Interference suppression in a satellite communication system using onboard beamforming and ground-based processing

A ground base station configured to communicate with a satellite to provide coverage for communication in a first geographic region, and suppress from the communication, interference from a distinct, second geographic region that is outside the first geographic region, the ground base station comprising:

• radio-frequency equipment configured to receive first signals and separate, second signals from the satellite including an onboard beamformer configured to produce a plurality of spot beams including first spot beams for the first geographic region, and second spot beams for the second geographic region, the satellite being configured to receive the first signals in the first spot beams for the first geographic region, and the second signals in the second spot beams for the second geographic region, at least a portion of the first signals carrying the communication, and at least a portion of the second signals carrying the interference;
• and
• a signal processor coupled to the radio-frequency equipment and configured to process the first signals and second signals, and based thereon, suppress any of the interference from at least the portion of the first signals carrying the communication.

A method of providing coverage for communication in a first geographic region, and suppressing from the communication, interference from a distinct, second geographic region that is outside the first geographic region, the method comprising:

• receiving at a ground base station, first signals and separate, second signals from a satellite including an onboard beamformer configured to produce a plurality of spot beams including first spot beams for the first geographic region, and second spot beams for the second geographic region, the satellite being configured to receive the first signals in the first spot beams for the first geographic region, and the second signals in the second spot beams for the second geographic region, at least a portion of the first signals carrying the communication, and at least a portion of the second signals carrying the interference;
• and
• processing the first signals and second signals, and based thereon, suppressing at the ground base station, any of the interference from at least the portion of the first signals carrying the communication.