Abstract
This thesis demonstrates why satellite access to FPLMTS will be valuable and how the UMTS Network Architecture will support satellites and their spectrally efficient channel assignment schemes. It also highlights the need for FPLMTS applications to adapt to the wide range of communication facilities available depending on their terminal’s environment and for B-ISDN to have protocols enabling this adaptation in mobile networks. Original ideas include: •Clearly defined valuable roles that satellites can play in accessing FPLMTS •Giving the FES the pivotal role of guaranteeing communications with mobile terminals in a rigidly defined geographic area •Developing the UMTS network architecture to allow network designers the freedom to implement the FES to mobile terminals communications in any way •Developing the UMTS network architecture to allow FESs to control handovers within their geographic service area in a pre-emptive way, based on predictable satellite motion and traffic distribution •A detailed study of the performance of DCA algorithms in these non-GEO satellite networks •Recognition that UMTS cannot offer 2Mbit/s service at a marketable price in all environments and that UMTS applications will have to adapt to varying grades of communication services during a call.