SC-FDMA for the Return-Link of Interactive Broadband Systems

The paper examines the potential performances of the use of SC-FDMA as transmission technique for an Interactive Broadband Satellite Communication System. In particular, we consider in the present paper, as possible target application for the proposed technology, the Return Link of a Star Network GEO Satellite Communication system. In particular, we will consider the use of SC-FDMA within an MF-TDMA access scheme as used in most interactive broadband satellite systems today. For the comparison, the DVB-RCS2 standard is considered as the reference benchmark. It has to be noted, however, that the SC-FDMA is not proposed as alternative to current RCS2 physical layer standard but rather as an optional mode which may be attractive in some of the possible application scenarios. It should also be noted that SC-FDMA can be applied, as well, for the mesh profile of a future evolution of DVB-RCS2 standard.