Satellite radio interface and radio resource management strategy for the delivery of multicast/broadcast services via an integrated satellite-terrestrial system

A variety of hybrid systems combining third-generation mobile communication networks with broadcast systems have been proposed for the delivery of multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS) to mobile users. The article discusses one of these alternatives, which involves the use of a geostationary satellite component for MBMS delivery. In particular, it proposes a radio access scheme for the satellite component of the system that features maximum commonalities with the standardized T-UMTS WCDMA-based interface. The ultimate advantages of this approach are more efficient delivery of MBMS as far as the mobile network operator is concerned. The required adaptations at the interface layers are described, and the radio resource management strategy that fulfills the particular requirements of the satellite system is presented.     

5G meets satellite: Non-terrestrial network architecture and 3GPP

With 3GPP Release-17, global 5G standards now support non-terrestrial mobile networks comprising radio access network, terminals, and core network. This enables multi-vendor interoperability as well as interoperability with 3GPP-compliant 5G systems. This paper describes the key features enabling the NG-RAN architecture defined for 5G to support non-terrestrial networks. Starting from a general overview of NG-RAN and of the new paradigms of NTN, we introduce the NTN functionality in NG-RAN specifications with respect to feeder link switchover, cell handling, terminal registration, and OAM aspects. We also discuss different scenarios combining satellite access with 3GPP-defined core networks. We also describe some further enhancements expected to be seen in the next 3GPP release (Rel-18). We believe current and upcoming 3GPP work for NTN represents a solid basis on which 5G satellite networks can be built in the upcoming future.     

低轨卫星移动通信系统接入方案

在低轨卫星移动通信系统中,由于卫星和移动用户间的相对运动使得呼叫切换频繁发生.为了降低星间切换请求到达率,减小系统切换开销,本文在距离优先接入方案基础上进一步提出了两种接入策略:覆盖时间优先方案和仰角加权的覆盖时间优先方案.构造了非均匀分布全球话务密度模型.并参照某实际系统参数,对不同接入方案准则下的全球话务服务进行了系统仿真,得到了相应的系统性能参数.     

Efficient resource utilization through carrier grouping forhalf-duplex communication in GSM-based MEO mobile satellitenetworks

In the near future, existing terrestrial radio networks are envisioned to integrate with satellite systems in order to provide global coverage. In order to establish communication for both nonhand-held and hand-held user terminals, the radio link design must allow full- and half-duplex operation, respectively, where the latter is desirable when radiation power restrictions are imposed. In addition, due to user mobility and wireless channel volatility, sophisticated resource management is required, so as to enhance system capacity. However, a major inherent problem of the satellite link is propagation delay, which may lead to inefficient resource allocation and reduced spectral efficiency. We address the resource allocation problem that arises in the context of a medium-Earth-orbit (MEO) satellite system with half-duplex communication capabilities. MEO satellite systems are characterized by large propagation delays and large intrabeam delay variations, which are shown to result in resource consumption. We propose a channel classification scheme, in which the available carriers are partitioned into classes and each class is associated with a range of propagation delays to the satellite. The suggested infrastructure results in better channel utilization and reduced call blocking rate and can be implemented with low signaling load     

Open technical issues in provisioning high-speed interactive dataservices over residential access networks

This article is intended as an overview of high-speed data services delivery over residential access networks. The author identifies and lists some of the most important open technical issues that deserve further investigation by members of the global technical community prior to a truly large-scale deployment of a wide variety of high-speed interactive multiple-media services over state-of-the-art residential broadband access networks. The target access options include hybrid fiber/coax, fiber in the loop, digital subscriber line, digital satellite, broadband wireless, and so forth     

Multiple-access techniques for commercial satellites

The unique multipoint interconnection capabilities of satellite communication networks place a burden on the communications system designer to achieve highly efficient transmission capacity in the face of a very wide range of network requirements. The ability of various types of multiple-access systems to meet these requirements is the subject of this paper. INTELSAT, recognizing that the frequency division multiplex-frequency modulation, frequencY division multiple access (FDM-FM-FDMA) method it currently uses has advantages in some applications but is not optimum for the multiple-access environment, has supported the development of two-digital multiple-access communications techniques: single channel per carrier frequency division multiple access (SPADE) and time division multiple access (TDMA). These two techniques are discussed in detail and the paper concludes with a presentation of a promising multiple-access technique of the future which includes time division switching on board the satellite.     

Physical layer enhancements in 5G-NR for direct access via satellite systems

Among the several features and capabilities introduced by every new 3GPP release on 5G cellular systems, the latest Release 17 will be remembered as the first that specifies a set of enhancements and adaptations to support mobile broadband services via satellite direct access. Specifically focused on the necessary physical layer mechanism and procedure modifications, this paper will present in detail the 3GPP work about the inclusion of satellite systems in 5G networks.     

A space-borne satellite dedicated gateway to the Internet

This article describes a design concept for a new and powerful satellite/terrestrial network to provide global satellite access in space to the Internet. Myriad satellite networks have been announced that are expected to provide a vast repertoire of satellite-enabled telecommunications as well as global broadband access to the Internet. These constellations of satellites will compete for spectrum, as well as for orbital positions, and will introduce widespread RF interference among themselves as well as into the arena of terrestrial wireless communications. The gateway-in-space, defined and described in this article, offers a significant solution to these challenges by providing an in-space gateway access, with all its resources, for the many individual satellite networks     

IPv6 networks over DVB‐RCS satellite systems

Satellite plays an important role in global information infrastructure (GII) and next generation networks (NGNs). Similarly, satellite communication systems have great advantages to support IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) networks as a technology that allows universal access to broadband e‐services (audio, video, VPN, etc.). In the context of DVB‐S2 (digital video broadcast‐satellite) and DVB‐RCS (digital video broadcast‐return channel via satellite) standards, this paper presents the current SatSix project (satellite‐based communications systems within IPv6 networks) within the European 6th Framework Programme, which is implementing innovative concepts and effective solutions (in relation with the economical cost) for broadband satellite systems and services using the technology presented above. This project is promoting the introduction of the IPv6 protocol into satellite‐based communication systems. Moreover, through SatSix, the industry is addressing the next generation Internet, IPv6. It also enhances its competitive position in satellite broadband multimedia systems by exploiting the common components defined by the European DVB‐S2 and DVB‐RCS satellite broadband standards. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Secure delivery of images over open networks

We present architectures for the secure delivery of images over open networks, such as the Internet or broadcast networks. Those systems integrate access control mechanisms and tracking procedures, once the pictorial material has been accessed. We show how these architectures have been tested in the context of the connection of cultural databases to the Internet (AQUARELLE system) and in the context of broadcasting of high-value TV programs (OCTALIS system used during the football World Cup). This work shows the interest for a global integrated design of delivery systems in which watermarking, monitoring, and public key infrastructures based on trusted third parties are designed according to coherent functional models     

Future broadband radio access systems for integrated services withflexible resource management

The current challenge in radio networks is to provide integrated broadband services to everybody. The realization of this goal is dependent on both the development of products for the mass market and the improvement of the systems that support these products. New cellular mobile, fixed terrestrial, and satellite systems are being developed to provide broadband integrated services. The users of these new systems will not need, or even want, to know which particular systems are used to access the requested services. The users may negotiate terms of delivery, such as data rate and quality of service, but the actual system of delivery should be transparent. In order to both achieve transparent service delivery and ensure efficient use of the radio frequency spectrum, a flexible and scaleable resource management system is needed. This article highlights the development trends that will form the basis of future network systems and presents some suggestions for the management and control of these systems     

一种GEO/LEO卫星网络中的路由优化策略

空间信息网络具有全球覆盖的能力,是能够保证高速率传输和较宽的带宽,支持灵活的、大规模的网络结构。GEO/LEO双层卫星网络由于具有覆盖关系简单、实施复杂性低等优势成为构建多层卫星网络的新思路。基于卫星群和卫星簇的分层结构,提出了一种GEO/LEO卫星网络中的路由优化策略,该策略主要是通过引入优化卫星路由表和路由信息数据报来实现的。最后的复杂性分析表明该策略在降低网络的星上存储开销和星间通信开销方面具有较高的优越性。     

Satellites for wideband access

Communications satellites are used extensively in wideband communications systems today, due to their economic benefits and ability to meet requirements in unique ways. The satellite industry is satisfying the growing demand for wideband access by developing both new concepts that use existing systems and new satellite systems that are optimized for this service. In many cases, satellite-based systems provide cost-effective solutions and offer capabilities that are difficult to obtain by other technologies. Therefore, satellites will continue to play an important and expanding role in the world of wideband access     

A survey of future broadband multimedia satellite systems, issuesand trends

The demand for advanced information services is growing in terms of both the number of users and the services to be supported. Voice and low-rate data services are insufficient for users in a world where high-speed World Wide Web access is taken for granted. The trend is toward global information networks offering flexible multimedia information services to users on demand, anywhere, anytime. Potential services include video on demand, interactive video, fast Internet access, telemedicine, tele-education, and large file transfer. The need to support bandwidth-intensive multimedia services places new and challenging demands on satellite systems and networks. Flexibility, efficiency, mobility, and the ability to guarantee end-to-end quality of service are at a premium     

Services and supporting architecture of the ESA OBP system

The ESA on-board processing (OBP) satellite system using on-board regeneration and baseband circuit switching has been designed to provide ISDN connectivity and services to users on a Pan-European basis. It is thus seen at its periphery as a 2 Mb/s primary rate access, hence allowing for the interconnection of equipment and terminals compatible with this standard interface. Among the various possible network architectures that the system could support, the business-oriented closed networks look most promising. It has therefore been retained as a prime design driver for OBP system developments. Optionally, connectivity can be offered in an optimized manner to pure data networks, e.g. for LAN-to-LAN interconnection at rates up to 1 Mb/s. In the paper, communication services and networking capabilities offered by the system are briefly reviewed. The internal characteristics of the satellite system allowing for such capabilities are then reviewed and the corresponding performance outlined. The system is shown to be compatible with critical CCITT performance criteria.     

面向全球能源互联网的天空地协同卫星通信网络架构

全球能源互联网的监测、调度、授时、同步及定位等业务均需要能提供广域覆盖、泛在灵活接入服务的可靠通信网络。针对该需求,首先分析阐述全球能源互联背景下各种新型业务需求及其特点,并总结各种业务的共性数据特征;然后论述卫星通信技术的特点以及与全球能源互联网业务特点与数据传输需求的高度契合性,最终提出融合卫星通信网络的全球能源互联网天空地协同网络体系架构。其以IP技术为基础,各层网络通过星间、星地、星空、空空、空地以及地面有线、无线链路连接起来,构建全球覆盖的一体化网络体系。     

Satellite-based Internet: a tutorial

In a satellite-based Internet system, satellites are used to interconnect heterogeneous network segments and to provide ubiquitous direct Internet access to homes and businesses. This article presents satellite-based Internet architectures and discusses multiple access control, routing, satellite transport, and integrating satellite networks into the global Internet     

The role of satellites in personal communication services

This paper aims at providing a complete analysis of the issues relevant to satellite systems in the perspective of the third generation of mobile systems. The analysis considers, on the one hand, the possible satellite system evolutionary paths and, on the other hand, the satellite system requirements related to technological issues. As regards the satellite evolutionary paths, the paper provides a view of the satellite systems already in operation or currently being developed and outlines the guidelines followed by future satellite systems (in that respect, particular emphasis is given to small satellites). The analysis is performed by also taking into account the potential market and the regulatory issues. As regards the satellite system requirements related to technological issues, some key features such as integration with the terrestrial cellular networks, satellite system capacity, handover, synchronization, are discussed in the light of the technological innovations which are being proposed for the third generation of mobile systems. The above-mentioned issues are dealt with by referring both to time division multiple access (TDMA) and to code division multiple access (CDMA), i.e., the third-generation candidate access techniques     

Efficient packet scheduling for heterogeneous multimedia provisioning over broadband satellite networks: An adaptive multidimensional QoS‐based design

With their inherent broadcast capabilities and reliable extensive geographical coverage, the broadband satellite networks are emerging as a promising approach for the delivery of multimedia services in 3G and beyond systems. Given the limited capacity of the satellite component, to meet the diverse quality of service (QoS) demands of multimedia applications, it is highly desired that the available resources can be adaptively utilized in an optimized way. In this paper, we draw our attention on the development and evaluation of an efficient packet scheduling scheme in a representative broadband satellite system, namely satellite digital multimedia broadcasting (SDMB), which is positioned as one of the most attractive solutions in the convergence of a closer integration with the terrestrial mobile networks for a cost‐effective delivery of point‐to‐multipoint services. By taking into account essential aspects of a successful QoS provisioning while preserving the system power/resource constraints, the proposed adaptive multidimensional QoS‐based (AMQ) packet scheduling scheme in this paper aims to effectively satisfy diverse QoS requirements and adaptively optimize the resource utilization for the satellite multimedia broadcasting. The proposed scheme is formulated via an adaptive service prioritization algorithm and an adaptive resource allocation algorithm. By taking into account essential performance criteria, the former is capable of prioritizing contending flows based on the QoS preferences and performance dynamics, while the latter allocates the resources, in an adaptive manner, according to the current QoS satisfaction degree of each session. Simulation results show that the AMQ scheme achieves significantly better performance than those of existing schemes on multiple performance metrics, e.g. delay, throughput, channel utilization and fairness. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.