Topology update analysis for a space base backbone network

The authors document a robust ´constrained flooding´ topology update scheme which results in a consistent distributed database (DDB) for a highly survivable and reliable space-based (SB) communication network management system. The physical nodes of the SB communication network may include satellites in various orbital configurations and ground stations. Consequently, the connectivity between network nodes will undergo dramatic changes every few minutes. The distributed network management algorithms for this large, dynamic network operate successfully because each network node is assumed to have a current database containing the global network state. Specifically, this database includes both global connectivity and global link utilization information. A mathematical model for this system is developed and used to show that the probability of DDB inconsistency is very small. The main impact of DDB inconsistencies is increased message delay and consequent reduced message survivability.<>