Multiplexed power amplifiers for satellite communication system

In a communication satellite having plural communication signal amplifiers coupled to plural transmit horns that transmit communication signals to plural corresponding geographic cells, the improvement comprising:

• multiplexing between the communication signal amplifiers and the transmit horns so that each of the communication signal amplifiers delivers plural distinct communication signals to plural respective transmit horns, the plural distinct communication signals delivered by a communication signal amplifier to plural respective transmit horns being carried on frequency-distinct communication sub-bands and the multiplexing including a frequency filter coupled to each communication signal amplifier for each communication sub-band.

In a communication satellite having plural communication signal amplifiers coupled to plural transmit horns that transmit communication signals to plural corresponding geographic cells, the improvement comprising:

• multiplexing between the communication signal amplifiers and the transmit horns so that each of the communication signal amplifiers delivers plural distinct communication signals to plural respective transmit horns, each of the communication signal amplifiers delivering plural distinct communication signals to plural respective transmit horns on a common set of frequency-distinct communication sub-bands.

In a communication satellite having plural communication signal amplifiers coupled to plural transmit horns that transmit communication signals to plural corresponding geographic cells, the improvement comprising:

• multiplexing between the communication signal amplifiers and the transmit horns so that each of the communication signal amplifiers delivers plural distinct communication signals to plural respective transmit horns, each of the communication signal amplifiers delivering plural distinct communication signals to plural respective transmit horns on a common set of frequency-distinct communication sub-bands;
• and
• a switching array that selectively changes the interconnections between the communication signal amplifiers and the transmit horns.

In a communication satellite having plural communication signal amplifiers coupled to plural transmit horns that transmit communication signals to plural corresponding geographic cells, a method comprising:

• delivering plural distinct communication signals to plural respective transmit horns from each of the communication signal amplifiers, including frequency multiplexing the plural distinct communication signals delivered by each communication signal amplifier among plural frequency-distinct communication sub-bands.

In a communication satellite having plural communication signal amplifiers coupled to plural transmit horns that transmit communication signals to plural corresponding geographic cells, a method comprising:

• delivering plural distinct communication signals to plural respective transmit horns from each of the communication signal amplifiers on a common set of frequency-distinct communication sub-bands from each of the communication signal amplifiers.

In a communication satellite having plural communication signal amplifiers coupled to plural transmit horns that transmit communication signals to plural corresponding geographic cells and plural communication signal receivers coupled to plural receive horns that receive communication signals corresponding to plural geographic cells, a method comprising:

• delivering plural distinct communication signals to plural respective transmit horns from each of the communication signal amplifiers;
• and
• delivering plural distinct communication signals to each of the receivers from plural respective ones of the receive horns.

In a communication satellite having plural communication signal amplifiers that amplify plural communication signals with amplification power, and plural transmit horns that transmit the communication signals to plural corresponding geographic cells, a method comprising:

• delivering plural distinct communication signals to plural respective transmit horns from each of the communication signal amplifiers, including frequency multiplexing the plural distinct communication signals delivered by each communication signal amplifier among plural frequency-distinct communication sub-bands;
• and
• dynamically allocating amplification power between the communication signals according to real-time degradation of the communication signals transmitted to at least selected ones of the geographic cells.

In a communication satellite having plural communication signal receivers coupled to plural receive horns that receive communication signals for plural corresponding geographic cells, the improvement comprising:

• multiplexing between the communication signal receivers and the receive horns so that each of the communication signal receivers receives plural distinct communication signals from plural respective receive horns.