HetNet: A Flexible Architecture for Heterogeneous Satellite-Terrestrial Networks

As satellite networks have played an indispensable role in many fields, how to integrate them with terrestrial networks (e.g., the Internet) has attracted significant attention in academia. However, it is challenging to efficiently build such an integrated network, since terrestrial networks are facing a number of serious problems, and since they do not provide good support for heterogeneous network convergence. In this article, we propose a flexible network architecture, HetNet, for efficient integration of heterogeneous satellite-terrestrial networks. Specifically, the HetNet synthesizes Locator/ID split and Information-Centric Networking to establish a general network architecture. In this way, it is able to achieve heterogeneous network convergence, routing scalability alleviation, mobility support, traffic engineering, and efficient content delivery. Moreover, the HetNet can further improve its network elasticity by using the techniques of Software-Defined Networking and Network Functions Virtualization. In addition, to evaluate the HetNet performance, we build a proof-of-concept prototype system and conduct extensive experiments. The results confirm the feasibility of the HetNet and its advantages.