Advanced EHF Technologies for Lightweight Augmentation / Restoration Communications Satellites

Small EHF satellites can significantly complement the anti-jam service provided by basic EHF MILSATCOM space segments. Mobile/survivable launch vehicles with rapid launch preparations can be utilized to responsively deploy these small satellites into high altitude elliptical or circular orbits. From such orbits, only a few satellites are needed to provide high duty cycle coverage of a critical area. The communications capabilities provided by these EHF payloads can range from low data rate services (75 to 2400 bps per channel) to high data rate links (10 Mbps or more per link) depending on the payload configuration. Through the use of EHF waveform standards, these augmentation/ restoration satellites will be compatible with existing and planned EHF terminals. Advanced technologies permit the development of the highly capable lightweight payloads required for these roles. Some of the key payload technologies include adaptive uplink antennas; high speed low power digital signal processing subsystems; lightweight frequency hopping synthesizers; and efficient solid-state transmitters.