Channel access protocols for Ku-band VSAT networks: a comparative evaluation

The performance of candidate protocols for first-generation Ku-band very small aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite networks is compared. The goal is to assist the process of selecting a protocol. The performance comparison is carried out over a range of possible traffic, channel and satellite parameters, leading to an understanding of the appropriate regime for each of the protocols under consideration. The protocols considered are unslotted Aloha, slotted Aloha, selective-reject (SRE) Aloha, and demand-assigned time-division multiple-access (TDMA) or DAMA.>