Future space-based communications infrastructures based on High Throughput Satellites and Software Defined Networking

Terrestrial networks are currently embracing new paradigms as Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV); these technologies can provide great opportunities also to broadband satellite networks architectures, bringing flexibility, scalability, customization and cost reduction. Moreover, new user-tailored services could be provided. In this paper, the use of SDN and NFV in a broadband satellite access scenario will be analyzed and some selected applications will be examied to identify possible benefits provided by these paradigms.