Throughput efficiency of a link management procedure for LEO satellite systems

This paper introduces a new link management protocol, LAMSLM, appropriate for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks. The procedure is based on the reliable link initialization procedure (RLIP) proposed by Baratz and Segal (1988) for use between terrestrial nodes connected by point-to-point links. The principal criterion for the design of LAMSLM is to minimize the time spent in link initialization during the period a link is active so that data transmission time can be extended. Unlike their terrestrial counterparts, LEO satellite systems are periodic. This implies that satellite links are repeatedly broken and reestablished. The proposed procedure uses a unique link closure mechanism at the conclusion of each active period that permits link reinstallation at a later point. The paper includes the algorithm design and a first order analysis of throughput efficiency