Efficient Resource Utilization through Carrier Grouping for Half-duplex communication in GSM-based MEO Mobile Satellite networks

Abstract

In the near future, existing terrestrial radio networks are envisioned to integrate with satellite systems to provide global coverage. In order to enable communication for both non-hand-held and hand-held User Terminals (UTs), the radio link design must allow the UT to operate in full- and half-duplex mode respectively, where the latter is desirable when radiation power restrictions are imposed. In addition, sophisticated resource management and diversity provisioning will enhance system capacity and reliability. However, propagation delay caused by the satellite link may lead to inefficient resource allocation and problematic diversity provisioning. In this paper, we address and study the resource allocation problem pertaining to a Medium-Earth-Orbit (MEO) satellite system with half-duplex communication capabilities. Such a system is characterized by large propagation delays, large intra-beam delay variations and inherently poor resource utilization. We propose a channel classification scheme, where the available carriers are partitioned into classes and each class is associated with a certain range of propagation delays to the satellite. The suggested infrastructure results in higher channel utilization, reduced call blocking rate and efficient diversity provisioning and can be implemented with low signaling load.