Logical topology-based routing in LEO constellations

Abstract

Satellite communication is distinguished by global coverage and the ability to support a wide range of applications. LEO (low Earth orbit) satellite systems employing inter-satellite links offer rich connectivity in space and provide direct broadband access and personal communication services. One of the technical challenges for LEO systems is the design of efficient routing strategies tailored to their highly dynamic nature. In this paper, we present a new routing method which solves the routing problem efficiently by overlaying a static logical topology over the physical constellation. The algorithm generates near-optimal shortest paths. The performance of our proposed scheme is evaluated through theoretical analysis and simulations.