1. Overview of Broadband Satellite Networks.- 1.1. Introduction.- 1.2. Broadband Satellite Internet.- 1.3. Global Network Infrastructure.- 1.4. Satellite Networks Evolution.- 1.5. Backbone Technologies.- 1.6. Access Technologies.- 1.7. Structure of the Book.- I: Principles of Satellite Networks.- 2. Basics of Networks.- 3. Satellite System Engineering Methodology.- 4. Network Systems and Examples.- 5. Quality of Service in Layered Architecture.- II: Satellite Network Technical Challenges.- 6. Physical and Link Layers.- 7. Satellite TCP/IP: Technical Challenges.- 8. Satellite ATM: Technical Challenges.- 9. Standards and Regulations.- III: Satellite IP Networks Performance.- 10. Quality of Service in IP Networks.- 11. Performance of DiffServ Based Satellite IP.- 12. Performance of MPLS.- 13. Interactive Multimedia over Satellite.- IV: Satellite ATM Networks Performance.- 14. Quality of Service in ATM Networks.- 15. Performance Analysis of TCP over Satellite ATM.- 16. Bandwidth Allocation - An Example.- Reference.- Acronyms.- About the Authors.

Broadband Satellite Communications for Internet Access is a systems engineering methodology for satellite communication networks. It discusses the implementation of Internet applications that involve network design issues usually addressed in standard organizations. Various protocols for IP- and ATM-based networks are examined and a comparative performance evaluation of different alternatives is described. This methodology can be applied to similar evaluations over any other transport medium.