A Multipath Routing Algorithm Based on Data Replication for Low Earth Orbit Satellite Networks

As the number of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites increases, traditional direct communication links struggle to meet the telemetry and telecommand demands of large-scale satellite constellations. Inter-satellite routing offers a promising solution to this challenge. To enhance the reliability and timeliness of satellite telemetry and telecommand in mega-constellations, we propose the Data Copies-Based Multipath Routing (DCMR) algorithm. By transmitting multiple data copies over different paths, DCMR ensures reliable data delivery even when some paths fail. Additionally, DCMR optimizes the distribution of data across multiple paths to maximize transmission capacity and minimize end-to-end delay. To evaluate the algorithm's performance, simulations are conducted using the Starlink constellation within the STK and MATLAB environments. The results demonstrate that DCMR significantly outperforms single-path routing and backup multipath routing, showcasing its potential for telemetry and telecommand applications in LEO satellite networks.