  Next-generation of satellite communication (SatCom) networks are expected to
support extremely high data rates for a seamless integration into future large
satellite-terrestrial networks. In view of the coming spectral limitations, the
main challenge is to reduce the cost per bit, which can only be achieved by
enhancing the spectral efficiency. In addition, the capability to quickly and
flexibly assign radio resources according to the traffic demand distribution
has become a must for future multibeam broadband satellite systems. This
article presents the radio resource management problems encountered in the
design of future broadband SatComs and provides a comprehensive overview of the
available techniques to address such challenges. Firstly, we focus on the
demand-matching formulation of the power and bandwidth assignment. Secondly, we
present the scheduling design in practical multibeam satellite systems.
Finally, a number of future challenges and the respective open research topics
are described.
