Satellitbackhaul

Satellitbackhaul is a method of transporting telecommunications traffic from remote radio access networks to the core network via satellite links. It is used to provide backhaul connectivity for mobile networks, fixed wireless access, and emergency communications in areas where terrestrial fiber or microwave routes are unavailable or impractical.

In a typical satellitbackhaul deployment, a remote terminal at the cell site, often a VSAT or similar earth station, transmits uplink signals to a satellite transponder. The satellite relays the signal to a gateway hub on the ground, which connects to the mobile core network or internet. The return path carries traffic from the core to the user through the same chain. Satellites may be operated as transparent transponders or carry regenerative payloads with onboard processing. Ground segments include customer premises equipment, antennas, modems, and network management systems.

Frequency bands used include Ku, Ka, and C band, with high-throughput satellites enabling greater capacity. Geostationary satellites introduce noticeable latency, typically around 250 milliseconds for a round trip, while low-earth-orbit or medium-earth-orbit constellations can reduce latency but require more complex handovers and tracking. Technologies such as DVB-S2 or DVB-S2X, DVB-RCS for return links, and SCPC/MCPC modulation schemes are commonly employed. Link budgeting, rain fade and other weather effects, and spectrum licensing are important considerations.

Applications include rural and remote mobile backhaul, offshore platforms, airports, disaster response, and temporary events. Advantages are rapid deployment and broader coverage without fiber, while disadvantages include higher latency, cost, weather sensitivity, and capacity limitations compared with terrestrial networks. Ongoing trends involve high-throughput and regenerative payloads, integration with software-defined networking, and emerging LEO-based backhaul solutions.