Air-to-Ground Relay Aircraft Extend Wireless Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in providing connectivity to devices outside the coverage area of terrestrial base stations, particularly due to high deployment costs and practical limitations of existing satellite systems, which are not feasible for widespread implementation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of air-to-ground (ATG) communication systems, where commercial aircraft are used as relays to extend network coverage by positioning antennas to facilitate communication with airborne devices, offering lower cost, higher throughput, and lower latency compared to satellite communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If satellite communication systems are used to provide connectivity outside terrestrial base station coverage, then coverage area is extended, but deployment cost increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces aircraft as intermediary relay nodes between terrestrial base stations and airborne devices. The aircraft equipped with communication antennas act as mobile relays, receiving signals from base stations and transmitting them to devices in flight, thereby extending coverage without requiring satellite infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replicates the terrestrial base station communication functionality on aircraft platforms. By equipping aircraft with similar communication equipment and protocols, the system creates mobile copies of ground infrastructure that can provide continuous coverage throughout the flight path
2Area of stationary object
If satellite communication systems are used to provide connectivity outside terrestrial base station coverage, then coverage area is extended, but throughput decreases and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
Aircraft serve as intermediate relay points that maintain higher data rates by staying within communication range of terrestrial base stations. The proximity to ground infrastructure allows for higher throughput compared to satellite links, while still providing coverage to airborne devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional ground-based coverage to three-dimensional aerial coverage by utilizing aircraft at various altitudes. This vertical dimension enables coverage extension without sacrificing horizontal data rates, as aircraft can maintain line-of-sight connections with ground stations
3Adaptability or versatility
If terrestrial antennas are positioned to communicate with airborne devices, then in-flight communication is enabled, but interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent directs communication resources locally toward airborne devices by positioning antennas with specific tilt angles and beam directions. This focused approach concentrates signal energy where needed while minimizing spread interference to other areas, enabling selective communication with aircraft without causing widespread interference
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and techniques for performing wireless communication. In some aspects, a method performed at a user equipment (UE) may include obtaining configuration information for communicating with one or more aircrafts. In some examples, the method can include generating a message based at least in part on the configuration information. In some cases, the method can include outputting the message for transmission to at least one aircraft of the one or more aircrafts.