Trends in QoS provisioning in multimedia satellite networks

We first introduce the basics of satellite communication systems including a generic design topology. We then focus on multimedia satellite networks, in which the forward link capacity may become a ldquobottleneckrdquo operating under multimedia traffic and dynamically changing channel conditions or other anomalies. We present the system trade-offs, design objectives, and motivation for developing a proper solution algorithms for multimedia satellite networks. Then, source and channel models are described to establish an efficient and comprehensive resource allocation algorithm that maximizes the system resources while maintaining the QoS under dynamic traffic and channel conditions. While most of the research present in the literature addresses admission control and rate control independently, we show that coordination of these control mechanisms is crucial in the optimization of the overall system performance and resource management. For measures of performance, we introduce a discrete-event simulator that is utilized to quantify throughput, frame loss due to congestion during transmission as well as QoS variations due to channel and source rate changes. We present simulation results to indicate the throughput and/or quality gains when the system parameters are adjusted properly. Finally, we present open problems for improving QoS in multimedia satellite networks.