Cross-layer designed effective bandwidth estimation for broadband multimedia satellite networks with adaptive forward error control

Two effective bandwidth estimation methods for broadband multimedia satellite networks with adaptive forward error control (AFEC) were proposed in the paper. Effects of the dynamic code rate of AFEC would be taken into account in estimating the effective bandwidth. First, a fluid approximation method is applied to estimate the effective bandwidth values for general time-varying satellite channels and satellite communication network with multiple-code-rate AFEC. But the requirements of the method are strict and its computing complexity is high for practical purposes. Based on this method, the authors propose a second estimation method by using a modification factor. The numerical results show the second method is simple, effective and widely applicable.