VSAT data networks

The use of satellite channels for very small-aperture terminal (VSAT) data networks such as spread spectrum and ALOHA is reviewed. Certain basic aspects of the architecture of VSAT data networks are discussed. Although spread spectrum and ALOHA have different origins and are sometimes represented as competing technologies, they can in fact be characterized as different ways of viewing the same low-dimensional signals in a high-dimensional signal space. After a brief introduction to the architecture of VSAT networks, it is shown how a simple linear transformation of conventional ALOHA packets called spread ALOHA leads to signals identical in all respects to the most common form of spread-spectrum signals. Two practical consequences of this theoretical result are discussed. First, for the case of small earth stations it is not possible to find an Access technique with a higher throughput than spread ALOHA. Second, the use of different spreading sequences for different users in a packet network using spread spectrum is not necessary for user separation.>