How High-Altitude Satellites Relay Data for Fast-Moving Low-Orbit Satellites
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.
Original patent title: “High throughput satellites and methods of operating high throughput satellites for relaying data between low earth orbit satellites to endpoints”
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. Granted to Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co in 2021 with 24 claims and 23 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2039.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent details a method for a high-throughput satellite (HTS) to act as a data relay for low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The system first predicts the path of an orbiting LEO satellite (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1). Based on this predicted path, it identifies a sequence of specific radio beams, called spot beams, on the HTS that have compatible radio properties, known as 'matching color re-use polarization' (Claim 1). This information is then sent to the HTS, instructing it to seamlessly hand off the communication link from one spot beam to the next as the LEO satellite moves, ensuring a continuous connection (Claim 1). For example, if a LEO satellite is transmitting weather data, the HTS would anticipate its movement across its coverage area and automatically switch the focused radio beam to maintain a strong inter-satellite link, even adjusting data transmission settings (MODCOD) if ground station weather degrades the signal (Claim 2, 4).
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover relaying data between satellites without using a High Throughput Satellite (HTS).
- Does not cover inter-satellite links that do not involve dynamically assigning spot beams based on a LEO satellite's trajectory.
- Does not cover maintaining an inter-satellite link without considering 'matching color re-use polarization' for the spot beams.
- Does not cover direct communication from a LEO satellite to a ground station without an HTS acting as a relay.
- Does not cover systems where the HTS spot beams are static and do not adapt to the LEO satellite's movement.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The innovation lies in dynamically predicting a fast-moving LEO satellite's path and then precisely instructing a geostationary HTS to switch its highly focused spot beams, ensuring a continuous, high-quality inter-satellite link by selecting beams with compatible radio properties.
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
LEO satellite internet constellations (e.g., Starlink, OneWeb)
Earth observation satellite data relay
Global maritime and aviation communication networks
Military satellite communication systems
Why it matters
The bigger picture
LEO satellites, like those used for global internet or Earth observation, move very quickly and are only visible to a ground station for short periods. This patent provides a way for a geostationary HTS to extend the communication window for LEO satellites, making data transfer more efficient and reliable. By using an HTS as a relay, LEO operators can reduce the number of expensive ground stations needed worldwide.
Filed
December 31, 2019
Granted
May 4, 2021
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies operating large LEO satellite constellations, such as SpaceX (Starlink), OneWeb, and Amazon (Project Kuiper), are actively developing and deploying technologies for efficient data relay. Traditional geostationary satellite operators like Intelsat, SES, Eutelsat, and AsiaSat itself are also investing in HTS capabilities to serve the growing LEO market and enhance their relay services.
Market impact
This technology supports the rapid expansion of LEO satellite constellations by providing a more efficient way to get data from orbit to the ground. It helps overcome the challenge of LEO satellites' limited ground station visibility, potentially reducing operational costs for LEO operators. This capability is becoming increasingly important as global demand for satellite internet and Earth observation data grows, enabling more robust and continuous services.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent details a method for a high-throughput satellite (HTS) to act as a data relay for low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The system first predicts the path of an orbiting LEO satellite (Claim 1). Based on this predicted path, it identifies a sequence of specific radio beams, called spot beams, on the HTS that have compatible radio properties, known as 'matching color re-use polarization' (Claim 1). This information is then sent to the HTS, instructing it to seamlessly hand off the communication link from one spot beam to the next as the LEO satellite moves, ensuring a continuous connection (Claim 1). For example, if a LEO satellite is transmitting weather data, the HTS would anticipate its movement across its coverage area and automatically switch the focused radio beam to maintain a strong inter-satellite link, even adjusting data transmission settings (MODCOD) if ground station weather degrades the signal (Claim 2, 4).
The clever bit
The innovation lies in dynamically predicting a fast-moving LEO satellite's path and then precisely instructing a geostationary HTS to switch its highly focused spot beams, ensuring a continuous, high-quality inter-satellite link by selecting beams with compatible radio properties.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover relaying data between satellites without using a High Throughput Satellite (HTS).
- Does not cover inter-satellite links that do not involve dynamically assigning spot beams based on a LEO satellite's trajectory.
- Does not cover maintaining an inter-satellite link without considering 'matching color re-use polarization' for the spot beams.
- Does not cover direct communication from a LEO satellite to a ground station without an HTS acting as a relay.
- Does not cover systems where the HTS spot beams are static and do not adapt to the LEO satellite's movement.
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
Moderate
Citation count
28/40
Moderately cited
Claim breadth
16/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
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
$197K – $629K
Midpoint $393K · 13.4 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
24 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
YIP, K. F., VONG, F. C. Y., LEUNG, H. Y. C., CHAN, M. H., TONG, R. S. H., & Hu, H. (2021). How High-Altitude Satellites Relay Data for Fast-Moving Low-Orbit Satellites (U.S. Patent No. 10,998,965). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10998965/high-throughput-satellites-and-methods-of-operating-high-throughput-satellites-f
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 High-Altitude Satellites Relay Data for Fast-Moving Low-Orbit Satellites cover?
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.
Who owns patent US 10998965?
Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co owns this patent, granted in 2021.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on December 31, 2039, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 10998965 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 23 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
LEO satellites, like those used for global internet or Earth observation, move very quickly and are only visible to a ground station for short periods. This patent provides a way for a geostationary HTS to extend the communication window for LEO satellites, making data transfer more efficient and reliable. By using an HTS as a relay, LEO operators can reduce the number of expensive ground stations needed worldwide.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover relaying data between satellites without using a High Throughput Satellite (HTS).
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