TCP performance analysis on asymmetric networks composed of satellite and terrestrial links

As the Internet users increase, asymmetric networks which provide asymmetric bandwidth or delay for uplink and downlink have become a great attraction. However, asymmetric networks which use both terrestrial and satellite links at the same time have not been enough investigated. Therefore, this paper proposes a new formula for TCP performance evaluation for the asymmetric networks. Using this evaluation formula, we calculate the throughput of TCP Reno over the asymmetric networks taking Slow Start into account. The calculation results are compared with the following: (1) the value based on an existing theoretical formula, (2) the outputs of simulation buy NS (Network Simulator), and (3) the experimental results using VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) satellite communication system for satellite links and the Internet for terrestrial links. As a results, it is shown that the new formula is more precise than one already proposed.