Mitigation of time-slot conflicts for half-duplex radios in satellite-communication networks

Time-division multiple access (TDMA) techniques continue to have important advantages in many satellite-communication networks. The extent to which time-slot conflicts are avoided is quantified as a function of TDMA system parameters such as frame length, time-slot sizes, and type of satellite orbit - geosynchronous, low-Earth orbit (LEO), or middle-Earth orbit (MEO). A technique that increases the availability of conflict-free regions of the TDMA frame is described, and the advantage offered by this technique is quantified as a function of the TDMA system parameters. Examples based on existing TDMA systems are illustrated.