Evaluating Tropical Geometric Routing in Emulated Space Networks

In preparation for an increased machine and human presence in space, the need for networking in space has exploded. One proposed solution is Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN), which is a suite of protocols designed for networks that experience a high degree of disruption and network variability. Algorithms and protocols enabling scaling will be key to such a future Solar System Internet (SSI). An important aspect of space networks is mobility, especially of backbone assets in charge of long haul links e.g. from Mars to Earth. Moreover, the large distances and orbital mechanics involved mean that channel characteristics change drastically over time. Building on previous approaches to routing, we propose a mathematical algorithm computing optimal routes through a space network using tropical geometry accounting for how these networks change over time.While the efficacy of the method has been demonstrated in simulations, the focus of this paper includes performance evaluation in hardware as well as large efficiency improvements to the algorithm that also greatly simplify the pipeline. Comparisons to Contact Graph Routing and Contact Multigraph Routing are also analyzed. Future directions for implementation and integration into current DTN implementations are offered.