Communication of multiple data streams over ground power lines

Abstract

The disclosure discloses communication of multiple data streams over ground power lines. Methods and apparatus are disclosed for communicating between an aircraft and a terminal when the aircraft is on the ground. The connection between the aircraft and the terminal is made over a ground power line while the aircraft is being supplied with power. The ground power line comprises one or more wires,which are typically unshielded and cause radio interference. At the transmitting end, multiple copies of the same signal offset in phase relative to one another over the ground power line. Each data stream is coupled to a respective wire in the ground power line. At the receiving end, the multiple copies of the signal are extracted from the respective wires of the ground power line and combined togenerate a combined signal with improved signal-to-noise ratio. Radio interference is suppressed by transmitting the data streams in a phase offset manner so that the unwanted emissions cancel.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to broadband communications over power lines and, more particularly, to multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) communications over ground power lines between an aircraft or other vehicle and a ground station. Background technique [0002] Newer aircraft are equipped with wireless communication capabilities (eg, WiFi) to facilitate the exchange of large amounts of data between the aircraft and airline operations centers during aircraft gate turnaround time. However, wireless connectivity has run into problems at many airports: limited WiFi infrastructure and bandwidth and interference from passengers' WiFi-enabled devices. Additionally, there are data security risks associated with sharing public wireless channels. [0003] An alternative to wireless communication is to use wired data communication over the already existing airport ground power lines. However, data transmission over power lines faces two fundam...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, wireless connectivity has run into problems at many airports: limited WiFi infrastructure and bandwidth and interference from passengers' WiFi-enabled devices

Widespread Deployment of BPL May Have Adverse Effects on Military HF Radio Communications

[0006] In addition, interference from adjacent systems in close proximity, such as an airport terminal gate area with multiple BPL outdoor facilities, further leads to signal degradation because BPL modems may not be able to determine specific frequencies among other signals in the same bandwidth

[0007] When errors in communication become significant, BPL devices become less efficient (packet loss and data retransmission), inoperative, or operate in an undesired manner (data corruption or contamination, but not detected)

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