This paper assesses the delay and buffer performances of the three Space Division Multiple Access (SDMA) protocols in a satellite switched spotbeam communication network.The relationship between these performances and protocol parameters, terrestrial network topology and traffic characteristics are discussed. Comparisons are made between the three SDMA protocols and other global beam multiple access protocols. The fully flexible demand assignment (DA) Protocol is found to have the best delay and buffer performances amongst the SDMA protocols. The delay performance of the DA Protocol approaches those of the global beam protocols, especially in the region of high throughput. This study indicates that the use of spotbeam antennas and dynamic on-board switching for satellite data communication is a viable method of alleviating the problems of overcrowding of the orbital space and frequency spectrum.
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