Performance analysis of Ku-band VSAT networks

A critical parameter of a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite network, namely the availability of its links, is defined as the percentage of time that information can be transmitted and received with acceptable quality. The information quality is quantified, and the factors that affect it are described. Link unavailability (outage) due to equipment problems and rainfall is discussed. The use of spread-spectrum techniques is considered. A performance analysis example is provided and some conclusions are drawn