Methods comprising satellites having a regenerative payload, onboard computer, payload interface and interference elimination system

A method of implementing a satellite communications system for mobile terminals, comprising the steps of:

• providing a satellite configured to receive an uplink signal from one or more mobile user terminals and to transmit a downlink signal to one or more mobile terminals in a satellite communications network, wherein the one or more mobile terminals comprises a small antenna having an aperture area with a diameter of less than about 50 cm, the satellite comprising:
• a regenerative payload, a demodulator for demodulating the uplink signal received by the satellite, an onboard computer, and a payload interface, wherein the payload interface is coupled to the regenerative payload, the onboard computer and an onboard interference elimination system to enable an onboard interference analysis of the uplink signal after it has been demodulated;
• and activating the one or more mobile user terminals to send the uplink signal to the satellite, or activating the target terminal to receive the downlink signal from the satellite;
• wherein the satellite communications system is optimized for a link margin of 5 dB or less.

A method of operating a satellite communications system for mobile terminals, wherein the satellite communications system comprises:

• a mobile user terminal comprising a small antenna having an aperture area with a diameter of less than about 50 cm, and one or more satellites having a regenerative payload, a demodulator for demodulating an uplink signal sent by the mobile user terminal and received by the satellite, an onboard computer and a payload interface, wherein the payload interface is coupled to the regenerative payload, the onboard computer and an onboard interference elimination system to enable an onboard interference analysis of the uplink signal after it has been demodulated, and the satellite communications system is optimized for a link margin of 5 dB or less, the method comprising the steps of:
• adjusting the satellite communications system from a first frequency band to a second frequency band that is less populated than the first frequency band;
• monitoring for interference towards adjacent satellites from the uplink signal;
• and remedying the interference when the interference to the adjacent satellites from the uplink signal is detected.