Affiliations: Communications Research Laboratory, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications 4‐2‐1, Nukui‐Kitamachi, Koganei, Tokyo 184, Japan Tel.: +81 423 27 5699; Fax: +81 423 27 6123; E‐mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The objective of the Gigabit satellite is to provide the global high‐data‐rate communications network. The key technologies are the Ka‐band scanning sport beams, on‐board ATM switch, inter‐satellite laser link and the advanced beam control.