RA and DA Satellite Access schemes: A Survey and Some Research Results and Challenges

This paper surveys the most popular random access (RA), demand assignment (DA), and hybrids schemes for satellite broadband access networks. In addition, we present some recent research results we obtained when a reliable transmission control protocol, i.e. TCP, is coupled with the most promising RA methods foreseen in the second generation of DVB-RCS standard. In fact, the necessity to support a wider range of IP-based traffic, as in the case either of Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems or Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications, fosters the introduction of random access schemes for information transport able to cope with large network sizes and low duty cycle bursty traffic with frequent inactivity periods on the return link. As an indication of future research aspects we also offer, in the conclusions section, a list of items to be investigated so that satellite can become integral part of the Future Internet.