Onboard Processing

Onboard processing refers to the use of signal processing functions implemented within the satellite payload to manipulate communications signals beyond simple amplification and frequency translation. These functions may include digital channelisation, switching, routing, beamforming, power allocation, demodulation, decoding, re-encoding, and remodulation, depending on the payload architecture.

Onboard processing enables greater flexibility and efficiency than traditional bent-pipe repeater systems by allowing dynamic allocation of bandwidth and power, adaptive routing of traffic between beams or coverage areas, and improved interference management. It is a key enabler for advanced payload architectures such as digital transparent processors and regenerative payloads, and is widely used in modern high-throughput satellites and non-geostationary satellite constellations.