A new generation of Very Small Aperture Terminal and satellite networks topology exploiting diversity of Multiple Antenna Sites

This paper presents a novel technique to enhance the link performance in satellite network. The technique exploits the location diversity of terminals in the ground segment (stations) and the Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) mathematical frames (also known as `Network MIMO´). In this technique these diverse terminals are linked to a control unit (e.g. the hub) to coordinate the joint transmission detection in the up and down links respectively. The other pillar to this technique is the use of special antenna-site-distribution structures (in the form of Uniform Linear Arrays- ULA) to provide the Uncorrelated High Rank (UHR) channel in the presence of the strong Line Of Sight (LOS) as is usual in satellite links. The relation between the range, wavelength and the antenna separation products are examined for different ranges corresponding to different orbits from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO)- this with respect to the proposed technique. The presented results are analysed. An outline of the applications of the technique and its merits is concluded with.