A semi-discrete time dynamic routing algorithm for connection-oriented LEO satellite networks

Given the large amount of work on wireless and satellite ATM links, it is highly probable that ATM will provide an underlying link-layer protocol over which higher-level protocols, such as IP, will be carried within the satellite constellation. Although several routing algorithms have been proposed for connection-oriented LEO satellite networks, the general approach involves discretizing the continuous satellite constellation. However, these studies suffer from the important shortcoming that the handoff process of the LEO satellite is not considered. It can be argued in general that the use of small discretized epochs is a good way of modeling a continuous process. Although this is true in many practical and simulation environments, it is not so in the case of LEO satellite systems. In this paper, the importance of the continuous handoff process is shown through simulation. A new semi-discrete time routing algorithm that takes into considerations of the detrimental handoff effects for connection-oriented LEO satellite networks is put forward.