Satellite cluster with synchronized payload processors and method for use in space-based systems

摘要

A communication satellite system (100) includes one or more satellite clusters (150). Each satellite cluster (150) includes synchronized payload processors which are interconnected and synchronized into a parallel processing system using at least one crosslink (208) between multiple processor payload satellites (204). One element in the synchronized payload processors acts as a primary processor and other processor elements act as secondary processors. The primary processor controls and synchronizes the secondary processors. Various services which can include communication services, imaging services, and navigational services are provided to communication units (130) using at least one processor payload satellite (204) in satellite cluster (150). Two or more satellite clusters (150) are connected via a crosslink (138) which provides a communication and synchronization path between the satellite clusters (150).