A decade of EHF scientific research: unveiling insights from Alphasat Q/V-band satellite communication experiments

In 2008, the Italian Space Agency (ASI) consolidated its position on research and experiments regarding extremely high frequency (EHF) satellite communication through the proposal to the European Space Agency (ESA) of hosting a Q/V-band experimental payload on board the Alphasat geostationary satellite. The latter large platform, launched in 2013, thus hosted the so-called TDP#5 (Technology Demonstration Payload), aimed at performing the first Q/V-band telecommunication and propagation experimental campaigns. Thanks to the precious contribution given to the definition of the overall mission and the scientific objectives, the payload was then renamed in memory of Professor Aldo Paraboni, pioneer of scientific research on EHF satellite propagation. Since 2014, a large number of satellite communication scientific experiments have been conducted by the University of Rome Tor Vergata, principal investigator for the ASI telecommunication campaign. Due to the excellent scientific results and the high reliability of the system, the experimental campaign is still ongoing. The main objective of the proposed telecommunication experiments is to demonstrate the feasibility of broadband satellite communications in Q/V band, optimizing and assessing, over-the-air, the performance of the indispensable adaptive transmission techniques. Moreover, the application of innovative paradigms related to software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV) has been investigated in the framework of satellite systems exploiting beyond Ka-band frequencies. The goal that drives this experimental activity is to provide to the academic community, manufacturers, and service providers useful tools to cope with Q/V-band links for future satellite communication systems. The use of EHF links contributes to the reduction of RF front end and thus minimization of orbital junk; moreover, high throughput links in conjunction with software-driven architectures enable a high level of system reconfigurability that is one of the pillars for a sustainable use of space. The paper presents the main results of the last 10 years of Q/V-band experiments, as well as the plans and perspectives for future scientific and operational activities in a sustainable space framework.