End-to-end congestion control for broadband networks with satellite-tailored QUIC protocol: the QUICoS project

In this paper we discuss the general objectives, challenges and some of the main results of the European Space Agency (ESA) QUIC over Satellite (QUICoS) Project (https://connectivity.esa.int/projects/quicos), which deals with the design and implementation of a satellite tailored end-to-end QUIC transport protocol and a testing framework suitable to assess applications running both terrestrial and satellite-based networks. The widespread use of modern Satellite Communication systems, including LEO Megaconstellations such as Starlink, as well as Very-High Throughput Satellites in GEO orbits, call for a necessary protocol optimization required for smooth operations in both terrestrial or satellite connections, with a common protocol stack and aiming at performance optimizations considering the most popular applications. The key challenges in designing and implementing a satellite-tailored QUIC protocol are discussed in this work, focusing on the most relevant outcomes also beyond original project scope, and results obtained using a custom-made virtualized testing environment.