Demand-assigned Multiple Access (DAMA)

Demand-assigned multiple access (DAMA) in satellite communications, is one of the two main techniques for allocating satellite channels to satellite communications users. In fixed-assigned multiple access (FAMA), or Pre-assigned Multiple Access (PAMA), each satellite communications user is allocated a channel permanently, whether they use it or not. This is inefficient and most multiple-access systems use demand-assigned multiple access (DAMA) in which the available channels on the satellite are allocated on an as-required basis to users. When the user is finished with the demand-assigned multiple access (DAMA) channel it is relinquished and made available for another user.