Express Mesh Intersatellite Optical Coherent Networking

A satellite constellation comprising a plurality of satellites, wherein the plurality of satellites are configured in an express mesh topology based on traffic sources and sinks on the ground, wherein the plurality of satellite comprise:

• a plurality of optical modems, each comprising digital signal processing circuitry to support programmable modulation formats;
• and
• a processor configured to
• assign a first set of the plurality of optical modems to establish inter-satellite links and a second set of the plurality of optical modems to establish ground links, and
• select a modulation format for a given optical modem based on link performance requirements including at least one of (i) connection distance and (ii) bandwidth demand.

A method of configuring a satellite network comprising:

• determining a topology for a plurality of satellites based on traffic sources and sinks on the ground;
• assigning a first set of optical modems in each satellite to establish inter-satellite links and a second set of optical modems to establish ground links;
• and
• selecting a modulation format for a given optical modem based on at least one of (i) connection distance and (ii) bandwidth demand.