Systems and methods for using adaptive coding and modulation in a regenerative satellite communication system

A method, comprising:

• receiving a signal at a regenerative satellite;
• demodulating and decoding the received signal at the regenerative satellite to obtain a packet;
• reading, from a header of the packet, a field indicating a downlink modulation and coding combination (ModCod) to be used when transmitting on a downlink to a receiving terminal that is a destination of the packet;
• and
• modulating and encoding the packet at the regenerative satellite based on the indicated downlink ModCod.

A method, comprising:

• receiving a signal at a regenerative high altitude platform;
• demodulating and decoding the received signal at the regenerative high altitude platform to obtain a packet;
• reading, from a header of the packet, a field indicating a downlink modulation and coding combination (ModCod) to be used when transmitting on a downlink to a receiving terminal that is a destination of the packet;
• modulating and encoding the packet at the regenerative high altitude platform based on the indicated downlink ModCod;
• and
• transmitting, on a downlink, the modulated and encoded packet to the receiving terminal.

A regenerative satellite system, comprising:

• a regenerative satellite, the regenerative satellite comprising:
• a receiver configured to receive a signal;
• circuitry for demodulating and decoding the received signal to obtain a packet;
• circuitry for reading, from a header of the packet, a field indicating a downlink modulation and coding combination (ModCod) to be used when transmitting on a downlink to a receiving terminal that is a destination of the packet;
• and
• circuitry for modulating and encoding the packet at the regenerative satellite based on the indicated downlink ModCod.