High-Flying Aircraft Relays Satellite Internet to Ground Users

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.

What it covers

The system connects ground users to satellites using a special relay aircraft. This aircraft flies above the clouds and has two main parts: a laser communications module and a Radio Frequency (RF) communications module. When data comes from a satellite via laser, the aircraft's laser module receives it, and its RF module converts that data into cloud-penetrating RF signals to send to ground terminals (Claim 1). Conversely, data from ground terminals arrives as RF, gets converted by the aircraft into laser signals, and is then sent up to the satellite (Claim 1). Ground terminals can even pick the fastest path, either directly to the satellite with lasers or through the aircraft and then the satellite (Claim 1). For example, if a ground terminal needs to send data to another ground terminal, it could send an RF signal to the aircraft, which converts it to laser for the satellite, and the satellite then relays it to the destination.

What it doesn't cover

• —Communication systems where satellites use traditional RF communication for all links, as the claims emphasize laser communication for satellite links (Claim 1, 6).
• —Relay systems where the aircraft operates below cloud level, as it's specified to fly "at altitudes above clouds" (Claim 1).
• —Systems where the ground terminal cannot select between a direct laser path to the satellite and a relayed path through the aircraft (Claim 1).
• —Systems where the relay aircraft does not convert between laser and RF signals, but simply repeats one type of signal (Claim 1).
• —Systems where the satellite demodulates the received laser communication before relaying it (Claim 1).

The clever bit

The novelty lies in combining laser satellite links with cloud-penetrating RF ground links via a high-altitude aircraft, allowing ground terminals to dynamically choose the optimal communication path based on speed, effectively bypassing weather-related optical interference.

Why it matters

This patent addresses challenges in satellite communication, especially for areas with frequent cloud cover that can block laser signals to the ground. By introducing a high-altitude aircraft as an intermediary, it creates a flexible and robust network. This approach could improve internet access in remote regions or provide resilient communication during emergencies.

Real-world examples

• 1.Satellite internet services (e.g., Starlink, Project Kuiper) when paired with high-altitude platforms
• 2.High-altitude platform stations (HAPS) for telecommunications
• 3.Disaster relief communication networks
• 4.Military or government secure communication links