Performance study of handoff schemes in broadband ATM mobile satellite networks

We examine the application of wireless ATM protocol in a mobile satellite communication network. We explain the concept of the wireless ATM networks and how we can utilise the advantageous characteristics of the ATM (such as QoS support) in the next generation broadband satellite networks. In particular, we consider the performance of handoff and routing algorithms in satellite systems. As the mobile satellites are in continuous movement, the communication requires frequent handoff and routing decisions. Therefore, handoff and routing can be considered as the most important issues that affect the performance in these networks. We propose new algorithms which can provide a better performance. These algorithms use some predictive characteristics in mobile satellites systems. Our performance metrics are the number of handoff and the routing delay. We show how a routing algorithm can put unnecessary burden on the network by introducing extra handoff events and how we can avoid that by intelligent routing algorithms.