Performance evaluation of TCP‐based applications over DVB‐RCS DAMA schemes

Abstract

AbstractTransmission Control Protocol (TCP) performance over Digital Video Broadcasting—Return Channel via Satellite (DVB‐RCS) standard is greatly affected by the total delay, which is mainly due to two components, propagation delay and access delay. Both are significant because they are dependent on the long propagation path of the satellite link. The former is intrinsic and due to radio wave propagation over the satellite channel for both TCP packets and acknowledgements. It is regulated by the control loop that governs TCP. The latter is due to the control loop that governs the demand assignment multiple access (DAMA) signalling exchange between satellite terminals and the network control center, necessary to manage return link resources. DAMA is adopted in DVB‐RCS standard to achieve flexible and efficient use of the shared resources. Therefore, performance of TCP over DVB‐RCS may degrade due to the exploitation of two nested control loops also depending on both the selected DAMA algorithm and the traffic profile.This paper analyses the impact of basic DAMA implementation on TCP‐based applications over a DVB‐RCS link for a large set of study cases. To provide a detailed overview of TCP performance in DVB‐RCS environment, the analysis includes both theoretical approach and simulation campaign. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.