Simulation of the performance of a Ka-band VSAT videoconferencing system with uplink power control and data rate reduction to mitigate atmospheric propagation effects

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of propagation effects at 20/30 GHz on the performances of the radio interface of a VSAT videoconferencing system and to demonstrate the interest to implement Fade Mitigation Techniques in order to improve the link availability. Specifications and system requirements of the VSAT network are briefly described. System performances of the physical layer are simulated using time-series data measured with the ESA's OLYMPUS satellite. The simulations enable to implement and optimize Up-Link Power Control and Data Rate Reduction, and to assess the related link performance improvement. Moreover, the introduction of propagation data sets allows to have a better idea of some system parameters which directly impact on the quality of service such as the switching rate or the link availability that such a system should have when deployed in operational conditions. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.