Broadband Satellite Multimedia Research Articles

Evaluation of system performance for the BMSat

SummaryIn recent years, geostationary Earth orbit mobile satellite communications has seen rapid development. The satellite/terrestrial integrated communication networks with Long‐Term Evolution technology have become a research emphasis. China proposed the Radio Interface Technology of Broadband Multimedia Satellite (BMSat) as a candidate to be considered as the satellite component of International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced. To show the feasibility of the BMSat system before implementation, this paper presents a complete simulation of the system performance in different communication scenarios and terminal types specified by the International Telecommunication Union. We also provide a corresponding theoretical analysis and simulation data for practical applications and the future research. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Evolution of satellite communications: Integration of ETSI BSM and DVB-RCS for future satellite terminals

The main added value of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute broadband satellite multimedia (ETSI BSM) architecture is the definition of the Satellite Independent-Service Access Point (SI-SAP) protocol interface, which formally separates Satellite Dependent (SD) from SI layers, thus enabling the implementation of powerful vertical QoS mapping strategies. On the other hand, DVB-S2/RCS satellite standard is considered the driving technology to integrate satellite with terrestrial infrastructure and provide up-to-date services. This paper focuses on the integration of ETSI BSM architecture and DVB-RCS technology, by analysing the adaptations needed on real DVB-RCS terminals to be interoperable with the SI-SAP interface. To this end, the detailed design of an underlying architecture taking into account required adaptations and new functionalities is proposed. The possible further evolutions of the BSM specification are also highlighted, showing the potential for the development of future devices integrating both DVB-RCS and ETSI BSM architectures also in view of the recent upgrade to the DVB-RCS2 standard. The paper also validates the SI-SAP QoS functionalities and proves the performance benefits in terms of QoS and quality of experience of Web-browsing by means of a satellite emulator developed fors this aim. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

An Asynchronous Burst Time Plan Generation Method for Broadband Satellite Multimedia System

In broadband satellite multimedia (BSM) system, burst time plan (BTP) is always periodically generated. We find that this method can have a great effect on the system response ability to bandwidth requests. A general analysis model of BTP generation method is given. An optimized BTP generation (O-BTPG) method is presented by deducing the optimal bandwidth allocation period (BAP) and bandwidth allocation latency (BAL) without considering the signaling overhead caused by BTP. Then a novel asynchronous BTP generation (A-BTPG) method in which the BTP is generated asynchronously according to the traffic load from users’ bandwidth requests is proposed. Simulation results show that A-BTPG can flexibly realize a trade-off between the system response ability and BTP signaling overhead. What’s more, it can be widely used in various regenerative onboard switching BSM systems.

Performance evaluation of selected Transmission Control Protocol variants over a digital video broadcasting‐second generation broadband satellite multimedia system with QoS

SUMMARYThis paper presents an analysis of several Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) variants working over a digital video broadcasting‐second generation (DVB‐S2) satellite link with the support of the Differentiated Services (DiffServ) architecture to provide quality of service (QoS). This analysis is carried out using the NS‐2 simulator tool. Three TCP variants are considered: SACK TCP, Hybla TCP, and CUBIC TCP. These TCP variants are taken as a starting point because they have proven to be the most suitable variants to deal with long delays present in satellite links. The DVB‐S2 link also introduces the challenge of dealing with variable bandwidth, whereas the DiffServ architecture introduces the challenge of dealing with different priorities. In this paper, we propose a DiffServ model that includes a modified queuing mechanism to enhance the goodput of the assured forwarding traffic class. This modified DiffServ model is simulated and tested, considering the interaction of the selected TCP variants. In addition, we present evaluation metrics, significant simulations results, and conclusions about the performance of these TCP variants evaluated over the proposed scenario. As a general conclusion, we show that CUBIC TCP is the TCP variant that shows the best performance in terms of goodput, latency, and friendliness. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

XPLIT: A cross-layer architecture for TCP services over DVB-S2/ETSI QoS BSM

This article proposes XPLIT, a new architecture based on TCP cross-layering and splitting for optimizing the transport layer performance in a DVB-S2 satellite link that employs the ETSI QoS Broadband Satellite Multimedia Services (BSM) standard. The main novelty of our proposal is a complete architecture that perfectly fits this new DVB-S2/ETSI QoS BSM scenario. Our architecture includes the design of satellite-optimized cross-layer TCP protocol, called XPLIT-TCP that uses two control loops to properly manage the system load. The proposal has been implemented to be tested in the NS-2 simulator and we include the most interesting performance evaluation results, which show the excellent performance of our architecture for the intended scenario.

Performance analysis and simulation of various burst time plan generation methods in broadband satellite multimedia system

The Burst Time Plan (BTP) generation is the key for resource allocation in Broadband Satellite Multimedia (BSM) system. The main purpose of this paper is to minimize the system response time to users’ request caused by BTP generation as well as maintain the Quality of Service (QoS) and improve the channel utilization efficiency. Traditionally the BTP is generated periodically in order to simplify the implementation of the resource allocation algorithm. Based on the analysis we find that Periodical BTP Generation (P-BTPG) method cannot guarantee the delay performance, channel utilization efficiency and QoS simultaneously, especially when the capacity requests arrived randomly. The Optimized BTP Generation (O-BTPG) method is given based on the optimal scheduling period and scheduling latency without considering the signaling overhead. Finally, a novel Asynchronous BTP Generation (A-BTPG) method is proposed which is invoked according to users’ requests. A BSM system application scenario is simulated. Simulation results show that A-BTPG is a trade-off between the performance and signaling overhead which can improve the system performance insensitive to the traffic pattern. This method can be used in the ATM onboard switching satellite system and further more can be expended to Digital Video Broadcasting-Return Channel Satellite (DVB-RCS) system or IP onboard routing BSM system in the future.

Broadband satellite multimedia

The broadband satellite multimedia (BSM) architecture standardised by ETSI defines a satellite independent service access point (SI-SAP) interface layer that separates the satellite independent features of the upper layers from the satellite dependant features of the lower layers, and provides a mechanism to carry IP-based protocols over these satellite dependent lower layers. This enables interoperability at the IP layer between satellite systems of different physical and link layers technologies that fully comply with the SI-SAP concept. This study reviews past and current standardisation activities including the BSM quality of service (QoS) architecture, security architecture, network management that have been carried out by the ETSI Technical Committee-Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (TC-SES)/BSM working group and looking into the future to extend current SI-SAP functions that can enhance existing QoS provision and security management capabilities as well as proposing a mobility management architecture that complies with the IEEE 802.21 media independent handover framework to support BSM mobility and to allow integration of satellite networks with fixed and mobile network infrastructures. A service-based network management architecture is also proposed to allow management flexibility and integration of business and operation support functions, paving the way for satellite integration into the Internet of the future.

On-line bandwidth control for quality of service mapping over satellite independent service access points

The Quality of Service (QoS) provision requires the cooperation of all network layers from bottom to top. More specifically, for Broadband Satellite Multimedia (BSM) communications, the physical layers (strictly satellite dependent) are isolated from the rest by a Satellite Independent Service Access Point (SI-SAP), which should offer specific QoS to IP and the upper layers. The structure of SI-SAP and the BSM protocol model “opens the door” to the problem of mapping the performance requests of Satellite Independent layers over Satellite Dependent technology. In such a context, a QoS mapping problem arises when different encapsulation formats are employed along the protocol stack of the SI-SAP interface, for instance, when IP packets are transferred over an ATM, DVB or MPLS core network. In this perspective, we investigate here a novel control algorithm to estimate the bandwidth shift required to keep the same performance guarantees, independent of the technology change. By exploiting Infinitesimal Perturbation Analysis to capture the network performance sensitivity, we obtain an adaptive control law suitable for on-line control on the basis of traffic samples acquired during the network evolution. Owing to the generality of the mathematical framework under investigation, our control mechanism can be generalized for other network scenarios and functional costs.

Simulation analyses of weighted fair bandwidth‐on‐demand (WFBoD) process for broadband multimedia geostationary satellite systems

AbstractAdvanced resource management schemes are required for broadband multimedia satellite networks to provide efficient and fair resource allocation while delivering guaranteed quality of service (QoS) to a potentially very large number of users. Such resource management schemes must provide well‐defined service segregation to the different traffic flows of the satellite network, and they must be integrated with some connection admission control (CAC) process at least for the flows requiring QoS guarantees. Weighted fair bandwidth‐on‐demand (WFBoD) is a resource management process for broadband multimedia geostationary (GEO) satellite systems that provides fair and efficient resource allocation coupled with a well‐defined MAC‐level QoS framework (compatible with ATM and IP QoS frameworks) and a multi‐level service segregation to a large number of users with diverse characteristics. WFBoD is also integrated with the CAC process. In this paper, we analyse via extensive simulations the WFBoD process in a bent‐pipe satellite network. Our results show that WFBoD can be used to provide guaranteed QoS for both non‐real‐time and real‐time variable bit rate (VBR) flows. Our results also show how to choose the main parameters of the WFBoD process depending on the system parameters and on the traffic characteristics of the flows. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A survey of future broadband multimedia satellite systems, issues and trends

The demand for advanced information services is growing in terms of both the number of users and the services to be supported. Voice and low-rate data services are insufficient for users in a world where high-speed World Wide Web access is taken for granted. The trend is toward global information networks offering flexible multimedia information services to users on demand, anywhere, anytime. Potential services include video on demand, interactive video, fast Internet access, telemedicine, tele-education, and large file transfer. The need to support bandwidth-intensive multimedia services places new and challenging demands on satellite systems and networks. Flexibility, efficiency, mobility, and the ability to guarantee end-to-end quality of service are at a premium.

Broadband satellite systems

Recently, the interest in broadband satellite multimedia (BSM) systems has grown rapidly. Advancements in transmission technology have led to the availability of low-cost satellite earth terminals. The superior remote access capabilities of satellite networks are foreseen to provide broadband services to geographically diverse user groups. The desire to support a wide range of broadband services in satellite networks implies that many features present in terrestrial multimedia networks will also emerge in satellite networks. The interest in TCP⁄IP, DVB, and ATM is also demonstrated by the architecture of some proposed new satellite systems. Access to broadband services via satellites is one of the major issues and depends on the type of orbit of the satellite system. This is the motivation for discussing orbits and their features in this article. Different technical features can be achieved when the satellite system serves as an access system and when it serves as an access and core (transport) system. Broadband services need broadband frequency channels. The discussion about spectrum availability led to the conclusion that BSM systems can operate at higher bands, i.e., Ka and V, or they must use unique solutions to be compatible with the existing systems. The problem of electromagnetic compatibility is discussed in many places in this article. There is also a classification of user terminals and a list of services the BSM systems can offer. Of course, for each particular system this list depends on the features of the BSM system, which is selected by the designer and the future operator. Three types of protocols⁄platforms can be identified when BSM systems are considered. There are TCP⁄IP and ATM protocols and the DVB-S platform. This article presents three BSM system concepts: ARCS, Teledesic, and Skybridge. They have been chosen to present several technical aspects, i.e., how to use geostationary satellites in BSM, highly asymmetrical links, bandwidth on demand, beam diversity, spectrum efficiency, EMC aspects, etc. ARCS is a geostationary system with both links provided by the satellite. Many other BSM GSO systems plan to use similar concept (e.g., Direct PC), but only ARCS is well advanced in the standardization process and use of satellite links in both directions. Two other systems, Teledesic and Skybridge, use LEO orbits and are designed with a completely different architecture. Teledesic provides satellite access as well as a satellite core network, while Skybridge is a satellite access system. They differ in coverage, frequency utilization, constellation, and many other important parameters. Considering all this, presenting these three concepts, it is possible to show many technical issues. Other solutions of broadband multimedia systems based on high altitudes platform systems (HAPS) are also presented. The conclusion presents an opinion about the future of BSM systems.