Background and Motivation
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks like Starlink, OneWeb, and Amazon Kuiper are transforming global Internet connectivity by providing high-speed, low-latency access to previously underserved regions. Understanding the performance characteristics, limitations, and behaviors of these networks requires comprehensive measurement infrastructure that can capture data from multiple geographic locations and under varying conditions.
LEOSCOPE is a global testbed infrastructure designed specifically for LEO satellite network research. By deploying measurement nodes at Starlink terminals worldwide, LEOSCOPE enables researchers to conduct controlled experiments, collect longitudinal performance data, and study the behavior of satellite networks under real-world conditions. The testbed addresses critical gaps in our understanding of LEO network performance, including latency variations due to satellite handovers, throughput characteristics across different locations, and the impact of weather and atmospheric conditions.
Expected Outcomes
This thesis focuses on contributing to the development and expansion of the LEOSCOPE testbed. Depending on interests and skills, the work may include:
- Developing new measurement tools and scripts for automated data collection across testbed nodes.
- Implementing analysis pipelines for processing and visualizing collected measurement data.
- Expanding testbed capabilities with new measurement methodologies (latency probing, throughput testing, application-level metrics).
- Creating management and monitoring infrastructure for distributed testbed operation.
- Conducting measurement studies using the testbed to characterize LEO network behavior.
The specific research direction will be determined in collaboration with the supervisor based on current testbed needs and student interests.
Requirements
- Strong programming skills in Python for measurement tool development.
- Experience with Linux system administration and shell scripting.
- Familiarity with network measurement tools and methodologies.
- Understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, latency, throughput).
- Interest in distributed systems and testbed infrastructure.
For detailed information about this thesis topic, please contact Dr. Nitinder Mohan at n.mohan@tudelft.nl.
