Fulvio Ananasso

The role of satellites in personal communication services

This paper aims at providing a complete analysis of the issues relevant to satellite systems in the perspective of the third generation of mobile systems. The analysis considers, on the one hand, the possible satellite system evolutionary paths and, on the other hand, the satellite system requirements related to technological issues. As regards the satellite evolutionary paths, the paper provides a view of the satellite systems already in operation or currently being developed and outlines the guidelines followed by future satellite systems (in that respect, particular emphasis is given to small satellites). The analysis is performed by also taking into account the potential market and the regulatory issues. As regards the satellite system requirements related to technological issues, some key features such as integration with the terrestrial cellular networks, satellite system capacity, handover, synchronization, are discussed in the light of the technological innovations which are being proposed for the third generation of mobile systems. The above-mentioned issues are dealt with by referring both to time division multiple access (TDMA) and to code division multiple access (CDMA), i.e., the third-generation candidate access techniques. >

Satellite systems for personal communication networks

The paper addresses some issues related to Satellite Personal Communication Networks (S‐PCNs). The role of satellite communications in that scenario is discussed, and some characteristics of S‐PCNs are identified. In addition, the problem of the integration of S‐PCNs with the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) is considered. In this respect an original methodology for accomplishing such integration is proposed; such methodology aims at avoiding complex protocol conversions at the interfaces between the terrestrial and the satellite segment. The paper is partly based upon the work performed by the authors in the framework of the European Community INSURED Project “INtegrated Satellite UMTS Real Environment Demonstrator”.

Technology and networking issues in 3rd generation satellite personal communication networks

The paper expands on some relevant technology and networking issues for the 3rd generation personal communication networks exploiting satellite features. Since satellite communications are essential to provide personal communication services (PCS) on a global scenario, terrestrial and satellite network integration is a mandatory requirement; this means that translation to the satellite world of the basic breakthroughs of terrestrial cellular network is required. The paper provides a view of the satellite systems already in operation or currently being developed and outlines the guidelines followed by future satellite systems. The satellite potential market is considered as well. Moreover, the paper addresses some of the most significant topics related to both code division multiple access (CDMA) and time division multiple access (TDMA) techniques that are the two candidates for 3rd generation PCS. In particular, packet reservation multiple access, dynamic channel allocation seamless handover, soft handover and some of the main advances in CDMA techniques are dealt with in some detail outlining their potential utilization in the satellite systems.<<ETX>>

Efficiency and linearity oriented design criteria for solid state transmitters in on-board satellite applications

The impact of efficiency and linearity requirements on the overall architecture of the onboard transmitting section is analyzed in the frame of satellite applications. The technological choices (e.g. vacuum or solid state) together with the working frequency range play a key role in the design procedures and complexity. Those items are therefore investigated as well as related to the specific needs arising in onboard systems.<<ETX>>

Mobile communications via the European mobile satellite system (EMS)

The authors analyze some technical and market issues that influence the implementation strategy of a land mobile satellite system via the payload EMS (European Mobile System) launched on the ITALSAT F-2 satellite. To define an implementation scenario, several issues have to be considered, such as the market demand, the competitive systems, the problems of interworking with other existing and/or planned systems, the definition of network architecture that better suit the user requirements, the marketing strategy definition, and financial evaluation of the project. Some of these issues are discussed.<<ETX>>

Technology challenges in TDMA approach to 3rd generation personal communication services

The paper addresses some topics relevant to the 3rd generation personal communication services (PCS) in view of a potential utilization of time division multiple access (TDMA), i.e. one of the two candidate access technique for 3rd generation PCS. Since satellite communications are essential to provide PCS on a global scenario, terrestrial and satellite network integration is a mandatory requirement; this means that translation to the satellite world of the basic breakthroughs of terrestrial cellular network is required. In that respect the paper addresses some specific TDMA topics such as packet reservation multiple access (PRMA), dynamic channel allocation (DCA), synchronization of the control decisions, seamless handover, frame alignment. Particular emphasis is put on integration of satellites with terrestrial cellular networks.

Non-regenerative on-board processing for multi-beam mobile satellite systems

The authors deal with a transparent repeater approach to onboard processing (OBP), utilizing satellite-switched frequency-division multiple access (SS-FDMA) to the satellite. Some relevant architectural issues are addressed regarding system reconfigurability, and relevant onboard technologies to implement the SS-FDMA router are indicated.<<ETX>>