Cross-layer architecture for TCP splitting in the return channel over satellite networks

Transport protocols used in satellite networks face challenges such as variable link capacity, large propagation delay effects and packet corruption. In this paper a new cross-layer architecture for TCP splitting is proposed in the return link of geostationary satellite networks to improve the TCP performance. This new cross-layer architecture defines the interactions between layers to coordinate the TCP splitters taking into account the real-time cross-layer information. This feedback information is sent from the Return Channel Satellite Terminal to the feeder Performance Enhancement Proxy using the Simple Network Management Protocol. A complete analysis of our proposed cross-layer architecture has been carried out using NS-2 simulator to compare it with the standard TCP splitting. The simulation results show that our proposal notably reduces the transfer times for short lived connections. Moreover, it is observed that sudden variations of capacity in the return satellite channel are perfectly tracked by this new cross-layer architecture and not by the standard TCP splitting.