A Framework for Routing and Topological Decision-Making within a Transformational Communications Architecture

A Transformational Communications Architecture (TCA) has been proposed by the US government with the goal of creating an Internet in the sky. This thesis presents a framework which places user requirements at the heart of routing and topological decision-making within the TCA. It provides new terminology to describe data transmissions and link characteristics and an approach to formulating cost functions to better meet user needs. The framework is intended to stimulate interest and focus efforts on how to meet military specific requirements by taking advantage of the TCA\u27s diverse capabilities and topology. Cost functions using newly-defined parameters are simulated and shown to improve relevant performance over a traditional routing approach