Kent K. Leung

Application of mobile-IP to space and aeronautical networks

NASA is interested in applying Mobile Internet Protocol (mobile-IP) technologies to its space and aeronautics programs. In particular, mobile-IP will play a major role in the Advanced Aeronautic Transportation Technology (AATT), the Weather Information Communication (WINCOMM) and the Small Aircraft Transportation System; (SATS) aeronautics programs. This paper describes mobile-IP and mobile-routers-in particular, the features, capabilities, and initial performance of the mobile-router is presented. The application of mobile-router technology to NASAs space and aeronautics programs is also discussed.

Application of mobile router to military communications

Cisco Systems and NASA Glenn Research Center under a NASA Space Act Agreement have been performing joint networking research to apply Internet technologies and protocols to space-based communications. During this time, Cisco Systems developed the mobile router which NASA and Cisco jointly tested. The early field trials of this technology have been successfully completed. The mobile router is software code that resides in a network router. A mobile router allows entire networks to roam while maintaining connectivity to the Internet. This router code is pertinent to a myriad of applications for both government and commercial sectors. This technology can be applied to the wireless battlefield and for near-planetary observation and sensing spacecraft. It enables communication via the Internet or intranets to aircraft. The mobile router can be incorporated into emergency vehicles, particularly ambulances and life-flight aircraft, to provide real-time connectivity back to hospital healthcare experts. Commercial applications include entertainment services, IP telephone and Internet connectivity for cruise ships, commercial shipping, tour buses, aircraft and, eventually, cars. This paper briefly describes the mobile router operation. An upcoming wide area network field test with application to US Coast Guard communications is described. The paper also highlights military and government networks that can benefit from the deployment of the mobile router and its associated applications.

Mobile router technology development

Cisco System and NASA have been performing joint research on mobile routing technology under a NASA Space Act Agreement. Cisco developed mobile router technology and provided that technology to NASA for applications to aeronautic and space-based missions. NASA has performed stringent performance testing of the mobile router, including of the interaction of routing and transport level protocols. This paper describes mobile routing, the mobile router, and some key configuration parameters. In addition, the paper describes the mobile routing test network and test results documenting the performance of transport protocols in dynamic routing environments.