Network system having multiple subnets for a mobile platform

• US 20050281223A1
• Filed: 08/09/2005
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael A D'Annunzio
• Original Assignee: Michael A D'Annunzio
• Inventors: D'Annunzio, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US11/200,292
• Publication Number:
  US 20050281223A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18506 Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/4028 the transportation system being an aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/604 Address structures or formats
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5061 Pools of addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/325 in the network layer [OSI layer 3], e.g. X.25 H04L69/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/005 Moving wireless networks

Abstract

A method for assigning Internet Protocol addresses in a communications system for an aircraft according to the invention includes the steps of creating an air-to-ground network (AGN), a passenger services network (PSN), and a command and control network (CCN). A first range of addresses is assigned to a first group of devices that are associated with the AGN. A second range of addresses is assigned to a second group of devices that are associated with the PSN. A third range of addresses is assigned to a third group of devices that are associated with the CCN. IP aliasing is employed to allow at least one device from the first, second and third groups to be multi-homed.

Claims

1. A method for assigning Internet Protocol addresses in a communications system for a mobile platform, comprising:

creating a first communications network;

assigning a first range of addresses to devices that are associated with said first communications network;

defining a network number and a host number in said first range of addresses; and

dividing said host number into;

a mobile platform identification number for subnetting and;

a device number.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said first range of addresses comprises Class A IP addresses.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said mobile platform identification number includes 14-bits and said device number includes 10-bits.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising a command and control network on said mobile platform.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising assigning a second range of addresses to devices that are associated with said command and control network.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said second range of addresses includes a network number and a host number.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said host number includes a first group of bits that identify one of a seat electronic box device, a server element and a network element.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said host number includes a second group of bits that identify an area distribution box.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said host number includes a third group of bits that identify a column.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said host number includes a fourth group of bits that identify a seat electronic box.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said host number includes a fifth group of bits that identify a type of server that is to be addressed and a sixth group of bits that identify a server device.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said host number includes a seventh group of bits that identify a type of network that is to be addressed and an eighth group of bits that identify a network device.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising a passenger services network on said mobile platform.

14. A method for assigning Internet Protocol addresses in a communications system for a mobile platform, comprising:

creating a first network for linking the mobile platform to a remotely-located communications system, a passenger services network (PSN), and a command and control network (CCN);

assigning a first range of addresses to a first group of devices that are associated with said first network;

assigning a second range of addresses to a second group of devices that are associated with said PSN; and

assigning a third range of addresses to a third group of devices that are associated with said CCN.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising employing IP aliasing to allow at least one device from said first, second and third groups to be multi-homed.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

defining a network number and a host number in said first range of addresses; and

dividing said host number into;

a mobile platform identification number for subnetting; and

a device number.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said first range of addresses comprises Class A IP addresses, said mobile platform identification number includes 14-bits, and said device number comprises a 10-bit number.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said second range of addresses comprises Class B IP addresses and wherein said second range of addresses includes a network number and a host number.

19. A method for assigning Internet Protocol addresses in a communications system for a mobile platform, comprising:

creating a first network for linking the mobile platform in communication with a remote communication system;

creating a passenger services network (PSN);

assigning a first range of addresses to a first group of devices that are associated with said first network; and

assigning a second range of addresses to a second group of devices that are associated with said PSN.