Softwarization and Virtualization as Enablers for Future EHF/FSO High Throughput Satellites

Combining the use of Extremely High Frequencies (EHF) and Free Space Optics (FSO) for the feeder links of future High Throughput Satellites (HTS) is recognized as a key element to optimize system efficiency in terms of costs, power consumption and to increase the data rate to unprecedented levels (Terabit/s). This paper provides an overview of the main challenges to be faced to make the exploitation of hybrid EHF/FSO links feasible and cost-effective. In this framework, propagation and HW impairments mitigation techniques will play a key role. Therefore, the paper also presents a vision on how the use of SDN/SDR and NFV, extended down to lower layers of the protocol stack, could provide novel, so far unexplored, opportunities for optimizing the performance of such mitigation techniques.