Forward Link Optimization for the Design of VHTS Satellite Networks

Flor G Ortiz-Gomez,Ramón Martínez,Miguel A Salas-Natera,Andrés Cornejo,Salvador Landeros-Ayala

doi:10.3390/electronics9030473

Flor G Ortiz-Gomez, Ramón Martínez + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics9030473

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Abstract

The concept of geostationary VHTS (Very High Throughput Satellites) is based on multibeam coverage with intensive frequency and polarization reuse, in addition to the use of larger bandwidths in the feeder links, in order to provide high capacity satellite links at a reduced cost per Gbps in orbit. The dimensioning and design of satellite networks based on VHTS imposes the analysis of multiple trade-offs to achieve an optimal solution in terms of cost, capacity, and the figure of merit of the user terminal. In this paper, we propose a new method for sizing VHTS satellite networks based on an analytical expression of the forward link CINR (Carrier-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio) that is used to evaluate the trade-off of different combinations of system parameters. The proposed method considers both technical and commercial requirements as inputs, including the constraints to achieve the optimum solution in terms of the user G/T, the number of beams, and the system cost. The cost model includes both satellite and ground segments. Exemplary results are presented with feeder links using Q/V bands, DVB-S2X and transmission methods based on CCM and VCM (Constant and Variable Coding and Modulation, respectively) in two scenarios with different service areas.

Highlights

Traffic demand is increasing significantly in satellite communication systems
The methodology presented in this paper aims to obtain an optimal Very High ThroughputSatellites (VHTS) system at a minimum cost per Gbps in orbit, and at a maximum capacity per beam, according to a set of technical and commercial requirements
The methodology presented in this paper aims to obtain the optimal VHTS system that achieves the minimum cost per Gbps in orbit obtained the maximum capacity per beam according to a set

Summary

Introduction

Satellites (VHTS) are usually geostationary satellite systems that will be able to meet traffic demand in the upcoming years [1,2,3]. In this sense, VHTS systems exceed the capacity of traditional FSS and MSS systems (Fixed and Mobile Satellite Services, respectively) with contoured regional footprints and aspire to achieve 1 Terabit/s per satellite in the near future [4]. VHTS systems are based on the following technical considerations to achieve expected performance and overcome atmospheric attenuations in Ka-band satellite links: multibeam footprint in the service area, the reuse of frequency and polarization [4,7], the use of highly spectral efficient transmission techniques (e.g., DVB-S2X) and, advanced link adaptation strategies, such as Variable and Adaptive. From a system design perspective, the use of link adaptation techniques is motivated by the need to select the most appropriate modulation and coding scheme to meet the link budget conditions and availability requirements of each user terminal

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