DAMA (Demand Assigned Multiple Access) is a communication channel access technology that offers easy and proactive sharing of channel(s) among various users and networks. Technically, there could be thousands of satellite stationsin a given satellite network coverage area. DAMA, channels can be shared with or assigned to different users, as demanded by them.This is how DAMA gets its name — Demand AssignedMultiple(user) Access. (Channels are a pairof transmitter and receiver carrier frequencies.)
Working with DAMA is simple and straightforward. With the help of a set of tools and resources, sharing channels among different users is highly feasible.A number of users get access to channels via a set of resources and tools. In this process, the capacity of the channel does not get reduced, if a dataset assigned to a channel is not used. There are many benefits of using Demand Assigned Multiple Access, some of themare –
• Improved efficiency of space segment resources
• Competent exploitation of terminals or terminal segments
• Multiple network participation
• Real-time allocation of resources
• Aptness of communicating to secured UHF channels, including that of US Military (5 and 25 kHz)
• Suitable for radio or baseband frequencies and timeslots
• Highly useful with sparsely used networks
• Effectual satellite communication in VSAT satellite systems
• Support users with low to moderate usage profile
• Easy modeling and setting up
• Functional in bent pipe environment
• Perfectly matches user demands to available satellite capacity
• Access to a dedicated single channel, along with two other modes operation on a single SATCOM resource
Operating modes of DAMA–
DAMA offers effectiveutilization of various new radio waveforms that formthe SATCOM channels.It is not at all essential for all channels to work on those newly-adopted waveforms. To understand how DAMA system works, we, at first, need to understand what DAMA standards are. DAMA standards operate on three modes, which are explained below –
Dedicated Single Channel – Also referred to as Dedicated-Channel Single Access (DCSA) mode, this mode provides a user with net exclusive rights to communicate on the channel,assigned dedicated to him.
Demand Single Chanel – Technically,Demand-Assigned Single Channel, DASA. This modeoffersoperation on single channel, which is often requested by the users. The broadcast is accessible only on either 5 kHz or 25 kHz via the control system of DAMA waveforms.
TDMA/DAMA – Both employ new waveforms, as detailed in the standards. And, this mode shares channels on 5 kHz and/or 25 kHzbandwidth.
DAMA Modems and systems offereasy prioritization technique for command type nets, and its minimum percentage operation is just the thing for support/logistic nets.
DAMA technology enables deployment and redeployment of a communication channel in a network to clients that don’t use it continuously. The technology works by assigning channels on the basis of requests received from client terminals to a network control system, and also returning an unused channel to the central pool for redeployment to other users of the network.