Patent ID: 6871045
Filing Date: 2005-03-22
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A method of matching a communications satellite footprint to an area to be served, the steps comprising: providing a first satellite with a plurality of transponders and a plurality of downlink antenna feeds, each transponder connected to a corresponding downlink antenna feed to provide a downlink beam independent of other downlink beams; providing a pattern controller within the satellite to select, based on signals from a ground station, a transmission footprint corresponding to a pattern for the downlinks by selectively turning on and off transponders; turning on a first set of less than all of the transponders to provide a first transmission footprint corresponding to a first geographic area to be served; sending a pattern control signal from a ground station; receiving the pattern control signal in the satellite; and using the pattern controller to change, based on the pattern control signal, to a second transmission footprint corresponding to a second geographic area to be served, the change to the second transmission footprint accomplished by selectively turning on and off transponders such that a second set of less than all of the transponders remains on, the second set being different than the first set.