  Satellite networks, as a supplement to terrestrial networks, can provide
effective computing services for Internet of Things (IoT) users in remote
areas. Due to the resource limitation of satellites, such as in computing,
storage, and energy, a computation task from a IoT user can be divided into
several parts and cooperatively accomplished by multiple satellites to improve
the overall operational efficiency of satellite networks. Network function
virtualization (NFV) is viewed as a new paradigm in allocating network
resources on-demand. Satellite edge computing combined with the NFV technology
is becoming an emerging topic. In this paper, we propose a potential game
approach for virtual network function (VNF) placement in satellite edge
computing. The VNF placement problem aims to maximize the number of allocated
IoT users, while minimizing the overall deployment cost. We formulate the VNF
placement problem with maximum network payoff as a potential game and analyze
the problem by a game-theoretical approach. We implement a decentralized
resource allocation algorithm based on a potential game (PGRA) to tackle the
VNF placement problem by finding a Nash equilibrium. Finally, we conduct the
experiments to evaluate the performance of the proposed PGRA algorithm. The
simulation results show that the proposed PGRA algorithm can effectively
address the VNF placement problem in satellite edge computing.
