A DSP-based DS/CDMA modem for multimedia applications over geo-stationary satellite networks

Multimedia services over satellite networks require a large amount of bandwidth for the delivery of variable-bit-rate video and audio signal with adequate quality of service. Hence, the bandwidth allocation has to be efficiently managed. In such sence, CDMA is a flexible multiple access technique since it allows a dynamic configuration of the resources allotted to the users of the system. This paper aims at describing a DSP-based DS/CDMA satellite multimedia system for multimedia applications, working in geo-stationary (GEO) satellite networks. The DSP implementation of the satellite modem is described in detail, both for what concerns the hardware section and the signal processing algorithmic section. The developed prototype, whose test is expected during year 2001, should be considered as a basic platform for developing flexible software radio-based architectures for satellite communications.