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Google patents phone antennas that switch to satellite mode

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

This filing describes a device that uses its existing antennas to send standard cell phone signals at one time and satellite signals at another. When connecting to a satellite, the device combines multiple antennas to create a focused signal beam.

Why it mattersIt suggests a way for phones to use satellite links without needing separate hardware, which could improve coverage in remote areas.

In the filing’s own words

An example device comprising: a plurality of antennas; and one or more processors configured to: transmit, via a first antenna of the plurality of antennas and at a first time, a terrestrial communication signal; and transmit, via the plurality of antennas and at a second time, a non-terrestrial communication signal, wherein transmitting the non-terrestrial communication signal comprises forming a beam using at least two antennas of the plurality of antennas, the at least two antennas including the first antenna.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1: A device comprising: a plurality of antennas; and one or more processors configured to: transmit, via a first antenna of the plurality of antennas and at a first time, a terrestrial communication signal; and transmit, via the plurality of antennas and at a second time, a non-terrestrial communication signal, wherein transmitting the non-terrestrial communication signal comprises forming a beam using at least two antennas of the plurality of antennas, the at least two antennas including the first antenna.

Facts

Company
Google (Google LLC)
Official title
ANTENNA BEAM STEERING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOBILE SATELLITE COMMUNICATION
Publication number
US20260332240A1
Application number
18853629
Filed
Nov 28, 2023
Published
Oct 22, 2026
Inventors
2
Claims
17

Classified under

H04B 7/18513 Electricity & electronicsH01Q 1/243 Electricity & electronicsH01Q 3/24 Electricity & electronicsH04B 1/0064 Electricity & electronicsH04B 7/0617 Electricity & electronicsH04W 88/06 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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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.