Optimum traffic distribution algorithm for multiple-satellite systems under power constraints

In satellite communications systems, in addition to frequency resources, total satellite transmitting power, (i.e., satellite power) is a crucial radio resource, due to the limited capacity of onboard electric generators. To increase system capacity, satellite power constraints have to be taken into account, as well as the frequency constraints. As one approach to this issue, we propose a traffic distribution algorithm using linear programming, which maximizes the accommodated traffic in a multiple-satellite system under satellite power constraints. The algorithms are applicable to all types of satellite systems with multiple satellites (geosynchronous Earth orbit, medium Earth orbit, low Earth orbit, or a combination of any) to increase system capacity with respect to the total amount of traffic accommodated by the systems. Finally, this paper evaluates the performance of the proposed algorithm by distributing traffic demand on the earth's surface to cells irradiated by spot-beams of a satellite and allocating frequency resources to the cells. By using the algorithm that permits power constraints, the ratio of accommodated traffic in a system was improved 12% compared with the case when no power constraints were used.