2023, 45(2): 396-406.
doi: 10.11999/JEIT211400
Abstract:
In recent years, with the upsurging development of launching, satellite, telecommunication, and networks technologies, the form of space-based networks is undergoing qualitative changes. Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) constellation network has become a new option for many application scenarios. With the development trend towards a space-based information infrastructure, the LEO constellation is required to possess features of global coverage, constellation-terrestrial integration, diversified carrying, continuous evolution, security, and controllability, which put forward higher requirements for the network architecture of LEO constellation in the future. Therefore, in this paper, the development status of related fields of LEO constellation networks is summarized, and the tendencies of LEO constellation network development are analyzed. On this basis, an “all-in-cloud” network architecture based on Software-Defined Network (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) is proposed, making the network architecture programmable, decoupled, and decentralized. Moreover, the network operation management is supported by intention-driven approaches, so as to realize the capabilities of flexible carrying, continuous evolution, and automatic management of the network. Finally, the technical direction that needs to be focused on is looked forward to in this paper.