Satellite Networks: Architectures, Applications, and Technologies

Since global satellite networks are moving to the forefront in enhancing the national and global information infrastructures due to communication satellites' unique networking characteristics, a workshop was organized to assess the progress made to date and chart the future. This workshop provided the forum to assess the current state-of-the-art, identify key issues, and highlight the emerging trends in the next-generation architectures, data protocol development, communication interoperability, and applications. Presentations on overview, state-of-the-art in research, development, deployment and applications and future trends on satellite networks are assembled

Etude d'une architecture IP intégrant un lien satellite géostationnaire

Cette thèse aborde les problèmes relatifs à l'intégration des satellites géostationnaires dans les réseaux IP. Une première étape de ce travail consiste en une analyse critique des systèmes utilisant le Digital Video Broadcating pour véhiculer des flux IP. Cette étude souligne les faiblesses des solutions actuelles : tandis que les solutions classiques souffrent de limites inhérentes à la technologie et aux protocoles utilisées, les propositions reposant sur les satellites de nouvelles génération impliquent un système spécifique et à fortes contraintes financières. Ces limites engendrent des difficultés d'interopérabilité, témoignant de la nécessité d'une démarche plus globale qui viserait à dessiner une architecture plus large qui ne reposerait pas sur des contraintes techniques. La thèse propose alors de suivre cette démarche, et de concevoir une architecture pour intégrer ces différentes solutions dans un seul système et pouvoir supporter des services porteurs comme l'accès Internet, la vidéo à la demande et l'interconnexion de réseaux privés. Au coeur de cette architecture se trouve la notion de charge utile hybride, c'est-à-dire intégrant une partie transparente traditionnelle et une partie régénérative utilisant une intelligence embarquée plus ou moins évoluée. Ses objectifs sont alors d'assurer l'intégration de services porteurs sur satellite, d'offrir une transition entre les systèmes transparents et les satellites de nouvelle génération, et enfin de s'adapter aux évolutions protocolaires. Dans ce contexte, cette proposition est décrite à plusieurs niveaux, en insistant sur le lien entre le niveau réseau et la couche liaison. Cette description implique des choix technologiques témoignant des solutions actuelles, mais reste ouverte aux technologies à venir par son intégration d'IP comme un élément fédérateur. Enfin l'analyse du système hybride permet de légitimer les services choisis, et de souligner sa flexibilité offerte par la coexistence de ces deux modes et la possibilité de choisir pour chaque type de trafic celui qui permet les meilleurs performances. ABSTRACT : This thesis studies issues related to the integration of geostationary satellites in IP networks. A first part of this work presents an analysis of today and future DVB systems for IP support. The limits of standard solutions are underlined. However new technologies and protocols adaptations allow satellite systems to be more compliant to IP services, but at several costs: high complexity and specificity. As there is a real need of a global solution, an architecture based on two different payloads (a transparent one and an on-board-processing) in a same system is proposed for service integration. This solution, called a hybrid system, is defined according to different service needs. It proposes to undertake the transition between today systems and next generation satellites, as to integrate different services and protocols. The study describes such a solution, underlining that the technologic choices have been made according to today solutions, and may be changed in future days. Eventually this architecture is evaluated. The analysis of the system overhead for IP support shows that the architecture proposes a light way to manage IP streams and hybrid mode. The study of service integration concludes on the flexibility of managing two modes for different traffic streams, allowing the best performances for each one

Optimização de recursos para difusão em redes de próxima geração

Doutoramento em ElectrotecniaEsta tese aborda o problema de optimização de recursos de rede, na entrega de Serviços de Comunicação em Grupo, em Redes de Próxima Geração que suportem tecnologias de difusão. De acordo com esta problemática, são feitas propostas que levam em atenção a evolução espectável das redes 3G em Redes Heterogéneas de Próxima Geração que incluam tecnologias de difusão tais como o DVB. A optimização de recursos em Comunicações em Grupo é apresentada como um desafio vertical que deve cruzar diversas camadas. As optimizações aqui propostas cobrem tanto a interface entre Aplicação e a Plataforma de Serviços para a disponibilização de serviços de comunicação em grupo, como as abstracções e mapeamentos feitos na interface entre a Rede Central e a Rede de Acesso Rádio. As optimizações propostas nesta tese, assumem que o caminho evolutivo na direcção de uma Rede de Próxima Geração é feito através do IP. Em primeiro lugar são endereçadas as optimizações entre a Aplicação e a Plataforma de Serviços que já podem ser integradas nas redes 3G existentes. Estas optimizações podem potenciar o desenvolvimento de novas e inovadoras aplicações, que através do uso de mecanismos de distribuição em difusão podem fazer um uso mais eficiente dos recursos de rede. De seguida são apresentadas optimizações ao nível da interface entre a Rede Central e a Rede de Acesso Rádio que abordam a heterogeneidade das redes futuras assim como a necessidade de suportar tecnologias de difusão. É ainda considerada a possibilidade de aumentar a qualidade de serviço de serviços de difusão através do mapeamento do IP multicast em portadoras unidireccionais. Por forma a validar todas estas optimizações, vários protótipos foram desenvolvidos com base num router avançado para redes de acesso de próxima geração. As funcionalidades e arquitectura de software desse router são também aqui apresentadas.This thesis addresses the problem of optimizing network resource usage, for the delivery of Group Services, in Next Generation Networks featuring broadcast technologies. In this scope, proposals are made according to the expected evolution of 3G networks into Next Generation Heterogeneous Networks that include broadcast technologies such as DVB. Group Communication resource optimization is considered a vertical challenge that must cross several layers. The optimizations here proposed cover both Application to Service Platform interfaces for group communication services, and Core Network to Radio Access Network interface abstractions and mappings. The proposed optimizations are also presented taking into consideration network evolution path towards an All-IP based Next Generation Network. First it is addressed the Application to Service Platform optimization, which can already be deployed over 3G networks. This optimization could potentiate the development of new and innovative applications that through the use of broadcast/multicast service delivery mechanisms could be more efficient network wise. Next proposals are made on the Core Network to Radio Access Network interfaces that address the heterogeneity of future networks and consider the need to support broadcast networks. It is also considered the possibility to increase the Quality of Service of broadcast/multicast services based on the dynamic mapping of IP multicast into unicast radio bearers. In order to validate these optimizations, several prototypes were built based on an advanced access router for next generation networks. Such access router functionalities and software architecture are also presented here