Feasibility and performance analyses of adapting Ethernet-based protocols in space-based networks

The usage of satellite communication (SATCOM) resources by the Department of Defense (DOD) to deliver global IP-based services has increased dramatically in the last decade. The rapid growth in demand for IP-based application services in the DOD and the flexibility of information services in commercial communication networks are influencing the designs of the future DOD communication satellite systems. The emergence of the high-speed metro and carrier Ethernet technology in recent years has fueled the widespread interest from commercial service providers to deploy Ethernet as the next-generation metro area network (MAN) and potentially wide area network (WAN) transport technology. Ethernet technology utilizes spanning tree control protocol for initial network topology discovery and failure/recovery detection to provide network resiliency where the network can quickly establish an alternate path in the event of link device failure. Compared with terrestrial networks, the space-based networks are characterized by longer propagation delays. To establish a deeper understanding of Ethernet´s control plane protocols and the performance implications when operating over a space-based network, we have developed a simulation capability that will analyze the protocol´s operations and performance. In this paper, we will first present the feasibility of adapting Ethernet-based technology in space networks, then describe Ethernet´s spanning tree protocol operations, and finally provide performance results of the protocol´s convergence delay measurement.