On board processing techniques for broadband satellite communications

This paper describes the present status of our research in on board processing (OBP) techniques for future communications satellites operated at Ka band (20/30 Ghz). Simulation results on digital beamforming based on the SCORE family of algorithms are given. Probability of bit error performance is described for several multicarrier demultiplexer demodulator structures, such as, polyphase network followed by an FFT, SAW-based chirp Fourier transform and hierarchical multistage transmultiplexer. On board switching, traffic control and aggregated traffic models are briefly outlined, OBP enabling technologies, such as, rad hard FPGAs and acousto-optics are highlighted.