Network signalling system design considerations in a multi-service mobile satellite communications system

Characteristics of the MSS (multiservice mobile satellite communications system) network signalling system are presented, and possible implementations of its subsystems are proposed in terms of signalling and call setup procedures, and multiple access techniques. Because of the severe L-band propagation environment, it is recommended that signalling messages on the L-/Ku-band signalling channel be kept to a minimum, and that the majority of signalling exchanges be performed in-band on the assigned voice channel and relayed back to the NCC via the more robust Ku-band signalling subsystem. Call setup procedures and multiple access techniques are defined taking into consideration the differences in characteristics of the services to be supported. It is shown that because of these differences, a number of signalling sub-networks are needed to efficiently address the service requirements. Further work is needed to determine optimum packet sizes for the signalling messages. This gives more insight into the traffic carrying capacity of the signalling subsystems and provides estimates for the total number of signalling channels required in a network