Abstract:A hybrid topology is proposed in order to satisfy high reliability and flexibility, low implementation complexity of wireless network in a satellite cluster. In a satellite cluster employing the proposed topology, a meshed topology in analog domain is realized by deploying analog switching payload in each satellite; a two-center topology in digital domain is achieved by deploying digital switching payload in the two switching satellites. Theoretical and numerical analysis demonstrates that, the topology reliability of hybrid topology is the same as that of meshed topology, while the implementation complexity is lower than that of meshed topology. Furthermore, the switching granularities of beam/wavelength, sub-band and packet are achieved in a satellite cluster with the hybrid topology.