Performance evaluation of NEMO in satellite networks

Abstract

Network mobility (NEMO) protocols can be used to manage aggregate mobility of multiple IP-enabled devices on-board a Low Earth Orbit satellite (a mobile network on-board). NEMO protocols enjoy several performance advantages, such as reduced signaling, increased manageability and conservation of satellite link bandwidth as compared to host mobility protocols for individual devices. In addition, NEMO protocols can provide continuous connectivity at upper layers using nested NEMO (a mobile network attached to another) during unavailability of ground stations where as connection would terminate if host mobility protocols were used. Therefore, NEMO protocols needs to be evaluated in space. We propose an architecture for NEMO in space, where the devices are connected together using an on-board local area network . The architecture includes nesting where a mobile network ontwork. The architecture includes nesting where a mobile network on-board a satellite can attach to another. We evaluated NEMO protocols for the architecture using a space friendly data transfer protocol called Saratoga because widely used protocols like TCP is not space friendly. Simulation based performance evaluation shows continuity of connections at upper layers and performance superiority of Saratoga to TCP for NEMO in space.