Performance Evaluation of Resource Management Schemes for Non-GSO Satellite Communications

Abstract

Efficient resource management is mandatory to achieve maximum system capacity for next generation communications systems. Resource management deals with the available spectral band, time, power, and space for a transmission signal. It includes (i) the frequency planning, (ii) the selection of transmit power, and (iii) the assignment of the channels and access nodes to the users. The paper presents a generalized notation as well as graph algorithms for resource management problems. Impairment graphs can be used for frequency planning, whereas flow graphs are suitable for channel access problems. To evaluate the performance of the resource management, service criteria (such as blocking or the carrier to interference ratio C/I) or efficiency criteria (bandwidth requirements) can be derived from the graphs. The resource management techniques are applied to satellite networks with non-geostationary orbits yielding time-variant network topologies. As a simple example, the channel assignment and capacity optimization of the EuroSkyWay system are shown. Furthermore, a comparison of fixed, dynamic and hybrid channel allocation schemes (FCA, DCA, HCA) for a typical MEO satellite scenario is given. Satellite diversity and its impact on bandwidth requirement and transmission quality is also examined.