Performance studies of Low Earth Orbit Satellite (LEOS) communication networks for global communications

Abstract

Communicating appropriate information to desired destinations is of critical importance to the Air Force and the Department of Defense (DoD). The communications infrastructure used to provide this information must be reliable and also efficient in terms of minimizing delay. Additionally, “anytime and anywhere” communication capabilities are desired of the infrastructure. In order to provide global communications, satellite communication systems must be used for primary as well as supplemental communication mediums. Satellite communication systems can be used to provide the infrastructure with the “anytime and anywhere” capability. Recent advances in microelectronic and cellular radio technologies have allowed for the proposed implementation of low earth orbit satellite (LEOS) communication networks for global personal communications. This paper examines the performance of LEOS networks in a packet-switched environment. Performance is defined here in terms of link availability and reliability in a faulty environment. An overview of LEOS systems is provided, as well as critical issues associated with the implementation of such a system. To illustrate the nature of LEOS network communications, the commercially proposed system Iridium is examined.