Stuart T. Linsky

Broadband Communication Systems for the Emerging Ka-Band Market

TRW initiated development of the Gen*Star processing payload in response to the demands for broadband satellite systems and services. The Gen*Star system development was conducted with the objective of providing profitable broadband connectivity with seamless interfaces to a terrestrial infrastructure. To accomplish this objective, highly reliable network nodes in space with robust communication links and sophisticated onboard signal and data processing are required. The Gen*Star satellite payload provides such communication links and processing functions in a package suitable for launch into space using technologies designed to operate in space for years. Business analysis, terminal concepts, payload technologies, network simulation and analysis, and network operations were incorporated into the development process for the Gen*Star payload. TRW has completed simulations, a functional hardware prototype of the payload, a complete engineering model payload, and integration of the first flight payload.