Abstract
Broadband satellite will play an important role to provide universal broadband access for the users. In order to lower the cost, the next-generation satellite systems should support IPv6 and seamlessly integrate with terrestrial networks, including wireless local loops. In this paper, a novel network architecture has been proposed as a potential solution to the above problem. Based on the proposed overall network and functional architecture, we have emphasised and presented different aspects of the advanced IPv6-enable networking techniques, such as QoS, multicast, security and mobility. The transport protocols can be used in this network architecture are also studied. © 2007 by SATSIX.