An architecture design of a VSAT satellite network for multimedia on demand services

A promising candidate for the provision of a flexible WAN for a multimedia on-demand (MMOD) system is the use of satellite links. Advances in technology have given a new thrust to the satellite communication industry by deploying low cost very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks for data, voice, and video communication. In this paper, we propose an architecture design of a VSAT network for multimedia on demand services. Two types of architecture are represented namely: the centralized multimedia on demand network system and the distributed system. The components of these two systems and the function of each component are investigated. A protocol for the multimedia on demand network system is also presented in this paper. The protocol defines the procedure for exchange of data between the VSATs and the MMOD server. In addition, the most common user activities and the effect of these activities are discussed. Finally, selected results of the network performance for a number of dependent VSAT network elements, obtained through analytic queuing and simulation models are presented. The paper concludes that by using a VSAT network for MMOD services, it is feasible to build low cost, easy to install and expandable MMOD systems.