Architecture and Protocols for a Mobile Broadband System

This paper, is mainly based on work performed in the framework of the European Union Advanced Communications, Technology and Services (EU-ACTS) ACCORD project. This project, by collecting the main results carried out from four other different ACTS projects (SECOMS, EXODUS, MEDIAN and SAMBA), aims at the validation, from both a theoretical and an experimental viewpoint, of a truly global Mobile Broadband System (MBS) consisting of multiple (satellite/terrestrial) System components with different complementary characteristics. One of the key aspects is the design of a mobile Multi Mode Terminal (ACCORD MMT), which allows mobile users to access the same ATM-based Core Network through four different Access Systems, each one designed and optimized to operate in a specific environment (satellite, Digital European Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), indoor Wireless Local Area Network (W-LAN), urban digital cellular). This paper describes the ACCORD System way of working and the Mobility Management procedures.