Choosing inter-satellite paths in the LEO satellite constellation network

Routing algorithms for Low Earth Orbit(LEO) satellite constellation networks select the LDP(least delay path) or the LHP(least hop path) according to the algorithm's characteristic,but the rationality of choosing the LHP has not been proven in detail.This work focuses on the relationship between LDP and LHP in the LEO satellite network.Traversal simulations show that the LDP belongs to the LHP set in the LEO network and that the delay variation in the LHP set is acceptable.Therefore,the LHP criterion can be used instead of the LDP criterion to reduce the computational complexity and achieve a distributed approach.The transmission delay characteristics of the LHP are used to choose an inter-satellite path to reduce handover costs.The results show how to optimize the distributed routing algorithm in the LEO satellite network.