A communication system having gateway filter and switching networks in forward
and return channels of a frequency reuse communication satellite. The system couples
subscriber terminals to the Internet or other terrestrial network by way of one
or more gateways. The system cross-straps gateway-to-user beam connectivity provided
by the communication satellite to allow full coverage of all user beams with a
subset of the gateways having reduced frequency reuse. An exemplary system comprises
a communication satellite having a return channel and a forward channel. One or
more gateways are coupled to the Internet or other terrestrial network and communicate
with subscriber terminals by way of the return and forward channels provided by
the satellite. The return and forward channels each comprise a filter and switching
network that selectively couple signals between the one or more gateways and the
subscriber terminals. The filter and switching networks selectively couples signals
between selected gateways and selected subscriber terminals using predetermined beams.
