In this paper, we investigate the issues related to the use
of a BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) backbone to
provide connectivity between mobile nodes, with a
specific focus on nodes within an airborne network
domain. Research efforts have developed multiple
MANET (Mobile Ad hoc Network) protocols to provide
routing for mobile nodes. In an airborne network
environment, however, there may not be a dense enough
concentration of nodes within radio range to provide the
connectivity needed for effective use of a MANET
protocol. In addition, aircraft within radio range of
other nodes will experience intermittent and varying
quality radio signals due to banking, interference, or
Doppler effects.
BGP is the de facto standard in use today to provide
terrestrial internetworking routing among Autonomous
Systems (AS) despite well known problems. BGP
configuration can be complex and has convergence
issues but the BGP capability to handle large numbers
of routes makes it invaluable. In addition to its use in
terrestrial internetworking, BGP has been identified as
the routing protocol for the Transformational Satellite
Communications System (TSAT) Network. Given the
BGP networks in a satellite network above and a
terrestrial network below an airborne network, it is
important to understand the issues of connecting via
BGP for airborne nodes.
This paper summarizes the results of lab experiments
evaluating use of a BGP network for an alternate
routing path between aircraft when there is no other
connectivity within their airborne routing domain.
Routing protocol overhead and convergence times are
presented here along with an analysis of airborne nodes
use of interdomain routing for connectivity.
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