Multicast Routing Algorithms and Failure Analyses for Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communication Networks

In the rapidly changing environment of mobile communications, the importance of the mobile satellite (e,g,, low earth orbit satellites (LEOsats)) networks will increase due to their global visibility and connection. Multicasting is an effective communication method in terms of frequency spectrum usage for a LEO network. It is devised to provide lower network traffic (i,e,, one-to-many transmissions). This research examines the system performance of two dissimilar terrestrially-based multicasting protocols: the Distance Vector Multicast Routing Protocol (DVMRP) and the On Demand Multicast Routing Protocol (ODMRP). These two protocols are simulated in large group membership density and in the presence of satellite failures. Two different algorithms are developed and used to select critical satellites for degrading a LEO network constellation. The simulation results show that the ODMRP protocol successfully reconfigured routes in large group membership density areas and in satellite failure conditions. Results also show that the ODMRP provided reliable packet delivery. However, ODMRP showed an enormous end-to-end delay in severe satellite failure conditions. This result is attributable to the delayed route refreshing procedure of ODMRP. In contrast, the DVMRP suffered from broken routes and complexity in the large group membership density and in satellite failure conditions. It had a smaller packet delivery ratio than the ODMRP (approximately 85,5% versus 98,9% for the 80 user case). The DVMRP showed scalable and stable end-to-end delay under multiple failed satellite conditions. The large group membership density and the multiple satellite failure conditions provide a more complete assessment for these two protocols.Air Force Inst of Tech Wright-Patterson AFB OH School of Engineering and Management is the author of 'Multicast Routing Algorithms and Failure Analyses for Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communication Networks' with ISBN 9781423504627 and ISBN 1423504623.