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Networking and Protocols Group

Networking and Protocols Group

The Networking and Protocols Group is active in most of the satellite communications issues related to layers 2+ (two and above) of the ISO/OSI protocol stack: from MAC algorithms, adaptation of IETF protocols, TCP and other transport-layer enhancements, to broadband internet applications for the digital divide and public safety. The design of novel systems, the realisation of trials and demonstrations, and the development of innovative technical solutions are the key activities of the group.

Our Visions and Missions:

• Seamless integration of terrestrial Internet and satellites
  • Interface to satellite broadband access technologies, for interactive and IP-based multimedia services,
• Efficient use of higher-layers satellite resources
  • demonstrate/develop/optimize transport layer protocols
  • algorithms for efficient resource management and allocation
  • encapsulation and protocol overhead optimization
• Secure, reliable satellite-based systems for safety of life
  • emergency and aeronautical satellite-based communications

Main Research Topics:

• Resource management, scheduling, encapsulation, MAC:
  • design of satellite messaging systems,
  • header compression and overhead optimization,
  • encapsulation optimization (e.g. GSE protocol),
  • interference-aware resource management and cross-layer techniques,
  • uncoordinated contention-based MAC algorithms.
• Network and transport layer:
  • ETSI BSM concepts and L2-L3 interface design,
  • transport-layer protocols for highly asymmetrical links (e.g. optical free space communications),
  • Performance Enhancing Proxies (PEPs).
• Layers 4+:
  • DTNs (Delay Tolerant Networks),
  • CAP (Common Alerting Protocol).

Applications Scenarios:

• Public Protection and Disaster Relief:
  • Integration of GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) with satellite communications,
  • Disaster management via satellite-based communications,
  • Protocols for satcom-based alerting messaging.
• Air Traffic Management via satellite:
  • Resource management, MAC, transport layer.
• Broadband Satellite systems:
  • Interworking with terrestrial Internet,
  • Efficient exploitation of higher-layer resources.
• Deep space, exploratory space missions:
  • routing in networks with intermittent connectivity,
  • Delay Tolerant Networks (DTN).

Standardisation Activities:

• DVB Forum (Digital Video Broadcasting)
  • Technical Module RCS (Return Channel via Satellite),
• ETSI
  • SatEC (Satellite for Emergency Communications),
  • SCN (Satellite Communications and Navigation),
• CCSDS
  • SLS-C&S (Space Link Services Area - Space Link Coding and Synchronization WG)
  • SIS-DTN (Space Internetworking Services Area - Delay Tolerant Networking WG)
    

Selection of Ongoing and Past Projects:

• ESA ARTES 10 Programme for the Provision of Air Traffic Management Communications Services over Satellite: ANTARES
• Demonstrator Emergency aNd Interactive S-band sErvices: DENISE
• Mobile Ku-Band Receive Only Terminal Demonstrator: KuMobile
• Networking the Sky for Aeronautical Communications: NEWSKY
• Satellite Network of Excellence (SatNEx)
• WirelessCabin
• Wireless Infrastructure over Satellite for Emergency COMmunications (WISECOM)