Providing communications coverage using hybrid analog/digital beamforming

A method comprising:

• determining a target area for communications coverage;
• dividing the target area into regions that include at least a first region and a second region neighboring each other;
• generating, for the first region, a first plurality of analog beams from a plurality of feeds configured to form analog beams, wherein the plurality of feeds is divided into a plurality of panels, each panel including one or more feeds from the plurality of feeds,
• wherein a first subset of panels of the plurality of panels generates one or more analog beams of the first plurality of analog beams, and
• wherein the first plurality of analog beams covering the first region forms a first cluster;
• generating, in the first cluster, a first plurality of hybrid beams from the first plurality of analog beams,
• wherein each of the first plurality of hybrid beams is a digital beam generated by phase combining one or more analog beams of the first plurality of analog beams, and
• wherein the first plurality of hybrid beams is arranged in a first arrangement in the first cluster;
• generating, for the second region, a second plurality of analog beams from the plurality of feeds configured to form analog beams,
• wherein a second subset of panels of the plurality of panels generates one or more analog beams of the second plurality of analog beams, and
• wherein the second plurality of analog beams covering the second region forms a second cluster;
• generating, in the second cluster, a second plurality of hybrid beams from the second plurality of analog beams,
• wherein each of the second plurality of hybrid beams is a digital beam generated by phase combining one or more analog beams of the second plurality of analog beams,
• wherein the second plurality of hybrid beams is arranged in a second arrangement in the second cluster, and
• wherein the second plurality of hybrid beams in the second arrangement is adjacent to the first plurality of hybrid beams in the first arrangement.

An apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of feeds in a spacecraft configured to form analog beams, wherein the plurality of feeds is divided into a plurality of panels, each panel including one or more feeds from the plurality of feeds;
• processing circuitry that is configured to perform operations comprising:
• determining a target area for communications coverage;
• dividing the target area into a plurality of regions including a first region and a second region;
• determining, at a first time, that the first region corresponds to an edge of coverage (EOC) of the spacecraft, and that the second region corresponds to nadir of the spacecraft;
• in response to the determining at the first time:
• generating, at the first time, for the first region, a first plurality of analog beams, wherein a first subset of panels of the plurality of panels generates one or more analog beams of the first plurality of analog beams, and
• generating, at the first time, for the second region, a second plurality of analog beams, wherein a second subset of panels of the plurality of panels generates one or more analog beams of the second plurality of analog beams;
• determining, at a second time, that the first region corresponds to nadir of the spacecraft, and that the second region corresponds to EOC of the spacecraft;
• and
• in response to the determining at the second time:
• generating, at the second time, for the first region, a third plurality of analog beams, wherein a third subset of panels of the plurality of panels generates one or more analog beams of the third plurality of analog beams, and
• generating, at the second time, for the second region, a fourth plurality of analog beams, wherein a fourth subset of panels of the plurality of panels generates one or more analog beams of the fourth plurality of analog beams.

A method comprising:

• determining a target area for communications coverage;
• dividing the target area into a plurality of regions including a first region and a second region;
• determining, at a first time, that the first region corresponds to an edge of coverage (EOC) of the spacecraft, and that the second region corresponds to nadir of the spacecraft;
• in response to the determining at the first time:
• generating, at the first time, for the first region, a first plurality of analog beams from a plurality of feeds that is divided into a plurality of panels, each panel including one or more feeds from the plurality of feeds, wherein a first subset of panels of the plurality of panels generates one or more analog beams of the first plurality of analog beams, and
• generating, at the first time, for the second region, a second plurality of analog beams from the plurality of feeds, wherein a second subset of panels of the plurality of panels generates one or more analog beams of the second plurality of analog beams;
• determining, at a second time, that the first region corresponds to nadir of the spacecraft, and that the second region corresponds to EOC of the spacecraft;
• and
• in response to the determining at the second time:
• generating, at the second time, for the first region, a third plurality of analog beams from the plurality of feeds, wherein a third subset of panels of the plurality of panels generates one or more analog beams of the third plurality of analog beams, and
• generating, at the second time, for the second region, a fourth plurality of analog beams, wherein a fourth subset of panels of the plurality of panels generates one or more analog beams of the fourth plurality of analog beams.