Space/ground beamforming techniques for emerging hybrid satellite terrestrial networks

Potential advantages of dynamic and adaptive beam forming techniques are widely recognized. The flexibility, adaptations and real time pattern control offered by the beam forming techniques are regarded as key features to increase the overall telecommunication system traffic capacity or to render the system robust to interferences. This is particularly essential for the hybrid satellite terrestrial networks that provide multiple access mobile services over a wide geographical area. This paper describes some system and payload architectural options for partitioning ground/space processing required for the beam forming that can offer a higher level of flexibility and efficiency. (6 pages)