Satellite Model for Network Simulator 3

Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB)} organisation has published a bluebook for the 2nd generation of satellite return link specification, DVB-RCS2. Also, the evolution of DVB-S2, currently called DVB-Sx, is in standardization process. Simulations have increased importance in standardization support as well as in internal product development due to the ability to provide faster feedback on technological solutions without the need for early-stage testbed and real systems development. However, there is a need for modular open-source satellite system simulator which would adopt the latest DVB satellite standards. Current simulators owned by satellite vendors, operators and research organizations may be proprietary, generally tailored for special purposes and/or may be based on commercial licenses. In this article we present the building blocks and architecture of satellite model developed on top of a widely used open-source system/packet level simulator Network Simulator 3 (NS-3). The satellite extensions are based on DVB-S2 and DVB-RCS2 specifications for forward and return links, respectively. Simulator module is developed to be highly modular and flexible to be able to match the future R&D needs of satellite system vendors, operators, research organizations, as well as scientific community.