# 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. - **Patent:** US 10075242 - **Original title:** High throughput satellite system with optical feeder uplink beams and RF service downlink beams - **Owner:** Space Systems Loral - **Granted:** 2018 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 1 - **Field:** telecommunications, aerospace, consumer_electronics, software ## What it does 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. ## 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. ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. High-throughput satellite internet services 2. Satellite communications for remote regions 3. In-flight internet connectivity systems 4. Maxar Technologies (formerly Space Systems Loral) satellite platforms ## Why it matters 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. ## 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. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10075242/high-throughput-satellite-system-with-optical-feeder-uplink-beams-and-rf-service **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US10075242 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How High-Altitude Satellites Relay Data for Fast-Moving Low-Orbit Satellites](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10998965/high-throughput-satellites-and-methods-of-operating-high-throughput-satellites-f) — This patent describes how a high-throughput satellite (HTS) in a fixed orbit can dynamically track and relay data from fast-moving low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites to ground stations by precisely switching its focused radio beams. - [How Satellites Use Lasers and Colors to Send Data Fast](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8693947/extensible-high-bandwidth-global-space-communication-network) — This patent describes a satellite communication system that uses two low-orbit satellites linked by a high-speed laser beam, which splits light into different colors to send massive amounts of data quickly between ground stations or aircraft. - [High-Flying Aircraft Relays Satellite Internet to Ground Users](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10707961/adaptive-communication-system) — This patent describes a communication system that uses satellites, high-altitude aircraft, and ground stations to send data, specifically using lasers for space links and cloud-penetrating radio waves for ground links. - [How LEO Satellites Switch Beams for Speed and Avoid Interference](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11902010/dual-leo-satellite-system-and-method-for-global-coverage) — This patent describes a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite system that provides global internet by switching users to faster, focused beams when needed, while also preventing interference with older, higher-orbit satellites. - [How Satellites Handle Super Fast User Data Using Shared Antennas](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8135338/satellite-system-with-enhanced-payload-capacity) — This patent describes a satellite system boosting data capacity by having satellites receive high-speed user data, relay it via crosslinks to other satellites, and then send it to ground stations, often using a single antenna for both user and ground connections.