Dynamic Rate Adaptation (DRA) and Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) efficiency comparison for a DVB-RCS system

In this paper we present an analysis of DRA performance implementing two improvements as regards current solutions. The first one is that it is assumed that bandwidth can be optimally segmented on a superframe-by-superframe basis according to channel conditions and traffic needs. The second one is that coding rate can be adapted to the channel conditions also on a superframe-by-superframe basis. These solutions are allowed by the standard. We compare the performance against a different solution based on ACM using one single high rate carrier, equal to the highest possible DRA carrier. This latter solution is not DVB-RCS compliant. Performance is analyzed primarily at physical layer but considerations regarding bandwidth efficiency are also discussed. It is shown the trade-offs arising from the different solutions and the good performance of the solution based on DRA with AC, which is compliant with the DVB-RCS standard