Next generation Ka band payloads

In developed countries there is a "digital-divide" between those that have access to broadband services, delivered by terrestrial means, and those that don't. Future space based systems can efficiently bridge this divide, but have to achieve a user cost per bit comparable with their terrestrial counterparts. This cost can be achieved through the use of multibeam digitally processed payloads offering high levels of flexibility and spectral efficiency. This talk presents payload architectures that are able to meet these requirements and focuses on the benefits provided by next generation on-board digital processors at system and payload level.