Hybrid Air-to-Air Wireless Network Relay System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aeronautical data link systems relying on VHF ground stations are costly due to the need for extensive infrastructure and maintenance, while air-to-air networking consumes more radio frequency spectrum for long-distance communications.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a hybrid communication system that uses mobile-to-mobile networks and wireless networks, where aircraft act as ad-hoc nodes to relay messages until they come within range of a wireless network, leveraging commercially available WiMAX and WRAN networks for cost-effective aeronautical communications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ground stations are installed across landmasses to provide line-of-sight air-to-ground data link communications, then communication coverage is improved, but system cost increases due to capital equipment and maintenance requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication coverageVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces aircraft as intermediary nodes in the communication network. Instead of relying solely on ground stations, messages are relayed through aircraft that are already in the airspace, reducing the need for extensive ground infrastructure while maintaining communication coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Aircraft serve multiple functions: they are both the communication endpoints and the relay nodes in the network. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate ground station infrastructure, reducing system cost while maintaining communication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If air-to-air networking is used to relay messages over long distances, then ground station dependency is reduced, but radio frequency spectrum consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground station independenceVSAvoidradio frequency spectrum consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system dynamically adapts its path based on real-time conditions. Aircraft can switch between direct air-to-air relaying and ground station communication depending on spectrum availability, distance, and network conditions, optimizing resource usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The communication path is segmented into multiple hops through intermediate aircraft rather than using a single long-distance transmission. This segmentation reduces the radio frequency spectrum consumption per transmission while achieving long-distance communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8190147B2Internetworking air-to-air network and wireless network

Publication Date: 2012.05.29 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Methods and systems of operating a communication system are provided. One method comprises establishing at least one communication link between a mobile-to-mobile communication network of mobile nodes and at least one route computing system via gateway node. The gateway node is one of the mobile nodes that is in communication with a wireless network. Moreover, the route computing system is in communication with a terrestrial network that is also in communication with the wireless network. The at least one established communication link is then used to communicate messages.