Cognitive Spectrum Utilization in Ka Band Multibeam Satellite Communications

Multibeam satellite networks in Ka band have been designed to accommodate the increasing traffic demands of the coming years. However, these systems are spectrum limited due to the current spectrum allocation policies. This paper investigates the potentials of applying cognitive radio techniques in satellite communications in order to increase the spectrum opportunities for future generation of satellite networks without interfering operation of incumbent services. These extra spectrum opportunities can potentially amount to 2.4 GHz of bandwidth in downlink, and to 2 GHz of bandwidth in uplink for high density fixed satellite services (HDFSS).