Network Protocols for Onboard Satellite Packet Routing

The objective of this proposal is to develop packet switching protocols capable of providing efficient network access to satellite resources with the intention of passing IP traffic across onboard satellite routers and switches. Stratogis propose to use existing software capabilities to quantitatively assess the impact of design decisions on analytic performance parameters and perform system engineering trades to assess the impact on qualitative performance parameters. After defining key design trades, typical performance parameter requirements, sample network requirements scenarios and a baseline reference architecture, Stratogis will parametrically analyze performance of key design trade parameters such as Layer 2 vs. Layer 3 onboard switching/routing and INTSERV vs. DIFFSERV QoS protocols using existing OPNET-based simulation tools. The performance for each option will be compared with target requirements. In addition, Stratogis will evaluate TCP accelerator and bandwidth-on-demand DAMA protocols. Performance metrics will include quantitative parameters such as latency, packet loss, and throughput as well as qualitative metrics such as manageability, ease of integration and scalability. The results will be documented in a forward looking architecture document describing operational and technical requirements for both space and ground components of network architecture.