A Routing Architecture for the Airborne Network

In this paper we present a candidate routing architecture for the future IP-based Airborne Network (AN). This routing architecture implements each tactical mobile network and each widebody platform as separate autonomous system (AS) domains internetworked via the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). The advantages and disadvantages of this architecture are presented. The future AN will consist of multiple IP-enabled airborne platforms with wireless connections to each other and to multiple surface network domains. For example, Air Force platforms may connect to each other and may connect directly to Air Force domain ground sites. These Air Force platforms may wish to use Navy platforms as relays to access Navy ground sites and connect via SIPRNET to Air Force ground sites. Similarly, the best path may be to connect via an Army ground site to gain access to the Air Force Intranet via SIPRNET. Given the dynamically changing topology and the bandwidth-limited channel conditions corresponding to airborne networking versus terrestrial networking, it will be critical to develop effective link access protocols, routing protocols, and management strategies which can accommodate the unique characteristics of the Airborne Network. Various IP-enabled radios (e.g., TTNT) would be used to establish these connections. Military satellite links, as well as various commercial satellite links, such as INMARSAT and Iridium, would also be available. The specific IP-radios that will be available for both the air and the ground nodes of the AN certainly will influence the eventual choice of routing architecture.