Design and Evaluation of Reconfigurable SDN LEO Constellations

Abstract

In the context of the 5G ecosystem, the integration between the terrestrial and satellite networks is envisioned as a potential approach to further enhance the network capabilities. In light of this integration, the satellite community is revisiting its role in the next generation 5G networks. Emerging technologies such as Software-Defined Networking (SDN) which rely on programmable and reconfigurable concepts, are foreseen to play a major role in this regard. Therefore, an interesting research topic is the introduction of management architecture solutions for future satellite networks driven by means of SDN. This anticipates the separation of the data layer from the control layer of the traditional satellite networks, where the control logic is placed on programmable SDN controllers within traditional satellite devices. While a centralized control layer promises delay reductions, it introduces additional overheads due to reconfiguration and migration costs. In this paper, we propose a method to quantify the overhead imposed on the network by the aforementioned parameters while investigating the usecase scenario of an SDN-enabled satellite space segment. We make use of an optimal controller placement and satellite-tocontroller assignment which minimizes the average flow setup time with respect to varying traffic demands. Furthermore, we provide insights on the network performance with respect to the migration and reconfiguration cost for our proposed SDNenabled architecture. Finally, we compare our proposed space segment SDN-enabled architecture with alternative solutions in the state-of-the-art given the aforementioned performance metrics.

Collaborative Computing and Resource Allocation for LEO Satellite‐Assisted Internet of Things

“…Joint task offloading, scheduling, and resource allocation plays an important role in edge computing enhanced S-IoT networks. Papa et al evaluate the reconfigurable softwaredefined network with LEO constellation and propose an optimal controller placement and satellite-to-controller assignment method which can minimize the average flow setup time [15]. Liu et al propose a task-orient network architecture for edge computing enhanced space-airground-aqua integrated networks [9].…”

“…Xie et al analyze the joint caching, communication, and computing resource management for space information networks [2]. Although the joint task offloading, scheduling, and resource allocation for edge computing enhanced S-IoT is highlighted in the existing works [2,9,15], the resource management methods are not given in detail.…”

Survey on Optimization Methods for LEO-Satellite-Based Networks with Applications in Future Autonomous Transportation

“…In [15], the authors proposed a Software-Defined Networking (SDN)-enabled LEO constellation satellite network and formulated an optimization problem for SDN controller placement and assignment. They also developed mathematical models and provided SDN network-related cost metrics, such as migration and reconfiguration costs.…”

“…The space-segment optimization, as mentioned above, includes all optimization steps that take place within the satellite constellation, and such optimization steps can happen in multiple layers. An example analogy is the network optimization in [15]. However, in the broadest meaning of the term, the space-segment optimization refers to the parameters of the constellation, see, e.g., Table 5 (and thus named 'constellation optimization').…”

5G Experimentation for Public Safety: Technologies, Facilities and Use Cases

“…Softwarization, slicing, and edge computing, which have been extensively studied in the context of 5G, demonstrate promising research prospects also for satellite subnetwork [90], [91], [93], [97], as well as the application of mmWave and MIMO technologies [98], [100]. Typically, functions performed in terrestrial networks can with certain design adaptations potentially be applied also in space, e.g., by introducing dynamic and distributed SDN/NFV control functions for improved system reliability in hybrid deployments combining heterogeneous terrestrial, aerial and satellite deployments [101], [102]. Cybersecurity is another major topic of interest in such integrated 5G systems requiring a system-wide attention [103].…”