Network-Access Satellite Communication System
According to one embodiment, a system for monitoring the performance of satellite communications includes first and second receivers, first and second splitters, a first transmitter, and one or more switches. The first receiver is configured to receive microwave communications signals from a first gateway antenna system. The first splitter is coupled to the first receiver and is configured to collect a copy of microwave communications signals from the first receiver. The second receiver is configured to receive microwave communications signals from a second gateway antenna. The second splitter is coupled to the second receiver and is configured to collect a copy of microwave communications signals from the second receiver. The first transmitter is configured to transmit microwave communications signals to a third gateway antenna system. The one or more switches are collectively configured to selectively couple the first transmitter to a selected one of the first and second splitters.
1 . A system for monitoring the performance of satellite communications, comprising:
a first receiver configured to receive microwave communications signals from a first earth-based gateway antenna system;
a first splitter coupled to the first receiver and configured to create a copy of microwave communications signals from the first receiver;
a second receiver configured to receive microwave communications signals from a second earth-based gateway antenna system;
a second splitter coupled to the second receiver and configured to create a copy of microwave communications signals from the second receiver;
a first transmitter configured to transmit microwave communications signals to a third earth-based gateway antenna system; and
one or more switches collectively configured to selectively couple the first transmitter to a selected one of the first and second splitters.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second splitters comprise a directional coupler.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more switches comprise a single switch configured to selectively couple the first transmitter to a selected one of the first and second splitters.
4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second transmitter configured to transmit microwave communications signals to the first earth-based gateway antenna system;
a third splitter coupled to the second transmitter and configured to create a copy of the microwave communications signals transmitted to the first earth-based gateway antenna system;
a third transmitter configured to transmit microwave communications signals to the second earth-based gateway antenna system;
a fourth splitter coupled to the third transmitter and configured to create a copy of the microwave communications signals transmitted to the second earth-based gateway antenna system; and
one or more switches collectively configured to selectively couple the first transmitter to a selected one of the third and fourth splitters.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the one or more switches comprise:
a first switch configured to select between the first and second splitters;
a second switch configured to select between the third and fourth splitters; and
a third switch configured to select between the first and second switches.
6 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second transmitter configured to transmit microwave communications signals to the first earth-based gateway antenna system;
a third transmitter configured to transmit microwave communications signals to the second earth-based gateway antenna system;
a third receiver configured to receive microwave communications signals from the third earth-based gateway antenna system; and
a switch configured to selectively couple the third receiver to a selected one of the second and third transmitters.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the switch selectively couples the third receiver to the selected one of the second and third transmitters through one of first and second combiners.
8 . A method for use in monitoring satellite communication performance, comprising:
receiving downstream microwave communications signals from a plurality of earth-based gateway antenna systems, such that a different set of one or more downstream microwave communications signals is received from each of the plurality of earth-based gateway antennas; and
transmitting a duplicate set of one or more downstream communications signals received from a selected one of the plurality of earth-based gateway antennas.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the selected one of the plurality of earth-based gateway antennas is selected using one or more switches.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the duplicate set of one or more downstream communications signals is transmitted to an additional earth-based gateway antenna system not included in the plurality of earth-based gateway antenna systems.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the duplicate set of one or more downstream communications signals is generated using a splitter.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the splitter comprises a directional coupler.
13 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
transmitting upstream microwave communications signals from the satellite to the plurality of gateway antenna systems such that each gateway antenna system receives a different set of one or more upstream microwave communications signals;
transmitting a duplicate set of the one or more upstream microwave communications signals transmitted to a selected one of the plurality of gateway antenna systems.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the duplicate set of one or more upstream communications signals is transmitted to an additional earth-based gateway antenna system not included in the plurality of earth-based gateway antenna systems.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the duplicate set of one or more upstream communications signals is generated using a splitter.
16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the splitter comprises a directional coupler.
17 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
receiving upstream microwave communications signals from an additional earth-based gateway antenna system not included in the plurality of earth-based antenna systems; and
transmitting the upstream microwave communications signals received from the additional earth-based gateway antenna to the selected one of the plurality of earth-based gateway antenna systems.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the selected one of the plurality of earth-base gateway antenna systems is selected using a first switch for the upstream microwave communications signals and a second switch for the downstream communications signals.
19 . A method for use in monitoring satellite communication performance, comprising:
receiving, at a satellite, a first microwave communication signal from a gateway antenna system;
processing at the satellite, the first microwave communication signal to generate a plurality of channels;
transmitting a plurality of microwave communication signals from the satellite in a plurality of spot-beams to a first plurality of receivers, each of the plurality of microwave signals comprising one of the plurality of channels, each of the first plurality of receivers being associated with a particular spot-beam and a particular one of the plurality of channels;
transmitting a duplicate microwave communication signal from the satellite in a spot-beam to a second plurality of receivers, each of the second plurality of receivers being associated with a particular one of the plurality of channels, the duplicate signal corresponding to the microwave communication signal transmitted in a selected one of the plurality of spot-beams; and
analyzing the duplicate signal to monitor satellite communication performance.