Dynamic channel reservation in satellite-based wireless personal communication networks

Abstract

In low earth orbit (LEO) mobile satellite system, handoff is a prominent issue that originates from satellite constellation movement. For the purpose of quality of service provision, handoff is always intentionally protected to avoid call connection from service interruption. Generally speaking, the handoff protection strategies proposed for use in terrestrial cellular systems are also applicable in satellite environment, but a drawback of these schemes is loss of system capacity. This paper mathematically evaluates the impact on LEO system capacity by channel reservation, which is one of the handoff protection strategies suitable for satellite environment. Based on the findings, a Best Effort Admission scheme is investigated in mobile satellite systems to improve channel utilization. A Dynamic Channel Reservation scheme is also proposed for the nonuniformly distributed global traffic demand that makes adaptive channel reservation decision according to local traffic load condition. As suitability of channel reservation varies with traffic load, this dynamic policy provides satisfactory level of service quality at light loaded locations, whereas system capacity will be emphasized at heavy loaded locations.