A Prediction Based SCTP Handover Scheme for IP/LEO Satellite Network

In this paper, an enhanced mobile IP (MIP) handover scheme with predictive mechanism based on Global Position System (GPS) for Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellite network is proposed. The proposed scheme utilizes the ephemeris information of LEO satellite network together with the GPS module collocated on the mobile host (MH) to predict the MH's handover time. IP diversity scheme such as SCTP is also used during the handover process in order to enhance the handover performances in IP/LEO satellite network. The detailed prediction algorithm and handover procedures are described. And simulation results indicate that the proposed method has better performances in handover latency and packet loss rate than other Mobile IPv6 enhancements in IP/LEO satellite network.