TRAFFIC MODELING OF INTEGRATED TERRESTRIAL-SATELLITE SYSTEMS FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS

In future mobile networks, the integration of terrestrial and satellit e systems is expected to play a key role in the provision of an optimu m mobility degree to the user through the deployment of seamless cover ages. In this frame, the design of the space resources able to carry t raffic overflow from the terrestrial cellular system represents an imp ortant aspect for the effectiveness of the integration approach. Howev er, this point still remains an open problem. The present paper, hence , proposes a traffic model of the mobile integrated system, which allo ws for an estimation of the number of satellite circuits able to suppo rt the terrestrial cellular component. Traffic overflow from terrestri al to satellite cells is also modeled, assuming an unprioritized handl ing of handover requests. The performed modeling has been based on a s imple and non time-consuming analytical approach, which can be effecti vely oriented to the design of the integrated system. The major result s that have been achieved are presented and commented in the paper.