Capacity of two-layered satellite networks

Abstract

Satellite networks have great potential in providing global ubiquitous broadband communication. In this paper, we explore the capacity of both single-layered and two-layered satellite networks. Closed-form approximate expressions of network capacity are derived, which provide insights into the impact of different network parameters, such as number of orbits, number of satellites in each orbit, link bandwidth, existence of the seam, the relative position between the two layers, etc. We investigate the advantages of two-layered structure by comparing the capacity of single-layered and two-layered networks. The results show that the network capacity of two-layered networks is always no less than the total capacity of the two layers. Moreover, we obtain the network parameter condition under which the network capacity of two-layered networks is strictly larger than the sum capacity of the two layers. The results obtained in this paper can serve as a guideline for the design of efficient multi-layered satellite networks.