A novel unicast routing algorithm for LEO satellite networks

One of research challenges in low earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks is to develop specialized and efficient routing algorithms. In this paper, a dynamic source routing algorithm (DSRA) for LEO satellite networks is presented to achieve short end-to-end delay and low computation overhead under the condition that a logical location concept is adopted to hide satellite mobility. In this algorithm, the path between source and destination with minimum propagation delay is designated by source satellite in packet header by an efficient metric < D₀, n₀; D₁, n ₁; D₂, n₂ >. Then the packet is forwarded to its destination by intermediate nodes according to the metric. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated through simulation and its computation complexity is analyzed to validate algorithm efficiency.