Interference evaluations and simulations for multisatellite multibeam systems

Abstract

AbstractThird generation communication systems will be characterized by full integration between terrestrial and satellite components. To this aim, global coverage along with not severe requirements for user terminals are mandatory for the satellite segment and the use of constellations of satellites in low or medium Earth orbits (LEO or MEO) seems to be a viable solution. Those satellite systems will adopt multibeam antennas to achieve high spectral efficiency and low‐cost terminals. Thus, interference becomes one of the most limiting factors in terms of both link availability and capacity.The paper presents a more complete interference model than previously published in literature. The identification of the interfering users set has been introduced and all the factors impacting interference generation or isolation have been considered in case of both FDMA and CDMA access. This model is suitable for instantaneous analysis of multisatellite constellations. It has been implemented and time‐domain simulations have been performed to evaluate the impairments due to co‐channel interference for different access techniques for LEO configuration.Simulation results on interference and users spatial distribution, on trade‐offs between interference and system capacity will be presented. Finally, the main interference mitigation techniques will be listed and discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.