METHOD AND INTELLIGENT DIGITAL BEAM FORMING SYSTEM RESPONSIVE TO TRAFFIC DEMAND

摘要

An intelligent digital beam former (10) inconjunction with a satellite based array antenna (20)provides a plurality of dynamically controllable antennabeams (52) for communication with subscriber units (90) inresponse to demand for communication services. Geographicportions within the satellite's footprint that have ahigher-demand for communication services are dynamicallyprovided additional antenna beams while geographicportions having a lower demand for communication servicesare provided less antenna beams. When used on a non-geostationary satellite, the digital beam formingcoefficients are dynamically adjusted to steer the antennabeams to maintain their ground location. The antennabeams are also shaped to help optimized geographiccoverage.