QoS support in hybrid WiFi and DVB-S networks

The aim of this paper is to investigate QoS in a hybrid satellite-WiFi network and to study mapping issues in the interconnection of these two segments. We have considered both a DVB-RCS-based satellite network and a wireless system based on IEEE 802.11e. Both TCP-based and UDP-based traffic flows are considered. In the satellite network, a dynamic bandwidth allocation scheme is used that is managed by a network control center: differentiated QoS support is guaranteed by the use of separate queues at the Gateway for distinct traffic classes. An ns-2-based simulator has been implemented to study the hybrid scenario. We have been able to show the impact of both different traffic mapping solutions in the interconnection of the network segment and different channel condition on the TCP performance.