SpaceX patents router that switches between wide and focused Wi-Fi beams
This patent describes a wireless router that uses a vertical array of antennas to create a flat, focused beam of signal, alongside a standard antenna that sends signals in all directions. A control system switches between these two modes, starting with a wide broadcast to find devices and then focusing high-power beams at specific clients to improve connection strength.
In the filing’s own words
Disclosed are various systems and methods for addressing the efficiency issues discussed in the application. An example system includes a control system, a vertical array antenna having a plurality of antennas that generates a planar zone beam, an omni-directional antenna, a switch for switching, as managed by the control system, between the vertical array antenna and the omni-directional antenna; and a beamforming component that provides, as managed by the control system, beamforming of the planar zone beam. The vertical array antenna can include multiple high gain antennas that produce an antenna gain for the planar zone beam of between 12 and 22 dBi.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method comprising: transmitting, via a wireless router and in a low gain mode, a broadcast signal via a low-level planar zone beam, wherein the wireless router comprises a control system, a vertical array antenna having a plurality of antennas that generates a planar zone beam, an omni-directional antenna, a switch for switching, as managed by the control system, between the vertical array antenna and the omni-directional antenna and a beamforming component that provides, as managed by the control system, beamforming of the planar zone beam; establishing communication, via the wireless router and based on the broadcast signal, with one or more client devices; switching, via the control system of the wireless router, to a high gain mode; and communicating with each of the one or more client devices via a respective beam formed in the high gain mode by the beamforming component.
Facts
- Company
- SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corp.)
- Official title
- System and method of providing a wireless router
- Patent number
- US12738645B2
- Application number
- 18223464
- Filed
- Jul 18, 2023
- Granted
- Sep 15, 2026
- Inventors
- 3
- Claims
- 22
Classified under
H01Q 3/36 Electricity & electronicsH01Q 25/04 Electricity & electronicsMore from SpaceX in Networks & wireless
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.