Abstract
The TCP protocol has been optimised to provide reliable operation over an internet of packet networks. A satellite link, particularly one using a terminal with a small aperture antenna, has features which differ from those of a terrestrial communication network, such as high propagation delay and a varying (often high) level of errors. Although TCP provides a reliable service, it does not always perform efficiently over a satellite link. The main weaknesses of TCP over a satellite link are the interaction between the TCP error recovery procedure and congestion control procedures and the inaccuracy of retransmission time-out estimation. These weaknesses are analysed, and a number of methods for improving the performance of TCP are presented. The improvements may be implemented by modifying the TCP transport protocol in the end-systems.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 47-53 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | IEE Proceedings: Communications |
Volume | 144 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 1997 |
Keywords
- Congestion
- Satellite links
- TCP