Broadband satellite communication system using optical feeder links

1. A method of transmitting information through a satellite of a satellite communications system, comprising:

receiving a plurality of binary data streams within a beamformer, the plurality of binary data streams for transmission to a plurality of user beam coverage areas;

generating a plurality of beam element signals, each beam element signal generated such that when transmitted from an antenna array in the satellite the plurality of beam element signals superpose with one another to form at least one user spot beam;

transmitting the plurality of beam element signals from the beamformer to at least one Satellite Access Node (SAN);

receiving the plurality of beam element signals with the at least one SAN;

modulating the received plurality of beam element signals onto an optical carrier;

transmitting the modulated optical carrier from the at least one SAN to the satellite;

receiving the modulated optical carrier within the satellite;

demultiplexing the modulated optical carrier and outputting a plurality of optical signals, each of the plurality of demultiplexed optical signals having a wavelength in a unique optical channel;

generating a plurality of analog electrical signals, each having an amplitude determined in response to an optical intensity of one of the demultiplexed optical signals; and

applying the plurality of analog electrical signals to elements of the antenna array such that when the plurality of beam element signals are superposed with one another, they form the at least one user spot beam.

2. The method of claim 1 , further including generating the plurality of beam element signals based on a quality of optical links between the satellite and the at least one SAN.

3. The method of claim 1 , further including:

generating at least one timing pilot signal within the beamformer;

transmitting the at least one timing pilot signal together with the plurality of beam element signals to a first SAN and a second SAN;

receiving timing pilot signals within the first SAN and the second SAN;

modulating the received timing pilot signals onto a first and second optical carrier in the first and second SAN respectively;

transmitting the first and second optical carrier from the corresponding SANs;

receiving in the satellite the first and second optical carrier from the first and second SAN;

demodulating the first and second optical carrier to obtain a corresponding first and second timing pilot signal in the satellite;

determining a time difference between the first timing pilot signal and the second timing pilot signal, and generating a timing correction signal based on the time difference; and

transmitting the timing correction signal to the first and second SAN.

4. The method of claim 3 , further including delaying the transmission of the plurality of beam element signals from one or both of the SANs to reduce the time difference.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein each of the first and the second SAN receives a subset of the plurality of beam element signals.

6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising positioning lenses within the satellite to receive optical signals from a subset of the SANs, wherein SANs are included in the subset based on an attenuation of optical signals transmitted over an optical link between each of the SANs and the satellite.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the positioning lenses further comprises redirecting a lens away from the first SAN and pointing the lens at the second SAN if the optical link between the satellite and the second SAN has less attenuation than the optical link between the satellite and the first SAN.