On the satellite diversity in CDMA based mobile satellite systems

With non-GEO constellations the primary means of counteracting the shadowing and the blockage effects is through the use of the satellite diversity, i.e. multiple satellites in the constellation are simultaneously visible to user. The probability system availability is improved by increasing the probability at least one satellite is in clear Line Of Sight. In the selection diversity (SD) scheme the user is served by one satellite selected on the basis of the better Signal to Noise Ratio. In CDMA systems the spatial diversity provided by the satellite diversity can be more effectively exploited by combining signal replica coming from satellites in view with the aim at increasing the system capacity. Actually, the performance of signal combining/selection diversity schemes depend on the specific propagation scenario and it is not always effective to combine signal replica. In this paper hybrid selection/combining diversity schemes are proposed and a performance comparison in terms of system availability and capacity enhancement is carried out. Furthermore, an analytical methodology of the Downlink of DS-CDMA systems which takes into account the power constraints of a satellite environment is described and applied for the capacity assessment of the proposed satellite diversity schemes.