Design study for a CDMA-based LEO satellite network: downlink system level parameters

The performance analysis of a new concept of a code-division multiple-access (CDMA) based low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network for mobile satellite communications is presented and discussed. The starting point was to analyze the feasibility of implementing multisatellite and multipath diversity reception in a CDMA network for LEO satellites. The results are used to specify the design parameters for a system experimental test bed. Due to the extremely high Doppler, which is characteristic of LEO satellites, code acquisition is significantly simplified by using a continuous wave (CW) pilot carrier for Doppler estimation and compensation. The basic elements for the analysis presented are: the channel model, the pilot carrier frequency estimation for Doppler compensation, and multipath and multisatellite diversity combining.