VSAT network

VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) is a satellite communications system

that serves home and business users.
A VSAT end user needs a box that interfaces between the user's computer
and an outside antenna with a transceiver.
The tranceiver receives or sends a signal to a satellite transponder in the
sky.
The satellite sends and receives signals from an earth station computer
that acts as a hub for the system.
Each end user is interconnected with the hub station via the satellite in a
star topology.
For one end user to communicate with another, each transmission has to
first go to the hub station which retransmits it via the satellite to the other
end user's VSAT.
VSAT handles data, voice, and video signals.
http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/definition/VSAT
VSAT network architecture
VSAT network topology types

The figure-1 depicts topologies used in VSAT network architecture. As

shown there are only two topologies viz. Star and Mesh.
In Star type of VSAT network, all the communications occur through Hub
station using multi hop communication.
In mesh type of VSAT network, all the communications occur directly
between VSATs without the need of any central Hub station.
The star based VSAT network architecture is further classified into Shared
Hub and distributed Hub types.
In shared Hub network type, One large hub station is used and all the
VSATs are divided into sub-networks. Each subnetwork is assigned to
particular CUG (Closed User Group). Different CUG is created for all the
clients separately. Each CUG will have their own inbound and outbound rf
carriers. VSATs in all the CUGs use the same one Hub station.
In distributed Hub network type, each network will have its own hub station
known as "min-Hub". This mini hub is located near the client's premises.

In this network, all the clients will have its own traffic hub dedicated to its
own CUG.
http://www.rfwireless-world.com/Terminology/VSAT-networkarchitecture.html
Aloha (Aloha method)
Aloha, also called the Aloha method, refers to a simple communications
scheme in which each source (transmitter) in a network sends data
whenever there is a frame to send.
If the frame successfully reaches the destination (receiver), the next frame
is sent.
If the frame fails to be received at the destination, it is sent again.
This protocol was originally developed at the University of Hawaii for use
with satellite communication systems in the Pacific.
In a wireless broadcast system or a half-duplex two-way link, Aloha works
perfectly. But as networks become more complex, for example in an
Ethernet system involving multiple sources and destinations that share a
common data path,trouble occurs because data frames collide (conflict).
The heavier the communications volume, the worse the collision problems
become. The result is degradation of system efficiency, because when two
frames collide, the data contained in both frames is lost.
To minimize the number of collisions, thereby optimizing network efficiency
and increasing the number of subscribers that can use a given network, a
scheme called slotted Aloha was developed. This system employs signals
called beacons that are sentat precise intervals and tell each source when
the channel is clear to send aframe. Further improvement can be realized
by a more sophisticated protocol called Carrier Sense Multiple Access
withCollision Detection (CSMA/CD).
http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/Aloha