QoS in hybrid WiFi and DVB-RCS networks

Nowadays there is an increasing need of broadband communications anytime, anywhere for users requiring multimedia services with quality of service support. This paper deals with the integration of GEO satellite networks and terrestrial wireless networks. Our interest is for a DVB-RCS GEO system integrated with a WiFi terrestrial segment based on the IEEE 802.11b and e standards. Such a scenario is particularly relevant for the provision of multimedia interactive services in emergency areas. In this paper, we focus on a satellite DAMA strategy with related MAC buffer sizing, on the support of FTP and VoIP traffic flows, and on the traffic mapping with the WiFi segment. An ns-2-based simulation tool has been developed that permits to achieve a fine understanding on TCP-MAC interactions in terms of frame and buffer sizes. Finally, referring to the Skyplex DVB-RCS payload on board of HotBird 6 GEO satellite, simulation results have permitted to show the good utilization of resources with the considered DAMA strategy for FTP traffic flows.