An Overview Of Low Earth Orbit Satellite Routing Algorithms

The use of satellite technology for communication and data transmission has greatly increased in recent years, and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites have become an important part of this infrastructure. LEO satellites orbit the earth at an altitude of around 500 to 2,000 kilometers, which allows them to provide coverage to a larger area compared to higher altitude satellites. However, routing data through LEO satellites presents unique challenges due to their low altitude and the need to continuously adjust their communication links as they move. To address these challenges, various routing algorithms have been developed to optimize the transmission of data through LEO satellite networks. In this review, we will examine the different types of LEO satellite routing algorithms and their key features, as well as the challenges and opportunities they present. We will also discuss the performance and trade-offs of these algorithms and their potential applications in various scenarios.

I. Introduction

With the rapid development of the Internet, the number of users and the volume of business have shown explosive growth. However, due to the limitations of ground networks, satellite networks are needed to make up for their short-comings and achieve global and convenient communication [1]. In addition, the traditional satellite network architecture is vertically integrated and relatively closed, resulting in high propagation loss, high time delay, and frequent topology changes. Many technical problems have emerged in the practical application of satellite networks, such as difficulties in updating and upgrading equipment, inability to provide finer-grained services services, poor interoperability between devices, and difficulty in integrating with terrestrial networks. This has brought great challenges to the traditional information transmission theory and technology.