Traffic modelling for a high capacity multi-beam satellite network with on-board cross-connectivity

We present a methodology to model traffic for analysis and simulation of a high capacity multi-beam satellite network with on-board cross-connectivity. We discuss different types of traffic including voice and data and model them by using several parameters such as up and down peak and average data rates, session duration, and session frequency. The methodology we use generalizes techniques, for generating a community of interest, that were previously used for telephony networks to multimedia networks in general and satellite networks in particular. We report in this paper on simulation and analysis results for the methodology. The traffic modelling approach and technique presented in this paper enables a satellite system planner to thoroughly evaluate and analyze the impact of a variety of traffic scenarios on the satellite network. Based on the detailed analysis, design tradeoffs can be made with a high degree of confidence.