QTER: QoS-Aware 3-D Efficient and Reliable Routing for LEO Satellite Networks

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks offer a promising approach for achieving global coverage and high-speed Internet access. However, the existing communication frameworks within these networks may result in low robustness and reliability. This article introduces QTER, a novel and lightweight routing framework specifically designed for LEO networks, aimed at addressing these challenges. Our contributions are threefold. First, QTER establishes a cost-effective and reliable routing framework that accommodates a variety of applications with distinct Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. By enabling multipath routing, the framework minimizes costs while ensuring end-to-end reliability, thus enhancing adaptability to diverse service demands. Second, we leverage the unique structural characteristics of LEO satellite networks by modeling the satellite constellation as a 3-D network, wherein higher shell satellites serve as management satellite nodes (MSNs) to coordinate routing strategies among lower-shell satellites. This architecture significantly improves system efficiency and adaptability. Third, we propose a failure recovery mechanism that allows MSNs to relay packets when lower-orbit satellites are rendered unavailable due to environmental factors, thereby enhancing system robustness. Extensive simulations demonstrate that QTER exhibits resilience to node failures and dynamic network conditions, achieving reductions in average cost and delay by 59.4% and 38.9%, respectively, compared to baselines.