHz) (e.g., output to a frequency multiplier, such as 681, or to frequency converter 675-a). In some other examples, frequency generator 630 can include three oscillators 680 that directly generate oscillator signals at respective frequencies (e.g., 70 GHz, 60 GHz, and 55 GHz) for frequency converters 625, 635, and 636.

[0158] Oscillator 680-b can be used by frequency generator 630 to generate an oscillator signal of a further frequency. For example, frequency generator 630 can include frequency translator 675-a, which can generate and output an oscillator signal having a second oscillator frequency (e.g., to switch component 626-c) that is equal to a difference of the frequencies of oscillator 680-a and oscillator 680-b (e.g., 55 GHz, as a difference between the third oscillator frequency and the fourth oscillator frequency, as a difference between 60 GHz and 5 GHz). Frequency generator 630 can also include frequency translator 675-b, which can generate and output an oscillator signal having a first oscillator frequency (e.g., to switch component 626-c) that is equal to a sum of the frequency of oscillator 680-a and a multiple of the frequency of oscillator 680-b (e.g., 70 GHz, as a sum of the third oscillator frequency and twice the fourth oscillator frequency, as a sum of 60 GHz and 2 x 5 GHz). More generally, frequency generator 630 can be operable to generate any number of oscillator signals having frequencies that are equal to the first oscillator frequency plus or minus an integer multiple of the second oscillator frequency. 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 in accordance with the described techniques, such as including a separate oscillator 680 for each oscillator frequency used by frequency translators 625, 635, or 636 (e.g., omitting frequency translators 675 and multiplier 681), among other implementations.

[0159] The payload 600 can include or can implement a positioning and steering system 685 that can manage operations related to modifying orbital characteristics of the satellite 120 including the payload 600, such as modifying an orbital path of the satellite 120 (e.g., a velocity along the orbital path, an altitude of the orbital path, a heading of the orbital path) or an orientation of the satellite 120 (e.g., for steering the satellite 120 along the orbital path, for determining an orientation of the axis 545 of the receive array 540-a, for determining an orientation of the axis 555 of the transmit array 550-a, for determining an orientation of the axis 565 of the receive array 560-a, for determining an orientation of the side 515 of the satellite 120, for determining an orientation of the side 516 of the satellite 120, or a combination thereof). For example, the positioning and steering system 685 can include a thruster 586 that is operated, at least in part, by the control system 660 to modify the orbital path of the satellite 120. Additionally or alternatively, the positioning and steering system 685 can include an angular momentum system, such as a reaction wheel, a CMG, or both. The control system 660 can implement the angular momentum system (e.g., to steer the satellite 120 by converting between angular momentum and electrical energy) to adjust the orientation of the satellite 120, for example, to support improved communications of the beam signals.

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

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

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

[0163] Accordingly, the payload 600 illustrates an example for supporting communications with the receive system 605, the repeater system 610, and the transmit system 615 having specific ports allocated to specific types of communications and thus specific types of signaling characteristics. For example, the receive system 605 (e.g., its subsystem 607) can be configured for an uplink frequency range (e.g., 81 GHz - 86 GHz) and a crosslink frequency range (e.g., 66 GHz - 71 GHz), and the transmit system 615 can be configured for a downlink frequency range (e.g., 71 GHz - 76 GHz) and a crosslink frequency range (e.g., as a combined range of 66 GHz - 76 GHz, using a common transmit array 550-a). The orthogonality of the different ports between forward communications, return communications, and crosslink communications at the receive system 605 and the transmit system 615 can be provided by orthogonal polarizations, such as allocating RHCP to return communications and LHCP to forward communications and crosslink communications. Accordingly, in some examples, the repeater system 610 can include a single signal path for forward communications between the receive system 605 and the transmit system 615 that includes a net frequency conversion from the uplink frequency range to the downlink frequency range and maintains a forward link polarization, and a single signal path for return communications between the receive system 605 and the transmit system 615 that includes a net frequency conversion from the uplink frequency range to the downlink frequency range and maintains a return link polarization association. The payload 600 also illustrates an example for implementing a single input (e.g., port 660-c, port 611-c, for crosslink reception) and a single output (e.g., port 612-c, port 616-c, for crosslink transmission) for obtaining a crosslink beam signal, and a mapping of such input and output for various relays and associated signal characteristic conversions between uplink, downlink, and crosslink signaling. Such a configuration can provide an efficient means for one-way or multi-way forward and return signal relaying in a satellite 120 (e.g., satellite 120-c) that includes the payload 600, including such relaying that can involve crosslink signaling with another satellite 120 or satellite 180.

[0164] In some examples, the gains for the forward link transponder (e.g., between output 622-a and input 642-a), return link transponder (e.g., between output 622-b and input 642-b), and cross-link transponder (e.g., between output 622-c and input 642-c) for payload 600 can be different and configured based on respective signaling characteristics. For example, amplifier 665-a can be configured with a gain based on a transmit power of antenna assembly 151, amplifier 665-b can have a gain based on a transmit power of gateway antenna system 131, and amplifier 665-c can have a gain based on a transmit power of satellite 120 or satellite 180. Further, amplifier 670-a can be configured with a gain based on a receive sensitivity of gateway antenna system 131, amplifier 670-b can have a gain based on a receive sensitivity of antenna assembly 151, and amplifier 670-c can have a gain based on a receive sensitivity of satellite 120 or satellite 180. In some examples, such gains can be biased to favor a particular type of communication over another communication. For example, the forward link transponder can be configured with a gain that is relatively higher or lower than the return link transponder (e.g., within a given power constraint of satellite 120 including payload 300), among other examples. Although amplifiers 665 are shown as components of receive system 605, and amplifiers 670 are shown as components of transmit system 615, in some other examples, amplifiers 665, amplifiers 670, or both, can be considered components of transponder system 610, or otherwise support configuration of a net gain for a given signal path of payload 600 for a particular type of communication with a particular type of device.

[0165] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the configuration of the scan angle between beamforming network 620 and beamforming network 640 can be different, such as between any combination of uplink, downlink, or cross-link communications, between forward communications and return communications, or a combination thereof, or other differences in various aspects of link balancing or biasing. For example, payload 600 can be configured for relaying signaling with gateway terminal 130 within a relatively smaller portion of a service area, rather than being configured for relaying signaling with user terminals 150, which can be associated with reduced scan loss when communicating with gateway terminal 130. In such examples, beamforming network 620-a, beamforming network 640-b, or both, can be configured according to a first scan angle range, and beamforming network 620-b, beamforming network 640-a, or both, can be configured according to a second scan angle range that is greater than the first scan angle range. In some examples, the scan angle for 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] Accordingly, in some such examples, communication system 100 can be configured such that an axis 545, axis 555, or both, of satellite 120 including payload 600 can be more closely aligned with gateway terminal 130 than with user terminals 150 served by gateway terminal 130. In some examples, to support communications via coverage areas of gateway terminal 130, satellite 120 including payload 600 can be configured to be oriented with the positive z-direction toward a location of a coverage area that is within a first angular separation range from a direction of gateway terminal 130. With such an orientation, satellite 120 can support communications with one or more user terminals 150 that are each located along a respective other direction that is within a second angular separation range from the positive z-direction, where the second angular separation range can be greater than the first angular separation range.

[0167] Figures 7A to 7GAn example of payload implementations 700 that support techniques for NGSO satellite communication systems is shown in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. Each of the payload implementations 700 can be supported by a satellite 120-d including examples of the payload 600 (e.g., some components are omitted for clarity of presentation). The payload 600 can support one or more operational modes for the satellite 120-d to relay communications between a gateway antenna system 131 (e.g., including a gateway terminal 130) and an antenna assembly 151 (e.g., of a user terminal 150), which can include cross-link relaying via one or more other satellites 120 or satellites 180 and other devices. To support such operational modes, the payload 600 can support one or more configurations (e.g., one or more signal path configurations, one or more relay configurations) that support return link signaling, forward link signaling, or a combination thereof. For example, the payload 600 can be configured to support signal paths 705 such that each of the signal paths 705 includes one of a pathway 730 (e.g., a single forward pathway), a pathway 735 (e.g., a single return pathway), or a pathway 740 (e.g., a single cross-link pathway), and some of the signal paths 705 also include a pathway 745 (e.g., a transmission pathway).

[0168] To support various configurations or combinations thereof, the satellite 120-d can be configured to determine its orientation along various directions (e.g., body turning, using the control system 660, using the positioning and turning system 685) to support signal relaying performance of the payload 600 (e.g., over a duration of time during which the satellite 120-d traverses a portion of the orbital path 720 when one or more signal paths 705 are activated). For example, the satellite 120-d can be configured to turn a direction 715 from the satellite 120-d, which can correspond to an outward direction from the side 515, a positive z-direction of the satellite 120-d, the axis 545, the axis 555, or a combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the satellite 120-d can be configured to turn a direction 716 from the satellite 120-d, which can correspond to an outward direction from the side 516, a negative z-direction of the satellite 120-d, the axis 565, or a combination thereof.

[0169] In some examples, satellite 120-d can be aligned with a nadir orientation such that positioning and steering system 685 is configured to orient direction 715 toward the center of the Earth or other angular orientation relative to the Earth as the satellite traverses along orbital path 720. In some other examples, positioning and steering system 685 can be configured to orient direction 715 toward target 710 as satellite 120-d traverses along orbital path 720 (e.g., to steer direction 715 toward target 710 as satellite 120-d traverses a portion of orbital path 720 between locations 725). In some examples, target 710 can be a fixed location (e.g., a ground location, a location within a service area associated with a set of one or more user terminals 150, a location within a service area associated with a set of one or more gateway terminals 130), and satellite 120-d can continuously or discontinuously (e.g., according to a plurality of discrete steering pulses) steer direction 715 toward target 710 between locations 725 of orbital path 720, among other examples. In some other examples, control system 660 can be configured to determine an orientation of satellite 120-d (e.g., direction 715, direction 716, or a combination thereof) relative to one or more target devices, which can be based on one or more of payload implementations 700 configured at 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 configurations based on information stored at satellite 120-d, such as information regarding communication allocations, terminal locations, characteristics of orbital path 720, information regarding target 710, among other information. In some examples, satellite 120-d can be configured by one or more controllers of ground segment 101, which can involve signaling one or more aspects of the above-described information from the ground segment to satellite 120-d (e.g., via uplink signals 132, signals 181, signals 183, signals 173, signals 175, or a combination thereof, signals received from gateway terminal 130 at an earlier point along orbital path 720, which can be relayed via another satellite 120 or satellite 180). For example, network device 141 or gateway terminal 130 (e.g., a network controller) can determine various aspects of the configuration of satellite 120-d to support one or more configurations for relaying signaling (e.g., forward signaling or return signaling, which can involve cross-link), and can configure satellite 120-d through signaling to satellite 120-d.

[0171] Figure 7AAn example of a payload implementation 700-a is shown that supports a first configuration (e.g., a forward uplink-to-downlink relay configuration) of the payload 600, which can include relay signaling from the gateway antenna system 131-b to the antenna assembly 151-b.

[0172] In the first configuration, the receive system 605 (e.g., the receive subsystem 607-a) can be configured to receive the uplink signal 132-b (e.g., a receive beam signal, a forward uplink signal, according to the uplink frequency range, according to the forward link polarization) from the gateway antenna system 131-b according to the beam 125-d-1 (e.g., a receive beam). The beam 125-d-1 can be formed using the beamforming network 620-b, which can be configured by the control system 660 (e.g., to implement receive beam weights at the beamforming network 620-b to align a directional reception along the beam direction 127-d-1 to generate the beam 125-d-1 according to a scan angle θ1 relative to the 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 the leg 730) of the repeater system 610 that couples the port 611-b with the port 612-b to route the beam signal from the receive system 605 to the transmit system 615. Such activation can include, for example, activating the beamforming network 620-b or the beamforming network 640-b, activating the amplifier 665-b or the amplifier 670-b, activating the ports 606-b, 611-b, 612-b, 616-b, 618-b, or connections therebetween, activating the leg 730, activating the frequency converters 625-b or 635-b, configuring the switch component 626-b to couple the input 627-b with the output 628-b-1, configuring the switch component 626-c to couple the input 627-c-2 with the output 628-c-2, or any combination thereof, among other activations. Thus, the signal path 705-a can implement frequency conversions of the 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] Accordingly, in the first configuration, the transmit system 615 can transmit a downlink signal 172-b (e.g., a transmit beam signal, a forward downlink signal, according to a downlink frequency range, according to a forward link polarization) to the antenna assembly 151-b, the downlink signal based at least in part on the uplink signal 132-b (e.g., including information of the uplink signal, a relay of the uplink signal). The transmit system 615 can transmit the downlink signal 172-b according to the beam 125-d-2 (e.g., a transmit beam). The beam 125-d-2 can be formed using the beamforming network 640-b, for example, which can be configured by the control system 660 (e.g., to implement transmit beam weights at the beamforming network 640-b, to direct a directional transmission along the beam direction 127-d-2, to generate the beam 125-d-2 according to the scan angle Q2).

[0175] In some implementations, the first configuration can be supported by steering the direction 715 toward the target 710-a (e.g., over a duration of the satellite 120-d traversing between the locations 725-a-l and 725-a-2). In some implementations, steering the satellite 120-d to support the first configuration can be based at least in part on a combination of the location of the gateway antenna system 131-b and the location of the antenna assembly 151-b (e.g., in combination with a location of the satellite 120-d). For example, the positioning and steering system 685 can be configured to steer the satellite 120-d based at least in part on an orientation of the direction 715 relative to the location of the gateway antenna system 131-b and the location of the antenna assembly 151-b. In some examples, the orientation for the direction 715 can be determined (e.g., at the satellite 120-d, at a network controller of the ground segment 101) based on beam performance (such as roll-off characteristics of the receive array 540-a and the transmit array 550-a or differences between the receive array and the transmit array) or transmit and receive capabilities of the target device (e.g., the antenna assembly 151-b, the gateway antenna system 131-b) or a combination thereof. In some examples, the orientation for the direction 715 can be continuously calculated as an angle between the beam direction 127-d-l and the beam direction 127-d-2 (e.g., bisecting the angle) as the satellite 120-d traverses the orbital path 720-a, which can mitigate scan angles of the beamforming networks 620 and 640 and improve signal integrity (e.g., by maintaining Ql equal to Q2, or within a threshold difference of Q2, or selecting Ql and Q2 to support the same or similar scan roll-off characteristics or otherwise balancing link characteristics).

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

[0177] In the second configuration, the receive system 605 (e.g., the receive subsystem 607-b) can be configured to receive, from the satellite 120-e, a cross-link signal 175-c (e.g., a forward cross-link signal, according to a cross-link frequency range, according to a cross-link polarization) according to a beam 125-e-1. The beam 125-e-1 can be formed using the beamforming network 620-c, which can be configured by the control system 660 (e.g., to implement receive beam weights at the beamforming network 620-c to align a directional reception along a beam direction 127-e-1 to generate the beam 125-e-1 according to a scan angle θ1 relative to the direction 716).

[0178] To support the second configuration, the control system 660 can also be configured to activate (e.g., enable, configure) a signal path 705-b (e.g., including the pathways 745-a and 730) of the repeater system 610 that couples the port 611-c with the port 612-b to route beam signals from the receive system 605 to the transmit system 615. Such activation can include, for example, activating the beamforming network 620-c or the beamforming network 640-b, activating the amplifier 665-c or the amplifier 670-b, activating the ports 606-c, 611-c, 612-b, 616-b, 618-b, or connections therebetween, activating the pathways 745-a and 730, activating the frequency converters 625-b or 635-b, configuring the switch element 626-b to couple the input 627-b with the output 628-b-1, configuring the switch element 626-c to couple the input 627-c-1 with the output 628-c-2, or any combination thereof, among other activations. Thus, the signal path 705-b can implement frequency conversions of the frequency converters 625-b and 635-b (e.g., to convert from the cross-link frequency range to the IF range, and from the IF range to the downlink frequency range).

[0179] Accordingly, in the second configuration, the transmit system 615 can transmit a downlink signal 172-c (e.g., a forward downlink signal, according to a downlink frequency range, according to a forward link polarization) to the antenna assembly 151-b, the downlink signal based at least in part on the cross-link signal 175-c. The transmit system 615 can transmit the downlink signal 172-c according to a beam 125-e-2. The beam 125-e-2 can be formed using the beamforming network 640-b, for example, which can be configured by the control system 660 (e.g., to implement transmit beam weights at the beamforming network 640-b to direct a directional transmission along a beam direction 127-e-2 to generate the beam 125-e-2 according to a scan angle Q2 relative to the direction 715).

[0180] In some implementations, the second configuration can be supported by steering the direction 715 toward the target 710-b (e.g., over a duration of the satellite 120-d traversing between points 725-b-l and 725-b-2). In some implementations, steering the satellite 120-d to support the second configuration can be based at least in part on a combination of a location of the satellite 120-e and a location of the antenna assembly 151-b (e.g., in combination with a location of the satellite 120-d). For example, the positioning and steering system 685 can be configured to steer the satellite 120-d based at least in part on an orientation of the direction 716 relative to the location of the satellite 120-e and based on an orientation of the direction 715 relative to the location of the antenna assembly 151-b. In some examples, the orientations for the directions 715 and 716 can be determined (e.g., at the satellite 120-d, at a network controller of the ground segment 101) based on beam performance (such as roll-off characteristics of the receive array 560-a and the transmit array 550-a or differences between the receive array and the transmit array) or transmit and receive capabilities of the target devices (e.g., the satellite 120-e, the antenna assembly 151-b) or a combination thereof. In some examples, the orientations for the directions 715 and 716 can be continuously calculated as the satellite 120-d traverses the orbital path 720-b, which can mitigate scan angles of the beamforming networks 620 and 640 and improve signal integrity (e.g., by maintaining Ql equal to Q2 or within a threshold difference of Q2 or selecting Ql and Q2 to support the same or similar scan roll-off characteristics or otherwise balancing link characteristics).

[0181] Figure 7C An example of a payload implementation 700-c is shown that supports a third configuration (e.g., a forward uplink-to-cross-link relay configuration) of the payload 600, which can include relay signaling from the gateway antenna system 131-b to the satellite 120-e (e.g., in a geostationary orbit or traversing along a NGSO).

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

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

[0184] Thus, in the third configuration, the transmitting system 615 can transmit, to the satellite 120-e, a cross-link signal 175-d (e.g., a forward cross-link signal, according to the cross-link frequency range, according to the cross-link polarization) that is based at least in part on the uplink signal 132-d. The transmitting system 615 can transmit the cross-link signal 175-d according to the beam 125-f-2. The beam 125-f-2 can be formed using the beamforming network 640-b, which can be configured by the control system 660 (e.g., to implement transmit beam weights at the beamforming network 640-b to align directional transmission along the beam direction 127-f-2 to generate the beam 125-f-2 according to the scan angle θ2 relative to the direction 715).

[0185] In some implementations, the third configuration can be supported by steering the direction 715 toward the target 710-c (e.g., over the duration of the satellite 120-d traversing between points 725-c-l and 725-c-2). In some implementations, steering the satellite 120-d to support the third configuration can be based at least in part on a combination of the location of the gateway antenna system 131-b and the location of the satellite 120-e (e.g., in combination with the location of the satellite 120-d). For example, the positioning and steering system 685 can be configured to steer the satellite 120-d based at least in part on an orientation of the direction 715 relative to the location of the gateway antenna system 131-b and the location of the satellite 120-e. In some examples, the orientation for the direction 715 can be determined (e.g., at the satellite 120-d, at a network controller of the ground segment 101) based on beam performance (such as roll-off characteristics of the receive array 540-a and the transmit array 550-a or differences between the receive array and the transmit array) or transmit and receive capabilities of the target devices (e.g., the gateway antenna system 131-b, the satellite 120-e), or a combination thereof. In some examples, the orientation for the direction 715 can be continuously calculated as an angle between the beam direction 127-d-l and the beam direction 127-d-2 (e.g., bisecting the angle) as the satellite 120-d traverses the orbital path 720-c, which can mitigate scan angles of the beamforming networks 620 and 640 and improve signal integrity (e.g., by maintaining θι equal to θ2, or within a threshold difference of θ2, or selecting θι and θ2 to support the same or similar scan roll-off characteristics or otherwise balance link characteristics).

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

[0187] In the fourth configuration, the receive system 605 (e.g., the receive subsystem 607-b) can be configured to receive a cross-link signal 175-e-l (e.g., a forward receive cross-link signal or a return receive cross-link signal, according to a cross-link frequency range, according to a cross-link polarization) from the satellite 120-e-l according to the beam 125-g-l. The beam 125-g-l can be formed using the beamforming network 620-c, which can be configured by the control system 660 (e.g., to implement receive beam weights at the beamforming network 620-c to align a directional reception along the beam direction 127-g-l, thereby generating the beam 125-g-l according to a scan angle θι relative to the direction 716).

[0188] To support the fourth configuration, the control system 660 can also be configured to activate (e.g., enable, configure) a signal path 705-d (e.g., including the pathway 740) of the transponder system 610 that couples the port 611-c with the port 612-c to route the beam signal from the receive system 605 to the transmit system 615. Such activation can include, for example, activating the beamforming network 620-c or the beamforming network 640-b, activating the amplifier 665-c or the amplifier 670-c, activating the ports 606-c, 611-c, 612-c, 616-c, 618-b, or connections therebetween, activating the pathway 740, or any combination thereof, among other activations. Thus, the signal path 705-d can be implemented without frequency conversion (e.g., maintaining the signaling within the cross-link frequency range).

[0189] Thus, in the fourth configuration, the transmit system 615 can transmit a cross-link signal 175-e-2 (e.g., a forward transmit cross-link signal, a return cross-link transmit signal, according to the cross-link frequency range, according to the cross-link polarization) to the satellite 120-e-2 that is based at least in part on the cross-link signal 175-e-1. The transmit system 615 can transmit the cross-link signal 175-e-2 according to a beam 125-g-2. The beam 125-g-2 can be formed using the beamforming network 640-b, for example, which can be configured by the control system 660 (e.g., to implement transmit beam weights at the beamforming network 640-b, to align a directional transmission along a beam direction 127-g-2, to generate the beam 125-g-2 according to a scan angle Θ2 relative to the direction 715).

[0190] In some implementations, the fourth configuration can be supported by steering the direction 715 toward the target 710-d (e.g., over the duration of the satellite 120-d traversing between points 725-d-1 and 725-d-2). In some implementations, steering the satellite 120-d to support the fourth configuration can be based at least in part on a combination of the location of the satellite 120-e-1 and the location of the satellite 120-e-2 (e.g., in combination with the location of the satellite 120-d). For example, the positioning and steering system 685 can be configured to steer the satellite 120-d based at least in part on an orientation of the direction 716 relative to the location of the satellite 120-e-1 and based on an orientation of the direction 715 relative to the location of the satellite 120-e-2. In some examples, the orientations for the directions 715 and 716 can be determined (e.g., at the satellite 120-d, at a network controller of the ground segment 101) based on beam performance (such as roll-off characteristics of the receive array 560-a and the transmit array 550-a or differences between the receive array and the transmit array) or transmit and receive capabilities of the target devices (e.g., the satellites 120-e-1 and 120-e-2) or a combination thereof. In some examples, the orientations for the directions 715 and 716 can be continuously calculated as the satellite 120-d traverses the orbital path 720-d, which can mitigate scan angles of the beamforming networks 620 and 640 and improve signal integrity (e.g., by maintaining that 1 is equal to 2 or within a threshold difference of 2, or selecting 1 and 2 to support the same or similar scan roll-off characteristics or otherwise balancing link characteristics).

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

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

[0193] To support the fifth configuration, the control system 660 can also be configured to activate (e.g., enable, configure) a signal path 705-e (e.g., including the pathways 745-c and 740) of the transponder system 610 that couples the port 611-a with the port 612-c to route the beam signals from the receive system 605 to the transmit system 615. Such activation can include, for example, activating the beamforming network 620-a or the beamforming network 640-b, activating the amplifier 665-a or the amplifier 670-c, activating the ports 606-a, 611-a, 612-c, 616-c, 618-b, or connections therebetween, activating the pathways 745-c and 740, activating the frequency converters 625-a or 636, configuring the switch component 626-a to couple the input 627-a with the output 628-a-2, configuring the switch component 626-c to couple the input 627-c-2 with the output 628-c-l, or any combination thereof, among other activations. Thus, the signal path 705-e can enable frequency conversion by the frequency converters 625-a and 636 (e.g., to convert from the uplink frequency range to the IF range, and from the IF range to the cross-link frequency range).

[0194] Thus, in the fifth configuration, the transmit system 615 can transmit a cross-link signal 175-f (e.g., a return cross-link signal, according to the cross-link frequency range, according to the cross-link polarization) to the satellite 120-e that is based at least in part on the uplink signal 173-f. The transmit system 615 can transmit the cross-link signal 175-f according to the beam 125-h-2. The beam 125-h-2 can be formed using the beamforming network 640-b, for example, which can be configured by the control system 660 (e.g., to implement transmit beam weights at the beamforming network 640-b to direct the directional transmission along the beam direction 127-h-2 to generate the beam 125-h-2 according to the scan angle Θ2 relative to the direction 715).

[0195] In some implementations, the fifth configuration can be supported by steering the direction 715 toward the target 710-e (e.g., over the duration of the satellite 120-d traversing between points 725-e-1 and 725-e-2). In some implementations, steering the satellite 120-d to support the fifth configuration can be based at least in part on a combination of the location of the antenna assembly 151-b and the location of the satellite 120-e (e.g., in combination with the location of the satellite 120-d). For example, the positioning and steering system 685 can be configured to steer the satellite 120-d based at least in part on an orientation of the direction 715 relative to the location of the antenna assembly 151-b and the location of the satellite 120-e. In some examples, the orientation for the direction 715 can be determined (e.g., at the satellite 120-d, at a network controller of the ground segment 101) based on beam performance (such as roll-off characteristics of the receive array 540-a and the transmit array 550-a or differences between the receive array and the transmit array) or transmit and receive capabilities of the target devices (e.g., the antenna assembly 151-b, the satellite 120-e), or a combination thereof. In some examples, the orientation for the direction 715 can be continuously calculated as an angle between the beam direction 127-h-1 and the beam direction 127-h-2 (e.g., bisecting the angle) as the satellite 120-d traverses the orbital path 720-e, which can mitigate scan angles of the beamforming networks 620 and 640 and improve signal integrity (e.g., by maintaining θι equal to θ2, or within a threshold difference of θ2, or selecting θι and θ2 to support the same or similar scan roll-off characteristics or otherwise balance link characteristics).

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

[0197] In the sixth configuration, the receive system 605 (e.g., the receive subsystem 607-b) can be configured to receive the cross-link signal 175-g (e.g., a return cross-link signal, according to a cross-link frequency range, according to a cross-link polarization) from the satellite 120-e according to the beam 125-i-1. The beam 125-i-1 can be formed using the beamforming network 620-c, which can be configured by the control system 660 (e.g., to implement receive beam weights at the beamforming network 620-c to align a directional reception along the beam direction 127-i-1 to generate the beam 125-i-1 according to a scan angle θι relative to the direction 716).

[0198] To support the sixth configuration, the control system 660 can also be configured to activate (e.g., enable, configure) a signal path 705-f (e.g., including the pathways 745-d and 735) of the transponder system 610 that couples the port 611-c with the port 612-a to route the beam signals from the receive system 605 to the transmit system 615. Such activation can include, for example, activating the beamforming network 620-c or the beamforming network 640-a, activating the amplifier 665-c or the amplifier 670-a, activating the ports 606-c, 611-c, 612-a, 616-a, 618-a, or connections therebetween, activating the pathways 745-d and 735, activating the frequency translator 625-a or 635-a, configuring the switch component 626-a to couple the input 627-a with the output 628-a-l, configuring the switch component 626-c to couple the input 627-c-l with the output 628-c-l, or any combination thereof, among other activations. Thus, the signal path 705-f can enable frequency translation of the frequency translators 625-b and 635-b (e.g., to translate from the cross-link frequency range to the IF range, and from the IF range to the downlink frequency range).

[0199] Thus, in the sixth configuration, the transmit system 615 can transmit a downlink signal 133-g (e.g., a return downlink signal, according to the downlink frequency range, according to the return link polarization) to the gateway antenna system 131-b that is based at least in part on the cross-link signal 175-g. The transmit 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 the beamforming network 640-a, for example, which can be configured by the control system 660 (e.g., to implement transmit beam weights at the beamforming network 640-a to direct the directional transmission along the beam direction 127-i-2 to generate the beam 125-i-2 according to the scan angle Θ2 relative to the direction 715).

[0200] In some implementations, the sixth configuration can be supported by steering the direction 715 toward the target 710-f (e.g., over the duration of the satellite 120-d traversing between points 725-f-1 and 725-f-2). In some implementations, steering the satellite 120-d to support the sixth configuration can be based at least in part on a combination of the location of the satellite 120-e and the location of the gateway antenna system 131-b (e.g., in combination with the location of the satellite 120-d). For example, the positioning and steering system 685 can be configured to steer the satellite 120-d based at least in part on an orientation of the direction 716 relative to the location of the satellite 120-e and based on an orientation of the direction 715 relative to the location of the gateway antenna system 131-b. In some examples, the orientations for the directions 715 and 716 can be determined (e.g., at the satellite 120-d, at a network controller of the ground segment 101) based on beam performance (such as roll-off characteristics of the receive array 560-a and the transmit array 550-a or differences between the receive array and the transmit array) or transmit and receive capabilities of the target devices (e.g., the satellite 120-e, the gateway antenna system 131-b) or a combination thereof. In some examples, the orientations for the directions 715 and 716 can be continuously calculated as the satellite 120-d traverses the orbital path 720-f, which can mitigate scan angles of the beamforming networks 620 and 640 and improve signal integrity (e.g., by maintaining θι equal to θ2or within a threshold difference of θ2or selecting θι and θ2to support the same or similar scan roll-off characteristics or otherwise balancing link characteristics).

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

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

[0203] To support the seventh configuration, the control system 660 can also be configured to activate (e.g., enable, configure) a signal path 705-g (e.g., including the way 735) of the transponder system 610 that couples the port 611-a with the port 612-a to route beam signals from the receive system 605 to the transmit system 615. Such activation can include, for example, activating the beamforming network 620-a or the beamforming network 640-a, activating the amplifier 665-a or the amplifier 670-a, activating the ports 606-a, 611-a, 612-a, 616-a, 618-a, or connections therebetween, activating the way 735, activating the frequency converters 625-a or 635-a, configuring the switch component 626-a to couple the input 627-a with the output 628-a-l, configuring the switch component 626-c to couple the input 627-c-2 with the output 628-c-l, or any combination thereof, among other activations. Thus, the signal path 705-g can enable frequency conversion by the 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] Thus, in the seventh configuration, the transmit system 615 can transmit a downlink signal 133-h (e.g., a return downlink signal, according to the downlink frequency range, according to the return link polarization) to the gateway antenna system 131-b that is based at least in part on the uplink signal 173-h. The transmit 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 the beamforming network 640-a, for example, which can be configured by the control system 660 (e.g., to implement transmit beam weights at the beamforming network 640-a to direct a 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 steering the direction 715 toward the target 710-g (e.g., over the duration of satellite 120-d traversing between points 725-g-l and 725-g-2). In some implementations, steering satellite 120-d to support the seventh configuration can be based at least in part on a combination of the location of gateway antenna system 131-b and the location of antenna assembly 151-b (e.g., in combination with the location of satellite 120-d). For example, positioning and steering system 685 can be configured to steer satellite 120-d based at least in part on the orientation of direction 715 relative to the location of gateway antenna system 131-b and the location of antenna assembly 151-b. In some examples, the orientation for direction 715 can be determined based on beam performance (such as roll-off characteristics of receive array 540-a and transmit array 550-a or differences between the receive array and the transmit array) or 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 a network controller of ground segment 101). In some examples, the orientation for direction 715 can be continuously calculated as an angle between beam direction 127-j-l and beam direction 127-j-2 (e.g., bisecting the angle) as satellite 120-d traverses orbital path 720-g, which can mitigate scan angles of beamforming networks 620 and 640 and improve signal integrity (e.g., by maintaining θι equal to θ2, or within a threshold difference of θ2, or selecting θι and θ2 to support the same or similar scan roll-off characteristics or otherwise balance link characteristics).

[0206] Although the payload implementation 700 is shown and described individually, the satellite 120-d including the payload 600 can support a mode in which multiple payload implementations 700 are concurrently present. In some examples, the satellite 120-d can be 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 bi-directional relaying without cross-link, the satellite 120-d can be configured to enable the signal path 705-a and the signal path 705-g (e.g., concurrently), and in such a mode, the satellite 120-d can be configured to disable the other signal paths 705-b through 705-f (e.g., disable the amplifiers 665-c and 670-c, disable the beamforming network 620-c, disable the ports 606-c, 611-c, 612-c, 616-c, or connections therebetween, disable the switch components 626-d or their interconnections, among other disablements). In another example, for a mode supporting bi-directional relaying with forward cross-link, the satellite 120-d can be configured to enable the signal path 705-b and the signal path 705-g, and in such a mode, the satellite 120-d can be configured to disable the signal paths 705-a and 705-c through 705-f. In another example, for a mode supporting bi-directional relaying with return cross-link, the satellite 120-d can be configured to enable the signal path 705-a and the signal path 705-f, and in such a mode, the satellite can be configured to disable the other signal paths 705-b through 705-e and 705-g. In another example, for a mode supporting return relaying and cross-link relaying, the satellite 120-d can be configured to enable the signal path 705-d and the signal path 705-g, and in such a mode, the satellite 120-d can be configured to disable the signal paths 705-a through 705-c, 705-e, and 705-f. In some examples, if any of the signal paths 705-a through 705-d are enabled, the other of these signal paths can be disabled. Additionally or alternatively, if any of the signal paths 705-e through 705-g are enabled, the other of these signal paths can be disabled. In each of such examples, steering of the satellite 120-d can be balanced between the one or more enabled configurations, such as minimizing scan angles, balancing or biasing link characteristics, among other considerations.

[0207] Accordingly, satellite 120-d can operate in different modes, which can implement the first configuration through the seventh configuration, or a combination thereof (e.g., concurrently, for bidirectional relaying). In some examples, determining an orientation of satellite 120-d can also include rotating satellite 120-d about a central axis of satellite 120-d (e.g., about the z-direction, about direction 715). For example, control system 660 can 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., directionality of receive array 540, receive array 560, or transmit array 550 along the x-direction, along the y-direction, or both), or can determine an orientation of satellite 120-d to improve collection of energy using solar elements 530, among other examples.

[0208] Figure 8A and Figure 8B An example of a satellite 120-f that supports techniques for NGSO satellite communication systems is shown, in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. Satellite 120-f can be configured to be deployed in a NGSO, and support various aspects of the described techniques in communication system 100. For example, satellite 120-f can support targeted functionality for receiving and transmitting beam signals, which can allow for a relatively small size and relatively low complexity of satellite 120-f. In some examples, the relatively small size of satellite 120-f, among other factors, can support a 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 satellite 120-f individually. While some techniques are described with reference to satellite 120-f operating in a NGSO, in some other examples, one or more of the described techniques can be implemented in satellite 120 or satellite 180 operating in a geostationary orbit, among other implementations.

[0209] Satellite 120-f can have a generally prismatic shape, and can be described with reference to the x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction of coordinate system 800. Satellite 120-f can include a main portion 810 having sides (e.g., faces, which can be planar or curved) that can include side 811, side 812, side 813, side 814, side 815, and side 816. While in some examples, the sides of satellite 120-f can be orthogonal, in some other examples, the sides of satellite 120-f can be at different orientations, such as in satellite 120-f having trapezoidal prismatic properties, long oblong prismatic shape, hexagonal prismatic shape, or other shapes.

[0210] In some examples, satellite 120-f can include one or more panels 820, such as panels 820-a and 820-b, that can be deployed from body portion 810 using hinges 825 that rotatably couple panels 820 with body portion 810. In some implementations, panels 820 can carry one or more solar elements 830 that can be positioned on one or both sides of respective panels 820 and can provide power for operating components of satellite 120-f. For example, satellite 120-f can 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, a control system of satellite 120-f can use hinges 825 to manage deployment of panels 820.

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

[0212] Satellite 120-f can also receive cross-link signaling (e.g., forward cross-link signaling, return cross-link signaling, cross-link signals 175, signals 183) and transmit cross-link signaling (e.g., forward cross-link signaling, return cross-link signaling, cross-link signals 175, signals 183) using transmit array 870 (e.g., a cross-link transmit array, a panel array, a direct radiating array), support wireless communications with or via other satellites 120 or satellites 180, e.g., by using receive array 860 (e.g., a cross-link receive array, a panel array, a direct radiating array). For example, receive array 860 can be configured to receive signaling from other satellites, and transmit array 870 can be configured to transmit signaling to other satellites. Including additional receive array 860 and additional transmit array 870 can allow satellite 120-f to steer cross-link signals (e.g., to determine an orientation of satellite 120-f, to determine an orientation of beam 125) with additional degrees of freedom, as compared to satellite 120-c, to thereby aim beam 125 toward various target devices. Thus, satellite 120-f can include two high-power transmit arrays. In some examples, satellite 120-f can operate in a power-limited configuration in which only one of transmit array 850 or transmit array 870 is enabled. In various implementations, such a power-limited configuration can be a strict configuration of satellite 120-f, in which satellite 120-f never concurrently enables both transmit array 850 and transmit array 870. In some other examples, such a power-limited configuration can be implemented on a case-by-case basis, such as when satellite 120-f is itself operating in a low-power mode (e.g., associated with a relatively low power supplied by one or more solar panels, associated with a relatively low amount of stored energy in a battery). In other words, in some examples, satellite 120-f can enable both transmit array 850 and transmit array 870 based on an amount of available power that satisfies a threshold, which can be based on a power required to support communications via transmit array 850 and transmit array 870.

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

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

[0215] The receive array 840, the transmit array 850, the receive array 860, and the transmit array 870 can each be associated with an axis (e.g., a nominal axis, a boresight axis, a boresight direction, an outward direction), which can be a nominal direction of the respective array. In some examples, such a nominal direction can be associated with a direction of peak gain capability of the array (e.g., a direction of maximum radiated power, a direction of maximum receive sensitivity, a direction of minimum distortion). For example, the receive array 840 can be associated with an axis 845, and the transmit array 850 can be associated with an axis 855, each of which can be aligned along a positive z-direction from the satellite 120-f (e.g., along a direction fixed relative to the body portion 810, along a direction from the side 815, along a parallel direction). Thus, aligning the receive array 840, the transmit array 850, or both, toward a target can be associated with orienting the satellite 120-f such that the positive z-direction is aligned toward the target. Additionally, the receive array 860 can be associated with an axis 865, which can be aligned along a positive x-direction from the satellite 120-f (e.g., a direction perpendicular or otherwise distinct from the axis 845, a direction perpendicular or otherwise distinct from the axis 855, a direction distinct from the axis 845 and the axis 855). In some implementations, aligning the receive array 860 toward a target (e.g., a second target, along a second target direction) can be additionally or alternatively associated with orienting the satellite 120-f such that the positive x-direction is aligned toward the target. Additionally, the transmit array 870 can be associated with an axis 875, which can be aligned along a negative x-direction from the satellite 120-f (e.g., a direction perpendicular or otherwise distinct from the axis 845, a direction perpendicular or otherwise distinct from the axis 855, a direction distinct from the axis 845 and the axis 855, a direction opposite or distinct from the axis 865). In some implementations, aligning the transmit array 870 toward a target (e.g., a third target, along a third target direction) can be additionally or alternatively associated with orienting the satellite 120-f such that the negative x-direction is aligned toward the target.

[0216] Accordingly, satellite 120-f illustrates an example in which receive array 840 (e.g., axis 845) and transmit array 850 (e.g., axis 845) can be oriented along one direction, receive array 860 (e.g., axis 865) can be oriented along a different direction, and transmit array 870 (e.g., axis 875) can be oriented along a different direction, providing another degree of flexibility for determining the orientation of beam 125. Although in the example of satellite 120-f, the direction of axis 865 is separated by 90 degrees (e.g., in a perpendicular plane) from the direction of axes 845 and 855, in some other examples in accordance with the described techniques, the direction of axis 865 can be separated by a different angle, such as 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 120 degrees, 135 degrees, etc. (e.g., as a fixed separation angle between arrays) from the direction of axes 845 and 855. Further, although in the example of satellite 120-f, the direction of axis 875 is separated by 180 degrees (e.g., pointing in the opposite direction) from the direction of axis 865, in some other examples in accordance with the described techniques, the direction of axis 875 can be separated by a different angle, such as 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 120 degrees, 135 degrees, etc. (e.g., as a fixed separation angle between arrays) from the direction of axis 865. Such techniques can be supported by faces or attached antenna element arrays of satellite 120 that are not flat, such as having one or more curved arrays or other shaped arrays associated with axes 845, 855, 865, and 875 (e.g., for satellites 120 having one or more curved surfaces, such as cylindrical or spherical surfaces). Moreover, although in the example of satellite 120-f, axis 845 and axis 855 are parallel, in some other examples, the directions of axis 845 and axis 855 can 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 of sides of satellite 120, between nominal directions of curved arrays of satellite 120).

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

[0218] For examples in which the first frequency range is relatively higher than the second frequency range, the receive array 840 can be relatively smaller than the transmit array 850, which can be associated with relatively shorter wavelengths for the relatively higher frequencies. Likewise, for examples in which the third frequency range is between the first and second frequency ranges, the size of the receive array 860, the transmit array 870, or both, can be designed to be between the receive array 840 and the transmit array 850. However, in various other implementations, such relative size determinations or quantities of antenna elements can be reversed or otherwise different between the receive array 840, the transmit array 850, the receive array 860, and the transmit array 870 (e.g., depending on the relative frequencies supported by the respective arrays). Additionally or alternatively, relative size determinations or quantities of antenna elements can be balanced between the receive array 840, the transmit array 850, the receive array 860, and the transmit array 870 based on other criteria, such as balancing or biasing of performance characteristics via the link of the satellite 120-f (e.g., balancing performance characteristics between forward link communications and return link communications, biasing performance characteristics to support relatively higher forward link throughput, balancing performance characteristics between gateway terminals and user terminals, such as associated antenna characteristics), among other balances.

[0219] In some examples, the receive array 840, the transmit array 850, or both, can have a triangular cross-section. For example, when sharing a face of the satellite 120-f, dividing the surface area of the face into triangles can support receive and transmit arrays 840 and 850 with more uniform beamforming characteristics than if the surface area were divided into adjacent rectangles or other shapes. In some other examples, the area of a shared face of the satellite 120-f can be divided into rectangular cross-sections or other shapes for the receive and transmit arrays 840 and 850, and in operation, the satellite 120-f can be rotated such that any beamforming or other signaling asymmetries can be well aligned along a particular rotational direction. For example, a relatively longer dimension of the receive or transmit array 840 or 850 can be aligned along a particular direction, such as a direction of separation between beams 125, which can reduce beamforming scan loss at angles relative to the axes 845 and 855 or relative to the z-direction of the satellite 120-f.

[0220] The receive system (e.g., receive antenna system, uplink antenna system, receive system including receive array 840, cross-link receive antenna system, receive system including receive array 860) of satellite 120-f can support reception of beam signals (e.g., uplink signals 132, uplink signals 173, cross-link signals 175, signals 183, received via beams 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 a combination thereof). For example, receive array 840 can include one or more receive elements (e.g., receive antenna elements, receive feed elements) located on side 815 that are configured to receive signaling from target devices, and receive array 860 can include one or more receive elements located on side 811 that are configured to receive signaling from target devices.

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

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

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

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

[0225] In some implementations, one or more receive systems of satellite 120-f can include a first beamforming network coupled with outputs of a set of first antenna element ports (e.g., associated with receive array 840), which can 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 can 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), which can route the beam signal to a transmit system, such as a transmit system including transmit array 850 and transmit array 870. In some implementations, one or more receive systems can also include a second beamforming network coupled with outputs of a set of second antenna element ports (e.g., associated with receive array 840), which can 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 (e.g., a return link beam signal) associated with a second polarization to, for example, a transponder (e.g., to a return link transponder, to a return link signal path, to a portion of a transponder system), which can route the beam signal to a transmit system. In some implementations, a receive system can also include a third beamforming network coupled with outputs of a set of third antenna element ports (e.g., associated with receive 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 (e.g., a cross-link beam signal) associated with a cross-link polarization to, for example, a transponder (e.g., to a cross-link signal path, to a portion of a transponder system), which can route the beam signal to a transmit system.

[0226] The transmit system (e.g., transmit antenna system, downlink antenna system, transmit system including transmit array 850, cross-link transmit system, transmit system including transmit array 870) of satellite 120-f can support transmitting beam signals (e.g., downlink signals 133, downlink signals 172, cross-link signals 175, signals 183, via beams 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 a combination thereof). For example, transmit array 850 can include one or more transmit elements (e.g., transmit antenna elements, transmit feed elements) located on side 815 that are configured to transmit signaling to target devices, and transmit array 870 can include one or more transmit elements located on side 812 that are configured to transmit signaling from target devices. A transmit antenna element can include a physical transducer that converts an electrical signal (e.g., an electrical component signal) into an electromagnetic signal (e.g., an electromagnetic component signal).

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

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

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

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

[0231] In some implementations, satellite 120-f can include additional components to support wireless communications with gateway terminal 130, user terminal 150, other satellites 120 or satellite 180, and other devices. For example, satellite 120-f can include patch antennas 884 (e.g., S-band patch antennas), omni antennas 882 (e.g., omni antennas), or both, which can support communications (e.g., transmit control signaling, receive control signaling) at a limited frequency range (e.g., between 2 GHz and 4 GHz, non-overlapping or otherwise distinct from receive array 840, transmit array 850, receive array 860, and transmit array 870). In some examples, one or more of such antennas can transmit control signaling (e.g., via a control frequency band), such as scheduling information, orbital adjustment information, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, patch antennas 884, omni antennas 882, or both, can support transmitting or receiving signals 182, receiving uplink signals 132, receiving uplink signals 173, transmitting downlink signals 133, transmitting downlink signals 172, transmitting or receiving cross-link signals 175, or any combination thereof, among other examples. In some examples, patch antennas 884, omni antennas 882, or both, can be located on a different side of satellite 120-f than receive array 840 and transmit array 850, such as side 511 or side 516 (e.g., opposite receive array 840 and transmit array 850).

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

[0233] In some implementations, satellite 120-f can include one or more components that support controlling orbital parameters of satellite 120-f. For example, satellite 120-f can include one or more thrusters 886, which in some examples can be located on a different side of satellite 120-f than receive array 840, transmit array 850, receive array 860, and transmit array 870 (e.g., on side 816), or on one or more other sides. Thrusters 886 can be operable to modify an orbital path of satellite 120-f. Additionally or alternatively, satellite 120-f can include an angular momentum system (e.g., located inside satellite 120-f, not shown) that is 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 in one or more target directions, to align axes 845, 855, 865, 875, or a combination thereof in one or more target directions).

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

[0235] Although in some examples the receive array 840 and the transmit array 850 can be configured for communication with a terminal of a ground segment, the receive array 840 and the transmit array 850 can additionally or alternatively be configured for communication with or via another satellite, such as another satellite 120 or another satellite 180. For example, to support aspects of a GEO link, the satellite 120-f can support wireless communication by receiving signals 183 using the receive array 240, or transmitting signals 183 using the transmit array 250, or both (e.g., via respective beams 125). In some examples, such techniques can be supported by aligning the positive z-direction of the satellite 120-f toward the satellite 180 (e.g., a geosynchronous satellite, for at least a portion of an orbital path of the satellite 120-f).

[0236] Figure 9 An example of a payload 900 that supports techniques for NGSO satellite communication systems is shown in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The payload 900 can be implemented in a satellite 120, such as the satellite 120-f described with reference to Figure 8A and Figure 8B The payload 900 can include a receive system 905 (e.g., a receive subsystem, a receive antenna system), a transmit system 915 (e.g., a transmit subsystem, a transmit antenna system), and a transponder system 910 (e.g., a transponder subsystem, a set of transponders, a set of signal paths, a set of beam signal paths) coupled with the receive system 905 and the transmit system 915. Although the receive system 905, the transponder system 910, and the transmit system 915 are provided with illustrative boundaries, constituent components can be differently distributed among other systems or subsystems in accordance with described techniques.

[0237] The payload 900 can support relaying beam signals (e.g., signals associated with one or more beams 125) with or between terminals of the ground segment 101 (e.g., between the gateway terminal 130 and the user terminal 150), with or between one or more other satellites (e.g., another satellite 120, satellite 180), or a combination thereof. For example, the receive system 905 can include a receive subsystem 907-a (e.g., an uplink subsystem) that can include a receive array 840-a and can include or otherwise be coupled with ports 906 (e.g., ports 906-a and 906-b, output ports, uplink ports). The receive array 840-a can include one or more antenna elements (e.g., receive elements) located on a side of the satellite 120, such as the side 815. In some examples, the receive subsystem 907-a can be configured for reception within a first frequency range (e.g., an uplink frequency range, 81 GHz - 86 GHz). The receive subsystem 907-a can be operable to obtain and output one or more beam signals (e.g., signals of respective beams 125, uplink beam signals, receive beam signals) based on component signals received via antenna elements of the receive array 840-a via the ports 906-a and 906-b.

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

[0239] The transmit system 915 can include a transmit subsystem 917-a (e.g., a downlink transmit subsystem) that can include the transmit array 850-a and that can include or otherwise be coupled with ports 916 (e.g., ports 916-a and 916-b, input ports, downlink ports). The transmit array 850-a can include one or more antenna elements (e.g., transmit elements) located on a side (such as the side 815) of the satellite 120. In some examples, the transmit subsystem 917-a can be configured for transmitting within a third frequency range (e.g., a downlink frequency range, 71 GHz - 76 GHz). The transmit subsystem 917-a can be operable to obtain (e.g., via the ports 916-a and 916-b) and transmit a beam signal (e.g., a signal of a respective beam 125, a downlink beam signal) based on component signals transmitted via the antenna elements of the transmit array 850-a.

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

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

[0242] The payload 900 can be operable to support different modes (e.g., signaling modes, communication modes, relay modes, signal path modes, signal routing modes, beam signal modes) or combinations of modes for relaying beam signals. Such modes and other operations of the satellite 120 including the payload 900 can be controlled (e.g., configured, coordinated, initiated) at least in part by a control system 960 of the payload, which can be coupled with at least the receiving system 905, the repeater system 910, and the transmitting system 915 to configure one or more aspects of the respective components. For example, the control system 960 can support managing beamforming networks (e.g., the beamforming network 920, the beamforming network 940), activating and deactivating signal paths of the repeater system 910, managing satellite alignment (e.g., aligning the satellite 120 toward a target, altering an orbital path of the satellite 120), and other operations. The control system 960 can include any number of one or more processors, which can include processors that are co-located within the payload 900 or distributed throughout the payload 900. Any one or more of such processors can be configured (e.g., individually configured, collectively configured, configured by software, configured by firmware, configured by hardware, or any combination thereof) to cause the satellite 120 (e.g., the payload 900) to perform various operations described herein.

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

[0244] Antenna elements of receive array 840-a can output respective first component signals (e.g., electrical component signals, associated with a first polarization) to beamforming network 920-a (e.g., via respective output ports), and in some examples, respective second component signals (e.g., associated with a second polarization) to 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 receive subsystem 907-a configured to support directional reception of a single respective beam 125 for each of the different polarizations supported by receive array 840-a. Antenna elements of receive array 860-a can output respective component signals to beamforming network 920-c. For at least some, if not all, of the respective antenna elements, beamforming network 920 can apply gain, phase adjustment, time adjustment, or any combination thereof to the component signals according to a direction of beamforming (e.g., a direction of a receive beam 125 according to receive beam weights 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 can include an output 922 (e.g., a single output, an output 922-a corresponding to an output of a return link uplink beam signal, an output 922-b corresponding to an output of a forward link uplink beam signal, an output 922-c corresponding to an output of a cross-link beam signal) that can be configured to output a receive beam signal to transponder system 910 (e.g., via port 906-a, 906-b, or 906-c). In some examples, output 922 can be configured to output a receive beam signal within the same frequency range as the component signals received. In some examples, output 922 can be supported by activation (e.g., by control system 960) of a respective amplifier 965 (e.g., amplifier 965-a, amplifier 965-b, amplifier 965-c).

[0246] The transponder system 910 can include various signal paths between the port 911 and the port 912. For example, the transponder system 910 can include a first signal path between the port 911-b and the port 912-b (e.g., for forward uplink-to-downlink relaying), a second signal path between the port 911-c and the port 912-b (e.g., for forward crosslink-to-downlink relaying), a third signal path between the port 911-b and the port 912-c (e.g., for forward uplink-to-crosslink relaying), a fourth signal path between the port 911-c and the port 912-c (e.g., for crosslink-to-crosslink relaying), a fifth signal path between the port 911-a and the port 912-c (e.g., for return uplink-to-crosslink relaying), a sixth signal path between the port 911-c and the port 912-a (e.g., for return crosslink-to-downlink relaying), and a seventh signal path between the port 911-a and the port 912-a (e.g., for return uplink-to-downlink relaying), at least some of which can be supported concurrently by the transponder system 910 (e.g., for multi-directional relaying).

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

[0248] In some examples, the repeater system 910 can include one or more couplers 921 (e.g., signal path junctions) that support passing at least a portion of one or more signals input to the coupler 921 through an output of the coupler 921 (e.g., providing a coupling between components). For example, the coupler 921-a can pass a signal from the output 928-d-l, a signal from the port 911-a, or both, to the frequency translator 925-a (e.g., an uplink-to-IF frequency translator). The coupler 921-b can pass a signal from the output 928-d-2, a signal from the port 911-b, or both, to the frequency translator 925-b (e.g., an uplink-to-IF frequency translator). The coupler 921-c can pass a signal from the output 928-a-2, a signal from the output 928-b-2, or both, to the frequency translator 936 (e.g., an IF-to-crosslink frequency translator). The coupler 921-d can pass a signal from the output 928-d-3 or a signal from the frequency translator 936, or both, to the port 912-c (e.g., to the beamforming network 940-b via the input 942-b). The coupler 921 can include one or more switches (e.g., operable using the control system 960) to support relaying signals, or can support addition (e.g., summation) of signals, or both, among other examples. In some examples, a signal from a single component coupled with the coupler 921 can be passed by the coupler 921, possibly due to one or more other components coupled with the coupler 921 being disabled (e.g., deactivated, powered off).

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

[0250] Additionally or alternatively, the transponder system 910 can downconvert a receive beam signal (e.g., a cross-link beam signal, from the receive subsystem 907-b) from a second frequency range (e.g., a cross-link frequency range, 61 GHz - 66 GHz) to the IF frequency range to generate an IF signal using a frequency converter 925 that receives the second receive beam signal and converts a frequency for the second IF signal to the IF frequency range. In some cases, to support such a frequency conversion, the frequency converter 925 can receive (e.g., from the switch component 926-c, from the input 927-c-l) an oscillator signal having a second oscillator frequency (e.g., 50 GHz, to convert from the 61 GHz - 66 GHz range to the 11 GHz - 16 GHz range) from the frequency generator 930, and can output the second IF signal having a frequency corresponding to a difference between the frequency of the second receive beam signal and the second oscillator frequency.

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

[0252] Along various signal paths, the transponder system 910 can also upconvert the IF signals from the IF frequency range to another frequency range, such as a downlink frequency range to generate downlink beam signals (e.g., return link downlink beam signals, forward link downlink beam signals), or to a cross-link frequency range to generate cross-link beam signals. For example, the transponder system 910 can include a frequency converter 935 (e.g., an upconverter, frequency converters 935-a and 935-b) that receives the IF signals and converts the frequency for the downlink beam signals to a third frequency range (e.g., a downlink frequency range). In some examples, the fourth frequency range can be 71 GHz - 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 frequency range and the third frequency range can not overlap, which can support aspects of the receive system 905 and the transmit system 915 (e.g., antenna elements, signal processing hardware) being configured according to different operating frequencies, and avoid cross-talk between the transmit system 915 and the receive system 905. In some cases, to support such frequency conversion, the frequency converter 935 can receive an oscillator signal having a third oscillator frequency (e.g., 60 GHz, to convert from the 11 GHz - 16 GHz range to the 71 GHz - 76 GHz range), such as from the frequency generator 930 (e.g., from the oscillator 980-a), and can output a downlink beam signal (e.g., via the port 912-a or 912-b) corresponding to a frequency that is a sum of the frequency of the IF signal and the third oscillator frequency.

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

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

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

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

Claims

1. A satellite (120) configured to support communication services between multiple gateway terminals (130) and multiple user terminals (150), said 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) associated with a first uplink component signal received via the first antenna is output via the first uplink port; A second uplink beam signal (173) associated with the second uplink component signal received via the first antenna is output via the second uplink port; or Concurrently output both the first uplink beam signal and the second uplink beam signal; A downlink transmission subsystem (917), comprising a second antenna (850), a first downlink port, and a second downlink port, the downlink transmission subsystem being operable to: The first downlink beam signal (172) obtained at the first downlink port is transmitted via the second antenna; The second downlink beam signal (133) obtained at the second downlink port is transmitted via the second antenna; or The first downlink beam signal and the second downlink beam signal are transmitted concurrently; A cross-link receiving subsystem (907) includes a third antenna (860) and is 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). A cross-link transmission subsystem (917) includes a fourth antenna (870) and is operable to transmit a second cross-link beam signal (175, 183) obtained at a second cross-link port (916) via the fourth antenna. A repeater subsystem (910), coupled to the uplink receiving subsystem, the downlink transmitting subsystem, the cross-link receiving subsystem, and the cross-link transmitting subsystem, comprising: A single forward path (1030) coupled between the first uplink port and the first downlink port; A single return path (1035), said single return path being coupled between the second uplink port and the second downlink port; and A single cross-link path (1040), said single cross-link path being coupled between the first cross-link port and the second cross-link port; and Control system (960), operable to configure the uplink receiving subsystem, the downlink transmitting subsystem, the cross-link receiving subsystem, the cross-link transmitting subsystem, and the transponder subsystem, wherein: In the first mode, the control system is configured to activate a first signal path (1005) including the single forward path between the first uplink port and the first downlink port, and a second signal path (1005) including the single return path between the second uplink port and the second downlink port. In the second mode, the control system is configured to activate a third signal path (1005) between the first crosslink port and the second downlink port, the third signal path including a first transmission path (1045) between the first crosslink port and the single return path, and deactivate the second signal path; and In the third mode, the control system is configured to activate a fourth signal path (1005) between the second uplink port and the second crosslink port, the third signal path including a second transmission path (1045) between the second uplink port and the single crosslink path, and to deactivate the first signal path.

2. The satellite according to claim 1, wherein: In the fourth mode, the control system is configured to activate a fifth signal path (1005) between the first cross-link port and the second cross-link port, which includes the single cross-link path, and deactivate the first signal path.

3. The satellite according to claim 2, wherein: In the fourth mode, the control system is configured to activate the second signal path.

4. The satellite according to claim 2, wherein: In the fourth mode, the control system is configured to disable the first transmit amplifier (970) of the downlink transmit subsystem associated with the transmission of the first downlink beam signal and activate the third transmit amplifier (970) of the cross-link transmit subsystem associated with the transmission of the second cross-link beam signal.

5. The satellite of claim 2, wherein in the third mode, the control system is configured to activate the first signal path.

6. The satellite according to claim 2, wherein: In the fifth mode, the control system is configured to activate a sixth signal path (1005) between the first cross-link port and the first downlink port, including the single forward path, and deactivate the first signal path.

7. The satellite according to claim 6, wherein: In the fifth mode, the control system is operable to activate the first amplifier (970) of the downlink transmission subsystem associated with the transmission of the first downlink beam signal and deactivate the third amplifier (970) of the cross-link transmission subsystem associated with the transmission of the second cross-link beam signal.

8. The satellite of claim 6, wherein the control system is configured to select the first mode, the second mode, the third mode, the fourth mode, or the fifth mode based at least in part on signaling (183, 175, 132, 173) received at the satellite.

9. The satellite of claim 6, wherein the transponder subsystem comprises: A first switch (976) having an input port (927), a first output port (928), a second output port (928), and a third output port (928) coupled to the first cross-link port, the third output port being coupled to the single cross-link path; A first coupler (921) has a first input port coupled to the first output port of the first switch, a second input port coupled to the first uplink port, and an output port coupled to the single forward path; The second coupler (921) has a first input port coupled to the second output port of the first switch, a second input port coupled to the second uplink port, and an output port coupled to the single return path; A second switch (926) having an input port (927) coupled to the output port of the first coupler, a first output port (928) coupled to the first downlink port, and a second output port (928); A third switch (926) having an input port (927) coupled to the output port of the second coupler, a first output port (928) coupled to the second downlink port, and a second output port (928); A third coupler (921) has a first input port coupled to the second output port of the second switch, a second input port coupled to the second output port of the third switch, and an output port; as well as A fourth coupler (921) has a first input port coupled to the third output port of the first switch, a second input port coupled to the output port of the third coupler, and an output port coupled to the second crosslink port.

10. The satellite according to claim 9, wherein in the first mode: The second switch is configured to output the first uplink beam signal to the first output port; and The third switch is configured to output the second uplink beam signal to the first output port.

11. The satellite according to claim 9, wherein in the second mode: The first switch is configured to output the first cross-link beam signal to the second output port; The second switch is configured to output the first uplink beam signal to the first output port; and The third switch is configured to output the first crosslink beam signal obtained from the output port of the second coupler to the first output port.

12. The satellite according to claim 9, wherein in the third mode: The third switch is configured to output the second uplink beam signal to the second output port.

13. The satellite according to claim 9, wherein in the fourth mode: The first switch is configured to output the first crosslink beam signal to the third output port.

14. The satellite according to claim 9, wherein in the fifth mode: The first switch is configured to output the first cross-link beam signal to the first output port; The second switch is configured to output the first uplink beam signal to the first output port; and The control system is configured to disable the first amplifier of the uplink receiving subsystem associated with the reception of the first uplink beam signal.

15. The satellite according to claim 1, wherein: In the first mode, the control system is operable to activate the first amplifier (970) of the downlink transmission subsystem associated with the transmission of the first downlink beam signal, activate the second amplifier (970) of the downlink transmission subsystem associated with the transmission of the second downlink beam signal, and deactivate the third amplifier (970) of the cross-link transmission subsystem associated with the transmission of the second cross-link beam signal.

16. 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.

17. The satellite according to claim 1, further comprising: Command receiver (962) is operable to decode command messages from the first uplink beam signal.

18. The satellite according to claim 1, further comprising: A command transmitter (967) capable of operating to generate a beacon signal; as well as A summing circuit (325) is operable to sum the beacon signal and the second downlink beam signal.

19. The satellite of claim 1, wherein the first antenna comprises a first plurality of antenna elements, and the second antenna comprises a second plurality of antenna elements.

20. The satellite of claim 19, wherein the third antenna comprises a third plurality of antenna elements, and the fourth antenna comprises a fourth plurality of antenna elements.

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