Software-defined space-air-ground integrated network architecture with the multi-layer satellite backbone network

Abstract

Under the background of the rapid development of ground mobile communication, the advantages of high coverage, survivability, and flexibility of satellite communication provide air support to the construction of space information network. According to the requirements of the future space information communication, a software-defined Space-Air-Ground Integrated network architecture was proposed. It consisted of layered structure satellite backbone network, deep space communication network, the stratosphere communication network and the ground network. The Space-Air-Ground Integrated network was supported by the satellite backbone network. It provided data relay for the missions such as deep space exploration and controlled the deep-space spacecraft when needed. In addition, it safeguarded the anti-destructibility of stratospheric communication and assisted the stratosphere to supplement ground network communication. In this paper, algorithm requirements of the congestion control and routing of satellite backbone protocols for heterogeneous users’ services were proposed. The algorithm requirements of distinguishing different service objects for the deep space communication and stratospheric communication network protocols were described. Considering the realistic demand for the dynamic coverage of the satellite backbone network and node cost, the multi-layer satellite backbone network architecture was constructed. On this basis, the proposed Software-defined Space-Air-Ground Integrated network architecture could be built as a large, scalable and efficient communication network that could be integrated into space, air, and ground.