A novel multiple access protocol for store-and-forward systems using 'Little LEO' satellites

The store-and-forward systems using little LEO satellites can provide non-real-time communication services such as data collection, paging, e-mail etc. It is a solid alternative to various applications because of its low cost and simple deployment In this paper, we consider the collision problem in the date link control layer of the store-and-forward system. The well-known access protocols such as ALOHA and slotted ALOHA have found their application in this problem However these conventional protocols are not optimized to handle long propagation delay characterizing the satellite network. Hence, to improve time and throughput efficiency of the conventional protocols, a novel protocol is proposed In this paper. In this protocol, the communications are divided Into two periods, the rush and transmission periods Conceptually, contentions are resolved during the rush periods while uninterrupted transmissions are ensured In the transmission period. Through simulation, we found that this protocol provides strong throughput performance with moderate cost increase. We believe it will be best used In remote scientific data collection such as oceanic salinity.