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DISTRIBUTED AIRBORNE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

  • US 20160050011A1
  • Filed: 08/18/2014
  • Published: 02/18/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2014
  • Status: Abandoned Application
First Claim
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1. An airborne wireless communication system, comprising:

  • an airborne fleet comprising a plurality of airborne platforms;

    a distributed communication payload subdivided into constituent parts, wherein the parts are distributed and positioned on respective ones of the plurality of airborne platforms;

    the communication payload comprising air-to-user link equipment and air-to-air link equipment to provide communications between the airborne wireless communication system and end-users and between individual airborne platforms;

    the communication payload further comprising payload control electronics to control the air-to-user and air-to-air equipment and manage operation of the airborne wireless communication system, wherein constituent parts of the payload control electronics that manage a function of the entire airborne wireless communication system are distributed among at least two of the airborne platforms;

    the air-to-user link equipment further comprising an RF antenna, wherein the RF antenna is configured to produce an RF beam in a direction towards the ground, wherein the RF beam is characterized by its boundary; and

    a communication cell on the ground and in the airspace below the fleet bounded by the RF beam boundary, wherein the air-to-user communication equipment is configured to provide communication links between the airborne fleet and end-user devices within the communication cell.

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