Feedback Implosion Suppression Algorithm for Reliable Multicast Data Transmission over Geostationary Satellite Networks

In this paper, we propose a feedback implosion suppression (FIS) algorithm that reduces the volume of feedback traffic from receivers in a multicast group over a geostationary satellite network. The system considered in this paper includes a reliable multicast transport protocol that operates on top of a channel-aware scheduler (CAS) with receivers capable of measuring and feeding back to the scheduler their channel state information (CSI). The collected CSI becomes a valuable input to avoid unfavorable channel conditions to reduce the forward link resources that would be wasted to retransmit lost segments. Using a fixed number of available uplink slots, the Radio Network Controller (RNC) decides which receivers to update their feedback messages in the next collection period based on their CSI in the current cycle. The integration of FIS and CAS modules achieves a degree of full reliability in multicast transmission over a satellite network without relying on any collaboration between receivers, or on any infrastructure other than the satellite network.