Software Defined Space-Terrestrial Integrated Networks: Architecture, Challenges, and Solutions

Abstract

A space and terrestrial integrated network (STIN) converges satellite communication networks, mobile wireless networking, and the Internet, has greatly extended the scope of cyberspace. The STIN is composed of diverse network elements and supports various access technologies, and the coordinations in the hybrid networks can better support complex and changeable communication tasks. Furthermore, the STIN takes advantage of the merits of low delay and large bandwidth in terrestrial networks, and achieves global coverage without the limitation of geographic conditions, which can support positioning and navigation, emergency relief, space exploration, and so on. However, the research on STIN is still confronted with some fundamental challenges including time-varying network topology, high satellite mobility, large end-to-end delay, scalability, and so on. In this article, we present a composite architecture that integrates space and terrestrial network components for providing anytime anywhere communications by utilizing the software defined networking and mobile edge computing paradigms, which not only facilitates the network management and increases network flexibility, but also provides improved quality of service for global multimedia services. Additionally, we identify a number of challenging issues associated with the proposed STIN architecture, including mobility management, resource management, routing, traffic steering, security, and so on, a