Method and arrangements for wireless communication in a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides an operational mode of communication which adjusts a transmitting power of a cellular system and a mobile terminal used inside a vehicle, such as an aircraft, so that the mobile terminals (102) inside the aircraft camp on the indoor cellular network (100) inside the aircraft and do not interfere with external cellular networks. This reduces possible electromagnetic interference with avionics inside the aircraft, because the transmitted power levels is limited. The frequency band used by the indoor cellular network can be determined by the service provider independent of frequency bands allocated by communication specifications and regulations. Conventional mobile terminals (102) and conventional base transceiver stations (104) applying the aircraft profile according to the invention can be used inside the aircraft while aboard to communicate with the conventional external cellular networks (150).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to the field of mobile radio communication systems in cellular wireless networks, and more particularly to mobile communication systems using wireless network cells inside a vehicle, such as an aircraft, other airborne vessel, ship or train while aboard. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The use of mobile phones is restricted inside airline carriers due to a possibility that the transmission of a mobile phone could cause interference problems. [0003] The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates the use of wireless mobile phones aboard aircrafts while they are in flight, has since 1988 barred the use of cellular phones in the air because of their potential to interfere with terrestrial cellular calls. This regulation names only mobile phones operating in the 850 MHz cellular band, but the airlines have the authority to decide about the use of any type of mobile phone during flight. The Federal Avia...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] An object of the invention is to solve the problems related to prior art and thus provide an aircraft profile for wireless communication via a wireless connection or network inside the aircraft and a mobile terminal capable of communicating with a external terrestrial wireless network, in which the mobile terminal can be switched on to be used inside an aircraft without interfering with navigation and other avionics equipment, and without being jammed by operation of unwanted external wireless networks outside the aircraft.

[0014] The present invention provides an aircraft profile which adjusts a transmitting power of a cellular system and a mobile terminal used inside the aircraft to a limit value that the mobile terminals inside the aircraft camp the indoor cellular network inside the aircraft and do not interfere with external cellular networks. This limit value of transmitting power in the indoor cellular network also reduces possible electromagnetic interference with avionics inside the aircraft, because the transmitted power levels are low. The frequency band used by the indoor cellular network can be determined by the service provider (or operator) independent of frequency bands allocated by the countries in whose airspace the aircraft is flying or to which the aircraft is landing. Conventional mobile terminals and conventional base transceiver stations applying the aircraft profile according to the invention can be used inside the aircraft while aboard to communicate with the conventional external cellular networks.

Problems solved by technology

The use of mobile phones is restricted inside airline carriers due to a possibility that the transmission of a mobile phone could cause interference problems.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates the use of wireless mobile phones aboard aircrafts while they are in flight, has since 1988 barred the use of cellular phones in the air because of their potential to interfere with terrestrial cellular calls.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends for its part that the use of a cellular phone is unauthorized during taxiing, take-off and landing.

Some other problems have also arisen due to relatively high transmitting power of wireless systems and electromagnetic interference thereof.

Anecdotal instances suggest that the use of the mobile phone on an aircraft might interfere with the navigation equipment and other avionics or communications equipment on the aircraft.

Another problem is that due to the height of an airborne aircraft the wireless network coverage does not cover the mobile phones on an airborne aircraft because the terrestrial wireless networks are designed for lateral transmission and reception of radio frequency signals and for relatively slow moving vehicles and pedestrians.

However, other problems may arise when there exists a wireless cell inside an aircraft and at the same time there are available powerful external wireless cells.

There is, for example, a problem to keep all the mobile phones inside the aircraft exclusively camped to the cell inside the aircraft.

Although the use of the mobile phone from an aircraft might be possible at some altitudes, it does not operate within the considerations designed and built about call handovers between adjacent terrestrial cells.

Due to the high velocity of the airborne aircraft an equally strong RF signal from the mobile phone may be picked up on multiple base stations on the ground and the network is unable to process a normal call handover procedure.

This might result in an operational malfunction, might cause calls to be frequently dropped and could actually cause base stations to shut down.

This might also jam calls of other users covered by the same terrestrial base stations.

As more and more people carry and use mobile phones, it may not be justified to maintain areas where their use is prohibited because it increases the tendency for misuse and to contravene rules unintentionally or on purpose.

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