TFMCC Protocol Behaviour in Satellite Multicast with Variable Return Path Delays

Abstract

This paper investigates the performance of TCP-friendly multicast congestion control (TFMCC) protocol in satellite networks. TFMCC is a sender-driven congestion control protocol that extends the TFRC congestion control mechanism into multicast. To provide receiver feedback, the TFMCC protocol requires two-way communication like in DVB-RCS that allows a return path over the satellite link to the sender. The adverse effects due to large and varying DVB-RCS delay in slow-start, throughput and congestion response time are analyzed with simulations. It also provides protocol adaptations to improve congestion response using early identification of the leading receiver and dynamic group size determination