TDMA system capable of individually controlling electric power of bursts

In a time division multiple access system comprising a plurality of earth stations communicable with one another in accordance with a burst time plan through a satellite which comprises a transponder operable in response to a first predetermined number of carrier waves, N in number, where N is a natural number greater than unity, said transponder having a first total electric power level available for said first predetermined number of the carrier waves, the improvement wherein;

• a second predetermined number of said carrier waves, M in number, are selected as selected carrier waves from said carrier waves of the first predetermined number in accordance with said burst time plan so that said selected carrier waves have a second total electric power level which does not exceed said first total electric power level in said transponder, each of said first and said second predetermined numbers being representative of the number of down link carrier waves directed from said satellite to said earth stations, each of the down link carrier waves directed from said satellite towards said earth stations;
• at least one of said earth stations having a receiving end which is accessible to a plurality of said down link carrier waves by frequency hopping.