Abstract
Future 7G/8G networks are expected to integrate both terrestrial Internet and space-based networks. Space networks, including inter-planetary Internet such as cislunar and deep-space networks, will become an integral part of future 7G/8G networks. Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication networks will also be a significant component of 7G/8G networks. Therefore, space networks will eventually integrate with V2X communication networks, with both space vehicles (or spacecrafts) and terrestrial vehicles involved. DTN is the only candidate networking technology for future heterogeneous space communication networks. In this work, we study possible concatenations of different DTN convergence layer protocol adapters (CLAs) over a cislunar relay communication architecture. We present a performance characterization of the concatenations of different CLAs and the associated data transport protocols in an experimental manner. The performance of different concatenations is compared over a typical primary and secondary cislunar relay architecture. The intent is to find out which network relay path and DTN protocol configuration has the best performance over the end-to-end cislunar path.