How Satellites Handle Super Fast User Data Using Shared Antennas

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.

What it covers

The patent describes a method for a satellite system to handle a lot of data quickly. A first satellite receives data from a user at a high speed, specifically greater than 30 Mbps (Claim 1). This receiving antenna is special because it's also designed to work at the same frequency as the "feeder link" (the connection to a ground station) and can even complete a second feeder link itself (Claim 1). The data then travels from this first satellite to a second satellite using a "crosslink" (satellite-to-satellite connection), and finally, the second satellite sends the data down to a "terrestrial gateway" (a ground station) via a "feeder link" (Claim 1). For example, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) could send high-speed data to a satellite, which then relays it through the satellite network to a ground station connected to the internet.

What it doesn't cover

• —Satellite systems where the user-facing antenna cannot also operate at the feeder link frequency band (Claim 1).
• —Systems where the data rate from the user is consistently 30 Mbps or less (Claim 1).
• —Satellite systems that do not use crosslinks to forward data between satellites (Claim 1).
• —Systems where the feeder link does not connect to a terrestrial gateway coupled to a terrestrial data network (Claim 1).
• —Systems where the user terminal requires a transmitter output power of 50 watts or more, or an aperture size of 1.3 meters or more (Claim 12).

The clever bit

The novelty lies in configuring the satellite's user-facing antenna to also operate at the feeder link frequency band, and potentially even complete a feeder link itself (Claim 1). This dual-use capability allows for more efficient use of satellite hardware and spectrum, enhancing overall payload capacity by streamlining how data is received and then forwarded to ground stations.

Why it matters

This patent addresses the challenge of providing high-speed internet and data services from space, especially to remote or mobile users like UAVs or those in high-latitude regions. By efficiently handling high data rates and using inter-satellite links, it helps overcome limitations of traditional satellite communication, which often require satellites to be in direct view of a ground station to offload data. This approach allows for more flexible and robust global coverage.

Real-world examples

• 1.Starlink (SpaceX)
• 2.OneWeb
• 3.Project Kuiper (Amazon)
• 4.Viasat (for high-throughput satellites)
• 5.Government and military satellite communication networks