SatSix and recent standardisation results in ETSI broadband satellite multimedia (BSM) networks

This paper describes the recent results of the work in the ETSI BSM standardisation group and its relationship to Satsix. The ETSI BSM WG focuses on IP-based networks and the associated needs for standardisation when satellites are integrated within them. The BSM group comprises major organisations from the satellite world and therefore its outputs represent a consensus of the most important techniques and solutions relevant in this sphere of activity. SatSix has had an important influence on the standards produced through the many contributions made and resulting technical discussions. The BSM protocol architecture used throughout the standards produced is characterised by the separation between common Satellite-Independent (SI) protocol layers and alternative lower Satellite-Dependent (SD) layers.