Bi-directional multimedia satellite communication system using ultrasmall user terminals

NTT started development of a multimedia satellite communication system to provide a medium for Internet access in 1995. This system, which entered commercial service in 1998, uses a hybrid network consisting of a high-speed satellite forward link and terrestrial access links. To meet the increasing demand for low-cost and ubiquitous access links, a second-generation system equipped with satellite transmitting functions is now being developed. The user terminal design calls for a DTH-sized receiver antenna and a transmission power of less than 0.1 W, which will make it suitable for use in homes and small offices. The access link signals from the user terminals are superimposed onto the high-speed TDM forward link signal for efficient use of the frequency band. The transmission power from the user terminal is significantly low compared to that of the forward link signal, a novel interference cancellation technique is introduced. A channel assignment scheme called “channel reservation with rapid release” is introduced for both efficient use of the channels and higher transmission throughput. The forward link signal is completely compatible with the first-generation system, and the data rate is about 30 Mb/s.The paper describes the system's configuration, the central earth station's configuration, and the key technologies of the radio system and access control system.