A routing algorithm to provide end-to-end delay guarantee in low Earth orbit satellite networks

In this paper, the weighted fair queuing (WFQ) algorithm is introduced into a LEO satellite system with the aim of providing an end-to-end delay guarantee. A routing algorithm, i.e. satellite routing for end-to-end delay (SRED); which is able to provide a guaranteed end-to-end delay bound, is put forward. SRED includes a route computation algorithm in the presence of WFQ and an efficient partial rerouting algorithm that handles the dynamic nature of LEO satellites. Through simulations on an Iridium-like constellation, the proposed framework is shown to achieve a guaranteed end-to-end delay bound for admitted connections. The performance of SRED is dependent on the traffic characteristics of connections. Better performance is achieved when the connections have smaller packet size and burst size. SRED is shown to outperform the best effort scheme in system throughput whilst providing a delay bound service at the same time under certain traffic characteristics.