The system will complement new Boeing satellites for Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV). The development includes GBBF processors, calibration earth stations, and the control and management subsystem for three L-band satellite networks.

The MSV network is designed to deliver advanced voice and data services via a seamless, satellite/terrestrial hybrid architecture into devices that are virtually identical to today’s cell phone handsets in terms of aesthetics, cost, function, and mobility.

Optimized Frequency Sharing Between Satellite and Terrestrial Cellular
The Comsat Labs GBBF system creates hundreds of small, flexible, adaptive “spot” beams on the earth that allow mobile handsets to communicate directly with the satellite with smaller antennas, higher speeds, and better performance than ever before.  While the beams are projected to the earth by the satellite, the ground system performs the beam-shaping signal processing.

GBBF technology brings three major benefits to satellite systems:

• Faster and lower cost satellite deployment because the processing is on the ground, rather than part of the satellite bus
• Ability to coordinate frequency use and remove interference for mass numbers of subscribers
• Refocusing of satellite capacity to the areas of greatest need.

Getting Satellite Capacity to Where the Action Is
Another possible application is for military communications. Affordable and fast re-direction of beams could provide service to new locations as troops move.  And, if hackers jam or otherwise interrupt satellite service, satellite operators can null out the beam under attack, while services continue for other areas through other spot beams.