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.

中文翻译：

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HetNet：异构卫星-地面网络的灵活架构

由于卫星网络在许多领域中起着不可或缺的作用，如何将其与地面网络（例如互联网）集成在一起已引起学术界的极大关注。但是，由于地面网络面临许多严重的问题，并且由于它们不能为异构网络融合提供良好的支持，因此有效地构建这样的集成网络具有挑战性。在本文中，我们提出了一种灵活的网络体系结构HetNet，以有效地集成异构卫星地面网络。具体来说，HetNet综合了Locator / ID拆分和以信息为中心的网络，以建立通用的网络体系结构。通过这种方式，它可以实现异构网络融合，缓解路由可伸缩性，移动性支持，流量工程，高效的内容交付。而且，HetNet可以通过使用软件定义的网络和网络功能虚拟化技术进一步提高其网络弹性。此外，为了评估HetNet的性能，我们构建了概念验证原型系统并进行了广泛的实验。结果证实了HetNet的可行性及其优势。