How Satellites Send Internet Signals Using Light Beams
This patent describes a ground system that sends many internet data streams to a satellite using a single optical light beam, allowing the satellite to broadcast radio signals without needing to change their frequency.
Original patent title: “High throughput satellite system with optical feeder uplink beams and RF service downlink beams”
This patent describes a ground system that sends many internet data streams to a satellite using a single optical light beam, allowing the satellite to broadcast radio signals without needing to change their frequency. Granted to Space Systems Loral in 2018 with 29 claims and 1 forward citation, and it is expected to expire in 2036.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a ground-based system that prepares data to be sent to a satellite using light instead of traditional radio waves. The system uses multiple lasers, each emitting light at a different color (wavelength). Each laser's light is then modulated by an electro-optical modulator (EOM) with a specific radio frequency (RF) signal that already contains data for satellite internet. Crucially, these RF signals are within the exact same frequency range (like the Ka band, 17.7 GHz to 20.2 GHz, as per claimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 7) that the satellite will use to broadcast to users. All these modulated light signals are then combined into one powerful optical feeder uplink beam and sent to the satellite. Because the RF frequencies are already correct, the satellite does not need any frequency conversion equipment, as stated in claim 1, simplifying its design.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover satellite systems that use traditional radio frequency (RF) signals for the uplink from the ground station.
- Does not cover systems where the satellite performs frequency conversion on the received uplink signals before transmitting the downlink beams.
- Does not cover systems where the optical data signals output by the electro-optical modulators are not within the same RF frequency range as the satellite's downlink beams.
- Does not cover systems where the service terminals receive optical signals directly, rather than radio frequency (RF) service downlink beams.
- Does not cover satellites that only transmit a single RF service downlink beam, as the patent specifies a 'plurality' (multiple) of beams.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The truly clever part is that the ground system prepares the data in the exact radio frequency (RF) range that the satellite will use for broadcasting, before sending it up as light. This means the satellite can simply convert the light back into radio waves and transmit them directly, avoiding the need for heavy and power-consuming frequency converters in space.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
High-throughput satellite internet services
Satellite communications for remote regions
In-flight internet connectivity systems
Maxar Technologies (formerly Space Systems Loral) satellite platforms
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology is important for high-throughput satellites, which are designed to deliver massive amounts of data, often for internet access. By eliminating complex frequency conversion equipment on the satellite itself, it can make satellites lighter, less power-hungry, and potentially more reliable. This efficiency helps provide faster and more affordable satellite internet services to remote areas and for applications like in-flight connectivity.
Filed
December 29, 2016
Granted
September 11, 2018
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Space Systems Loral LLC, now part of Maxar Technologies, is the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more → and continues to be a major player in satellite manufacturing and operations. Other companies in the high-throughput satellite market, such as Viasat, Hughes Network Systems, and OneWeb, are constantly innovating to improve satellite efficiency and capacity, potentially exploring or developing similar optical uplink technologies.
Market impact
This patent contributes to the ongoing evolution of high-throughput satellite systems, which are critical for expanding global broadband access. By proposing a method to simplify satellite payloads and reduce power consumption, it aims to enable more cost-effective and higher-capacity satellite deployments. This could lead to increased competition and improved services in the satellite internet market, making broadband more accessible to underserved populations and supporting new applications.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a ground-based system that prepares data to be sent to a satellite using light instead of traditional radio waves. The system uses multiple lasers, each emitting light at a different color (wavelength). Each laser's light is then modulated by an electro-optical modulator (EOM) with a specific radio frequency (RF) signal that already contains data for satellite internet. Crucially, these RF signals are within the exact same frequency range (like the Ka band, 17.7 GHz to 20.2 GHz, as per claim 7) that the satellite will use to broadcast to users. All these modulated light signals are then combined into one powerful optical feeder uplink beam and sent to the satellite. Because the RF frequencies are already correct, the satellite does not need any frequency conversion equipment, as stated in claim 1, simplifying its design.
The clever bit
The truly clever part is that the ground system prepares the data in the exact radio frequency (RF) range that the satellite will use for broadcasting, before sending it up as light. This means the satellite can simply convert the light back into radio waves and transmit them directly, avoiding the need for heavy and power-consuming frequency converters in space.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover satellite systems that use traditional radio frequency (RF) signals for the uplink from the ground station.
- Does not cover systems where the satellite performs frequency conversion on the received uplink signals before transmitting the downlink beams.
- Does not cover systems where the optical data signals output by the electro-optical modulators are not within the same RF frequency range as the satellite's downlink beams.
- Does not cover systems where the service terminals receive optical signals directly, rather than radio frequency (RF) service downlink beams.
- Does not cover satellites that only transmit a single RF service downlink beam, as the patent specifies a 'plurality' (multiple) of beams.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
6/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
19/20
Very broad protection
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$55K – $175K
Midpoint $109K · 10.2 yr remaining · industry ×1.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
29 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Turgeon, G., Gallagher, V., & WANG, L. (2018). How Satellites Send Internet Signals Using Light Beams (U.S. Patent No. 10,075,242). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10075242/high-throughput-satellite-system-with-optical-feeder-uplink-beams-and-rf-service
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Satellites Send Internet Signals Using Light Beams cover?
This patent describes a ground system that sends many internet data streams to a satellite using a single optical light beam, allowing the satellite to broadcast radio signals without needing to change their frequency.
Who owns patent US 10075242?
Space Systems Loral owns this patent, granted in 2018.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on December 29, 2036, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 10075242 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology is important for high-throughput satellites, which are designed to deliver massive amounts of data, often for internet access. By eliminating complex frequency conversion equipment on the satellite itself, it can make satellites lighter, less power-hungry, and potentially more reliable. This efficiency helps provide faster and more affordable satellite internet services to remote areas and for applications like in-flight connectivity.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover satellite systems that use traditional radio frequency (RF) signals for the uplink from the ground station.
Same assignee
More from Space Systems Loral
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