Efficient IP‐multicast via Inmarsat BGAN, a 3GPP satellite network

Abstract

SUMMARYThis paper outlines a number of challenges associated with supporting IP-multicast services efficiently across the Inmarsat Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) 3GPP-based satellite network operating over the Imarsat-4 satellite constellation. The paper presents a network architecture that extends the 3GPP reference architecture to allow IP-multicast to be delivered when the Core Network is in a 3GPP Release-4 (non-MBMS compliant) configuration.This paper further extends the service and system concepts defined in 3GPP MBMS to provide improved flexibility and accountability, and improved scalability and efficiency when operating with the Inmarsat-4 BGAN TDM/TDMA air interface.This paper describes a number of radio resource management techniques that were deployed in a test system and the validation testing that was undertaken to support multimedia distribution and VoIP-based netted communications applications. The tuning of application and system behaviour to achieve acceptable performance is described in outline.

Satellite component of NGN: Integrated and hybrid networks

“…Recently, INMARSAT first started a Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) service based on 3GPP waveforms [21]. BGAN is providing a new service on commercial Airbus and Boeing flights by allowing passengers to use their mobile phones on board through a base station and related GEO satellite link.…”