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Satellite communications are providing a key role in the worldwide digital information networks. Among other applications, satellite communications provide the platform for Direct-to-Home (DTH) digital TV broadcasting as well as interactive and subscription TV services, mobile services to ships, aircraft and land-based users, and data distribution within business networks. Satellite networks are essential part of the Internet backbone enabling both broadband and narrowband Internet access services from remote and rural areas where the satellite access provide a unique way to complement the terrestrial telecommunication infrastructure. Moreover, satellite networks will play a crucial role in the framework of the Future Internet [Future Internet, 2009]. Recent trends in satellite communications show an increasing demand to replace or complement conventional modulation schemes, such as Quaternary Phase Shift Keying (QPSK), with higher-order M-ary modulation schemes. Some contributing factors that enable such trends are as follows [Alberty et al., 2007; Benedetto et al., 2005; Rinaldo & De Gaudenzi, 2004a; Rinaldo & De Gaudenzi, 2004b]:• The usage of higher frequency bands (eg, from X, Ku, up to Ka and Q).• The exploitation of capacity boosting techniques, such as Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) which are enabling the commercial exploitation of high frequency bands.