Performance Evaluation Experiments of an Onboard Packet Switch

An onboard switch enables satellite communications systems with a multi-beam structure to operate more efficiently. The Engineering Test Satellite VIII with the onboard packet switch has been launched in December 2006. The adoption of the function as bridges for this onboard switch make it possible that the highly flexible network is constructed. The initial performance test results in the satellite orbit show that the onboard packet switch is sufficient to meet the requirements for the mobile satellite communications system. The periodic performance tests were also conducted in several times for four years. These test results show the onboard packet switch keeps the same performance for four years.