The applications of satellites with onboard switching are described, with particular emphasis on narrowband and broadband ISDN interconnections through very small earth stations. The objectives and features of an experimental satellite with onboard processing are highlighted. The onboard switch is shown to be limited to a T-stage and is commanded from the master control station, where all the major functions of a digital exchange are placed. The European Space Agency's development of the system and the payload architecture of the system are discussed.
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