Aircraft In-Flight Communications System with Dual Network Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellular mobile telecommunication systems are not readily extendable to non-terrestrial applications due to signal interference issues and lack of compatibility with aircraft-based personal electronic devices (PEDs), limiting in-flight communication services.
Innovation Solution
A communications system for aircraft that integrates a ground-based network with a satellite-based network, using access points to provide a wireless local area network (WLAN) and air-to-ground communications devices to facilitate data communications, with network selection controllers managing data traffic between the two networks to optimize data delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If terrestrial cellular systems are used for in-flight communication, then ground-based coverage is achieved, but signal interference and compatibility issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an air-to-ground transceiver as an intermediary device that enables communication between aircraft and ground networks. This transceiver acts as a mediator that converts and transmits signals between the mobile device and ground infrastructure, resolving the incompatibility and interference issues between terrestrial systems and non-terrestrial applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into distinct components: ground-based cellular network, air-to-ground transceiver, and mobile device. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the transceiver handling the air-to-ground interface separately from the terrestrial network, thereby eliminating signal interference and compatibility problems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If satellite-based communication is used for in-flight internet access, then coverage is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges ground-based cellular networks with satellite-based communication systems into a unified air-to-ground communication infrastructure. This combination allows the system to leverage the coverage advantages of satellite communication while using established ground network infrastructure, thereby improving coverage without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The air-to-ground transceiver is designed as a universal interface that can communicate with both ground-based cellular networks and satellite systems. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware infrastructure to support multiple communication modes, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining broad coverage capability.
3Ease of operation
If air-to-ground transceivers are deployed, then communication capability is enabled, but data rate limitations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts communication parameters and signal processing based on real-time channel conditions. The air-to-ground transceiver employs adaptive modulation and coding schemes that optimize data rates according to signal strength, interference levels, and network load, thereby maximizing communication capability while achieving the highest possible data rates under varying conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A communications system is for an aircraft carrying at least some personnel having PEDs, and the communications system may include a ground-based communications network, and a satellite-based communications network. The system may include at least one access point in the aircraft for providing a wireless local area network (WLAN) within the aircraft to receive a web content request from a given PED and transmit corresponding web content to the given PED. An air-to-ground communications device in the aircraft may cooperate with the at least one access point for sending the web content request to the ground-based communications network defining a return link. Further, a satellite communications device in the aircraft may cooperate with the at least one access point for receiving the corresponding web content from the satellite-based communications network defining a forward link.