Technology and networking issues in 3rd generation satellite personal communication networks

The paper expands on some relevant technology and networking issues for the 3rd generation personal communication networks exploiting satellite features. Since satellite communications are essential to provide personal communication services (PCS) on a global scenario, terrestrial and satellite network integration is a mandatory requirement; this means that translation to the satellite world of the basic breakthroughs of terrestrial cellular network is required. The paper provides a view of the satellite systems already in operation or currently being developed and outlines the guidelines followed by future satellite systems. The satellite potential market is considered as well. Moreover, the paper addresses some of the most significant topics related to both code division multiple access (CDMA) and time division multiple access (TDMA) techniques that are the two candidates for 3rd generation PCS. In particular, packet reservation multiple access, dynamic channel allocation seamless handover, soft handover and some of the main advances in CDMA techniques are dealt with in some detail outlining their potential utilization in the satellite systems