Wideband gapfiller satellite (WGS) system

The wideband gapfiller satellites will provide near-term continuation and augmentation of the services currently provided by the defense satellite communications system (DSCS) and the global broadcast service (GBS) Ka services currently provided by GBS payloads on UFO satellites. WGS will provide services to the U.S. Department of Defense and other Government users. The Gapfiller satellites will serve as a means to continue and increase the capability of wideband services between the period of approximately 2005 to 2025. This paper presents (1) a review of some of the important features of the WGS system and (2) key design issues for the flexible digital channelizer, which is critical to the routing and switching performed on-board the satellite. The results contained in this submission were generated in whole, or in part, through work supporting the MILSATCOM joint program office (MJPO). The authors are very appreciative of the insight provided by the SMC/MC program office of the Space and Missile Center and Boeing Satellite Systems (BSS) in understanding portions of the wideband gapfiller satellite