Distance Characteristics of Paths with the Minimum Inter-Satellite Hops in LEO Satellite Networks

Satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO) networks can be connected by multi-hop inter-satellite paths. In most LEO network scenarios, the shortest distance path (SDP) is also within the minimum hop path (MHP) set. The distance differences between SDP and various MHPs are less studied. This paper proposes approaches to calculate the SDP and the longest distance path (LDP) in the MHP set. Then the distance of SDP, LDP, and randomly generated MHPs are compared and analyzed based on the Starlink scenario. The path difference is mainly caused by the distance of interplane inter-satellite links (ISLs) and is also affected by the required interplane and intraplane hops. The results show that when the source and destination satellites are far away, the path distance differences between MHPs are significant and should be considered in path selection.