Satellite-UMTS service provision using IP-based technology

The convergence of mobile and IP-based technologies has now become the major driving force behind the standardisation of third generation (3G) communication systems. The next generation mobile system in Europe will be known as the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). UMTS will build on the success of the second generation mobile network GSM and its derivatives, HSCSD, GPRS and EDGE, to provide circuit and packet switched services to the mobile user. By providing IP-based technologies in UMTS, users will gain access to the services provided by the Internet, irrespective of location and time. Satellite-UMTS (S-UMTS) could play an important role in the establishment of third generation mobile communication systems, particularly in the early years of deployment. For example, satellites could offer several advantages in terms of global service coverage, fast deployment and flexible usage. A possible S-UMTS network architecture is presented in this paper. Supporting technologies, notably mobile-IP, intelligent network and a mobile terminal's capability to operate in both satellite and terrestrial environments, are assumed to be available in the future mobile network. A suite of signalling protocols, including registration, call-handling and inter-segment handover protocols, are described in order to provide a clear view of the requirements of S-UMTS protocols.