Optimizing Multi-Source Multi-Sink Maximum Flow with Coverage Constraints in Large-Scale Optical Satellite Networks

Large-scale optical satellite networks (LS-OSNs) have emerged as critical communication infrastructures, connecting terrestrial and space networks to provide global signal coverage with high throughput and low latency. However, optimizing network throughput while ensuring comprehensive internet coverage remains a challenge. In this paper, we propose the Coverage-Enhanced Flow Optimization Heuristic (CEFOH), a novel approach to tackle the coverage-constrained multi-source multi-sink maximum flow problem in LS-OSNs. CEFOH efficiently optimizes the network throughput while minimizing the internet coverage gaps. Through extensive simulations on a 288-satellite Walker-star constellation network, we demonstrate CEFOH's efficacy in striking a balance between optimizing throughput and ensuring widespread satellite internet coverage.