Optimal strategies for admitting voice and data traffic in networks of LEO satellites using CDMA

Abstract

Efficient policies are derived for admitting voice and data traffic into networks of low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites using code-division multiple-access (CDMA) with direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DS/SS) signaling. The satellites act as bent-pipes; no on-board processing or intersatellite links are present. Dual satellite diversity is used to mitigate the effects of shadowing. The policies assume a movable boundary form, allocate optimally the CDMA capacity (PN codes) to voice and data users, and can increase significantly the number of users served while satisfying their bit error rate (BER) requirements. In contrast to direct admission policies that do not take into consideration the statistical features of the traffic, the new policies do account for the different nature of voice and data traffic and the history of prior transmissions/admissions. Two priority schemes are considered: voice users have higher priority than data users, or voice and data users have the same priority. A modified version of our policies can handle two classes of data users: one with high priority which requires real-time delivery and another with low priority that can be queued; the BER requirements of the two data types may differ. Optimal policies have lower voice blocking rates and data packet error rates than direct admission policies.