Abstract
This paper aims at presenting different concepts for a broadband access satellite. A hybrid system using Q/V-bands on the feeder links and Ka-band on the user links has been considered. European coverage with a large number of beams allows a large frequency reuse factor depending on the number of colors of the cluster pattern. The use of Q/V band for the feeder links requires site diversity to counteract the strong tropospheric fading occurring at Q/V band and to obtain acceptable link availability. The paper gives an overview of the various trade-offs for frequency-reuse scenarios, size and number of beams, number of gateways, site diversity options and gateway handover. © 2011 by Prof. Michel Bousquet. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.