Apparatus and Methods for Broadband Aeronautical Communications Systems

Abstract

The invention relates to the implementation of wireless communications in a network, which employs a multi-beam satellite, with an associated satellite service area, and a terrestrial-based capacity augmentation system, such as an air-to-ground communications system and / or an aircraft platform, for broadband Internet service to aeronautical mobile users. The capacity augmentation system may serve users in areas of elevated demand in the satellite service area. The network adapts to changes in demand over the service area and provides smooth service transitions as airplanes fly across the service area.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]As the appetite and need for broadband communications has grown, broadband network operators have expanded the reach of their networks to satisfy end users. Technological advancements to improve speed and infrastructure investments to improve reach have underpinned the growth of broadband networks and their usage. Broadband network access is available in most parts of cities, the surrounding suburbs, and also along many well and moderately traveled transportation arteries and roads; generally, broadband Internet networks are rolled out in areas with moderate to high concentrations of people. Networks have been built to provide Internet access to passengers on ships and airplanes, though the performance of such networks has lagged the performance of their terrestrial cousins, and usage costs of these networks are significantly higher. For aeronautical networks, in particular, companies such as Gogo, Panasonic, Global Eagle, ViaSat, Inmarsat, and Thale...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent brings together satellite technology and aircraft platforms to create a better way to offer internet access to passengers. This system can use capacity allocation to ensure efficient deployment of capacity to users as they travel. The goal is to make it easier and more affordable to connect to a network while in the air.

Problems solved by technology

While ubiquitous coverage from a satellite makes it an attractive element in an aeronautical network, satellite capacity limitations, arising from limited quantity of spectrum and practical limits on the minimum beam size a satellite can generate, present service quality challenges in areas, in which there are high concentrations of airplanes.

These factors combine to make it challenging to develop models to predict the number of aircraft and number of users in a given region.

Current aeronautical networks lack the capacity to provide sufficient bandwidth to all the users in such regions.

More satellites can be built to provide sufficient capacity to such regions, but this is an expensive solution.

Many regions with lower concentrations of passengers are remote, and it is generally too expensive to deploy an aircraft platform or ATG systems in such remote regions.

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