A link layer protocol for efficient transmission of TCP/IP via satellite

The TCP/IP protocol suite, which currently dominates both commercial and military networks, suffers from several losses in efficiency when a TCP/IP network is extended over a satellite link. These losses arise from the fact that TCP/IP was designed for operation in a low delay-bandwidth product environment with negligible error rates while a geostationary satellite link presents both a high delay-bandwidth product and significant error rates. These losses in efficiency can result in a dramatic reduction in utilization of precious satellite resources. This paper identifies the reasons for the loss in efficiency when TCP/IP networks are extended over a geostationary satellite and describes a link layer protocol that was designed to bridge the gap between the physical characteristics of the satellite link and the requirements of the TCP/IP suite. In addition, a networking testbed will be described that will play host to a prototype of the link layer protocol for parameter tuning and performance testing in a simulated satellite environment.