Satellite grouping and routing protocol for LEO/MEO satellite IP networks

Abstract

The rapid growth of Internet-based applications pushes broadband satellite networks to carry on IP traffic. In previously proposed connectionless routing schemes in satellite networks, the metrics used to calculate the paths do not reflect the total delay a packet may experience. In this paper, a new Satellite Grouping and Routing Protocol (SGRP) is developed. It divides Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites into groups according to the the footprint area of the Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites in each snapshot period. Based on the delay reports sent by LEO satellites, MEO satellite managers compute the minimum-delay paths for their LEO members. The snapshot and group decision method is detailed, the performance of SGRP is evaluated through simulations and analysis.