Bundle Protocol for Space Communication Networks in Presence of Intermittent Link Connectivity

Space communications are characterized by link intermittent connectivity and long link propagation delay. The use of bundle protocol (BP) in space communications has been in debate. An analytical understanding of its performance for reliable data delivery in the presence of link intermittent connectivity, especially with a lengthy link disruption, is quickly needed. In this paper, analytical models are built to estimate the number of transmission rounds (or efforts) caused by the link disruption and the resulting delay in bundle delivery of BP for applications in space communication networks. The models are validated by conducting bundle delivery experiments using a testbed.