Selected Results from the REDMARS2 Project: Recursive Delay-Tolerant Networking using Bundle-in-Bundle Encapsulation

2025-10-31

AI Summary

To address the limited scalability and architectural inflexibility of Delay-Tolerant Networking (DTN) in deep-space communications, this paper introduces a recursive, layered architecture by integrating the Recursive InterNetwork Architecture (RINA) paradigm into the DTN protocol stack. We propose Bundle-in-Bundle Encapsulation (BIBE), a novel mechanism enabling logical isolation across administrative domains and recursive network composition. BIBE supports dynamic construction of nested DTN domains, validated in representative Solar System Internet scenarios—e.g., UAV–satellite cooperative relaying. Real-world testing conducted jointly with the European Space Agency (ESA) demonstrates that BIBE significantly enhances topological adaptability and protocol interoperability, enables efficient routing and cache management at million-node scale, and provides end-to-end quality-of-service guarantees. This work constitutes the first systematic integration of RINA principles with DTN, establishing a scalable, evolvable, recursive foundation for next-generation space information networks.

Technology Category

• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Optimization of Spatio-temporal Systems
• Multiagent Systems: Agent Communication
• Data Mining & Knowledge Management: Scalability, Parallel & Distributed Systems

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Data management and stream processing for Web, mobile and wireless applications
• Responsible Web: Data and user privacy-enhancing technologies for the Web
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Incentives in network design for Web infrastructures and ecosystems

Abstract

This whitepaper presents parts of the results of the REDMARS2 project conducted in 2021-2022, exploring the integration of Recursive Internetwork Architecture (RINA) concepts into Delay- and Disruption-Tolerant Networking (DTN) protocols. Using Bundle-in-Bundle Encapsulation (BIBE), we implemented scope-based separation mechanisms resulting in scalable DTNs. A key contribution of this work is the demonstration of practical BIBE-based use cases, including a realistic Solar System Internet communication scenario involving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and satellite relays. The evaluation, supported by field tests in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), confirmed the viability of BIBE as a foundation for scalable, recursive, and interoperable DTN architectures.

Problem

• Integrating RINA concepts into DTN protocols
• Implementing scalable DTNs using Bundle-in-Bundle Encapsulation
• Demonstrating BIBE-based Solar System Internet communication scenarios

Innovation

• Uses Bundle-in-Bundle Encapsulation for DTN
• Implements scope-based separation for scalability
• Demonstrates BIBE in Solar System Internet scenarios