Patent ID: 7509144

Claim:
A scalable satellite communication system comprising: a shared hub modem chassis containing first line card slots, second line card slots and first line cards in the first line card slots, wherein said first line cards are operatively connected by said first line card slots to a first satellite IF/RF converter configured to communicate with a first satellite, said first line cards further configured to perform a first satellite communication function, said second line card slots operatively connected to a second satellite IF/RF converter configured to communicate with a second satellite, said second line card slots further configured to provide a second satellite communication function if the second line cards are operatively connected to the second line card slots and to not provide a second satellite communication function if the second line cards are not operatively connected to the second line card slots, and said second line card slots providing an expansion capability for said satellite communication system when the second satellite communication function is to be provided by adding the second line cards.