Flow Control at Satellite Gateways

Abstract

Abstract-- Broadcast satellite networks are going play an important role in the global information infrastructure. Several systems including DirecWayfrom Hughes Network System use satellites to provide direct-to-user high speed Internet services. TCP works well in the terrestrial fiber networks but does not work well in satellite hybrid (satellite-terrestrial) networks. <p>In this paper we analyze the problems that cause this dramatically degradedperformance. Based on the observation that it difficult for an end-to-end solution to solve these problems in this kind of hybrid networks, we propose a connection splitting based solution. A rate-based protocol is designed for the satellite connections and a flow control scheme at the satellite gateways (SGW) used to couple the two split connections together.<p>Our simulation results shows that our scheme can maintain high utilization of the satellite link and improve fairness among the competing connections.