Optimizing Data Transmission Capacity on Satellite Links with Non- Zero Bit Error Rates

The intent of this note is to report on work in progress on the problem of designing optimal satellite data communication channels for today’s data networks. Satellites have been used for data communications for many years. However, both changes in speeds and protocols in use now make it much harder to provide effective data communications on satellite channels. We will begin by reviewing the role satellites are likely to play in data communications. We then look at the properties of current data communication protocols and their interaction with typical satellite channel properties. Finally we summarize experimental data which provide some guidance towards the design of future satellite systems, and suggest approaches to solve the problem.