Gateway diversity for a future high throughput satellite system

The continuous increase of traffic demands for satellite networks motivates the evolution of the telecommunication satellite technology towards wider channels and multiple beam operation with frequency re-use across the coverage. This is made possible by the use of higher frequency bands. Recent research projects 1,2 have investigated multi-beam coverages with more than 200 user beams operated in Ka band, to offer very large data throughputs over Europe. Since 2012, the European Commission project Broadband Access via integrated Terrestrial and Satellite systems (BATS) has explored a similar concept based on a dual satellite solution offering around 302 user beams over EU27 and Turkey, targeting 2020 timeframe, see Figure 1. In all these systems, so as to maximize the user link capacity, the whole civil band allocated to Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) in Ka band (20/30 GHz) is dedicated to the user links. The feeder links thus have to be operated in another band. An attractive option is to rely on Q/V bands (30/40 GHz) to provide the gateway-to-satellite links. Despite the large available bandwidths in Q/V band (5 GHz in each direction), the very large user aggregated bandwidths are required to implement several tens of gateways to provide the necessary capacity

Overview of DVB-RCS+M and its development

The use of DVB-S and DVB-RCS for conducting two-way communications from small satellite terminals has become well established in Europe and elsewhere. During the development of DVB-RCS the possibility of limited use for satellite terminals that were moving was considered in January 2004 and incorporated into the Guideline document associated with the Standard in April 2005. It was noted, however, that this matter could be addressed further as a future development. This paper addresses the steps that have been taken since then to realize this objective. During the last few years, it has been shown that the DVB-S2/DVB-RCS specifications are good candidate baselines for the efficient implementation of broadband services to mobile users. Results of these studies were gathered in a study mission report from the TM-RCS ad hoc group. It was demonstrated that both forward and return channel waveforms are impacted by the mobile usage, and should be addressed in the scope of an update of the DVB-RCS standard. Technical analysis identified that DVB-RCS, as it had been originally designed for fixed satellite services, provided most of the features required by mobile applications above 5GHz, and could be turned into a competitive solution with a few carefully crafted modifications. Subsequent activities within the TM-RCS Group have led to an efficient and robust standard that incorporates mobility more definitely into version 1.5.1 of the DVB-RCS specifications, along with appropriate detailed 'Guidelines' documentation giving expanded description of the standard and its use and application. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Overview of DVB-RCS+M and its development

The use of DVB-S and DVB-RCS for conducting two-way communications from small satellite terminals has become well established in Europe and elsewhere. During the development of DVB-RCS the possibility of limited use for satellite terminals that were moving was considered in January 2004 and incorporated into the Guideline document associated with the Standard in April 2005. It was noted, however, that this matter could be addressed further as a future development. This paper addresses the steps that have been taken since then to realize this objective. During the last few years, it has been shown that the DVB-S2/DVB-RCS specifications are good candidate baselines for the efficient implementation of broadband services to mobile users. Results of these studies were gathered in a study mission report from the TM-RCS ad hoc group. It was demonstrated that both forward and return channel waveforms are impacted by the mobile usage, and should be addressed in the scope of an update of the DVB-RCS standard. Technical analysis identified that DVB-RCS, as it had been originally designed for fixed satellite services, provided most of the features required by mobile applications above 5GHz, and could be turned into a competitive solution with a few carefully crafted modifications. Subsequent activities within the TM-RCS Group have led to an efficient and robust standard that incorporates mobility more definitely into version 1.5.1 of the DVB-RCS specifications, along with appropriate detailed 'Guidelines' documentation giving expanded description of the standard and its use and application. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Mobile Returns. The New Standard for Two-Way Broadband Interactive Mobile Satellite Services

DVB-RCS was the first interactive DVB system to provide an interactive broadband connection as an extension of the DVB systems. The standard defines the physical and media access control layer protocols between the satellite operator and interactive user terminals. Following a response to a commercial requirement, DVB-RCS has been enhanced with a new set of extensions called DVB-RCS+M, that support broadband communications via mobile satellite services to mobile and typically collective terminals. By ensuring interoperability through an open standard approach with multiple vendors, DVB-RCS+M represents a key enabler for market growth in the mobile satellite communications sector. Successful trials and implementations of DVB-RCS+M have been carried out and the future looks promising