A satellite switched CDMA system for fixed service communications

Satellite-switched code-division multiple access is a system proposed for geostationary fixed satellite service. SS/CDMA provides both multiple access and switching to a multibeam satellite. In this article we present the system architecture and performance. The SS/CDMA consist of the common air interface (CAI) and the onboard code switching mechanism. The CAI provides signaling control and traffic channels. Traffic channel access and modulation is based on a spectrally efficient CDMA scheme. The satellite code-division switch (CDS) routes calls from an uplink to a downlink beam without onboard demodulation and channel decoding. This system operates with demand assignment control; that is, channel bandwidth and switch connections are only assigned per user request. The system can offer a wide variety of bit rates with wireline quality of service. The services provided are circuit-switched calls for voice data and video, and packet-switched for data. As shown, the proposed SE-CDMA can achieve high capacity and very low bit error rates at low signal-to-noise ratio. Also, the innovative switching technique can provide low complexity and achieve high throughput for all services.