A satellite business network in Germany

A circuit switched service integrated digital satellite network for business users is described. It will operate within the framework of the German Kopernikus satellite system. A demand-assigned TDMA (time-division multiple-access) system will provide access to up to four satellite transponders and emulate a spatially distributed toll switch. Another switch included in each Earth station will connect to the TDMA system via standard 2 Mb/s trunk groups using CCITT No.7 signalling, and provides local subscribers with switched voice and high-speed data services. The whole network will be operated from one central facility.<>