A Study into the Tradeoffs Between TDM / MF-SCPC and TDM / MF-TDMA Transport Options to Support IP-Based Multimedia Applications Under Different Load Conditions Within a Point-to-Multipoint Satellite Network

Abstract

This thesis provides the reader with an overview of the many elements that are involved in geosynchronous satellite point-to-multipoint Internet Protocol (IP)-based multimedia communications design and also takes a deep dive into the analysis of a real-life scenario, using the TDM / MF-SCPC and TDM / MF-TDMA media access techniques. This thesis starts with a discussion of satellite network topologies utilized within point-to-multipoint satellite communications followed by an overview of the satellite communications channel. A discussion on the intelligent and proper selection of modulation and coding follows. Descriptions and characteristics of the satellite access technologies chosen to be analyzed are next followed by a detailed description of Forward Error Correction (FEC) techniques and a discussion on network-wide tradeoffs so selecting different options. The thesis then presents the results of a real-life scenario, investigating both TDM / MF-SCPC and TDM / MF-TDMA media access technique options, pointing out the tradeoffs brought to the forefront earlier in the study. The major takeaway is that there does not exist a one-size-fits-all solution that works for each and every scenario.