Aircraft-based network for wireless subscriber stations

• US 6,788,935 B1
• Filed: 10/11/2000
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gogo LLC (GOGO Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Aircell LLC (GOGO Incorporated)
• Inventors: Stinehelfer, James E., McKenna, Daniel B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, LANA N
• Application Number:
  US09/686,923
• Time in Patent Office: 1,427 Days
• Field of Search: 455/431, 455/427, 455/422.1, 455/11.1, 455/517, 455/12.1
• US Class Current: 455/431
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/246 specially adapted for base stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/28 Adaptation for use in or on aircraft, missiles, satellites, or balloons
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/32 Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18506 Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/24 Cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/005 Moving wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/06 Airborne or Satellite Networks space-based or airborne stations H04B7/185
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

The aircraft-based network for wireless subscriber stations provides wireless telecommunication services in the aircraft for both the terrestrial (ground-based) and non-terrestrial regions via the use of an aircraft based network. In addition, the aircraft-based network for wireless subscriber stations implements data transmission capabilities for use in the aircraft to provide Flight Information Services, real time monitoring of aircraft operation, as well as enhanced data communication services for the passengers in the aircraft. These wireless communications can be among aircraft occupants as well as between aircraft occupants and other destinations. This data communications capability of the aircraft-based network for wireless subscriber stations can be used to link the aircraft and its occupants to a private data communication network as well as to provide access to public data communication networks, such as the Internet. Thus, the subscriber who is equipped with a wireless subscriber station can maintain a single set of identification data (MIN, ESN) regardless of their location in the multi-dimensional cellular mobile telecommunication system and independent of the mode of operation: ground-based cellular communications or non-terrestrial cellular communications.

Claims

1. A network for wireless subscriber stations for providing wireless communication services to a plurality of wireless subscriber stations, said network and said plurality of wireless subscriber stations being located in an aircraft, comprising:

first means for generating a radio frequency communication signal to communicate via voice-based communications with at least one of said plurality of wireless subscriber stations, comprising;

first cellular communication means for establishing at least one voice-based circuit switched cell site to communicate via voice-based communications with at least one of said plurality of wireless subscriber stations;

second means for generating said frequency communication signal to communicate via data-based communications with at least one of said plurality of wireless subscriber stations, comprising;

second cellular communication means for establishing at least one wireless LAN-based cell site to communicate via data-based communications with at least one of said plurality of wireless subscriber stations;

transceiver means for radio frequency communications between said aircraft and a transceiver located on the ground; and

means for interconnecting said first means for generating and said second means for generating with said transceiver means to establish communications between said plurality of wireless subscriber stations and said transceiver located on the ground.

2. The network for wireless subscriber stations of claim 1 wherein said means for interconnecting comprises:

local area network means connected to said first and said second cellular communication means and said transceiver means for exchanging data therebetween.

3. The network for wireless subscriber stations of claim 1 wherein said transceiver means comprises:

transmitter means for generating downlink radio frequency signals for transmission to said transceiver located on the ground;

receiver means for receiving uplink radio frequency signals received from said transceiver located on the ground; and

antenna means located on an external surface of said aircraft for exchanging said downlink and uplink radio frequency signals between said transmitter and said receiver means and said transceiver located on the ground.

4. The network for wireless subscriber stations of claim 1 wherein said means for interconnecting comprises:

local area network means connected to said first and said second means for generating a radio frequency communication signal and said transceiver means for exchanging data therebetween.

5. The network for wireless subscriber stations of claim 1 further comprising:

data acquisition means connected to said means for interconnecting for gathering data from a plurality of sensor based systems.

6. The network for wireless subscriber stations of claim 1 further comprising:

pilot interface means connected to said means for interconnecting for displaying data to a pilot of said aircraft.

7. The network for wireless subscriber stations of claim 1 further comprising:

power regulation means for managing an output radio frequency power level of signals generated by said plurality of wireless subscriber stations.

8. A method of operating a network for wireless subscriber stations for providing wireless communication services to a plurality of wireless subscriber stations, said network and said plurality of wireless subscriber stations being located in an aircraft, comprising the steps of:

generating a first radio frequency communication signal to communicate via voice-based communications with at least one of said plurality of wireless subscriber stations, comprising;

establishing at least one voice-based circuit switched cell site to communicate via voice-based communications with at least one of said plurality of wireless subscriber stations;

generating a second radio frequency communication signal to communicate via data-based communications with at least one of said plurality of wireless subscriber stations comprising;

establishing at least one wireless LAN-based cell site to communicate via data-based communications with at least one of said plurality of wireless subscriber stations;

establishing radio frequency communications between a transceiver located in said aircraft and a transceiver located on the ground; and

interconnecting said voice-based communications and said data-based communications with said transceiver located in said aircraft to establish communications between said plurality of wireless subscriber stations and said transceiver located on the ground.

9. The method of operating a network for wireless subscriber stations of claim 8 wherein said step of interconnecting comprises:

operating a local area network for exchanging data between said at least one voice-based circuit switched cell site, said at least one wireless LAN-based cell site, and said transceiver located in said aircraft.

10. The method of operating a network for wireless subscriber stations of claim 8 wherein said step of establishing radio frequency communications comprises:

generating downlink radio frequency signals for transmission to said transceiver located on the ground;

receiving uplink radio frequency signals received from said transceiver located on the ground; and

exchanging, via an antenna located on an external surface of said aircraft, said downlink and uplink radio frequency signals with said transceiver located on the ground.

11. The method of operating a network for wireless subscriber stations of claim 8 wherein said step of interconnecting comprises:

operating a local area network for exchanging data between said at least one voice-based circuit switched cell site, said at least one wireless LAN-based cell site, and said transceiver located in said aircraft.

12. The method of operating a network for wireless subscriber stations of claim 8 further comprising the step of:

acquiring data from a plurality of sensor based systems.

13. The method of operating a network for wireless subscriber stations of claim 8 further comprising the step of:

interconnecting a pilot interface to said transceiver located in said aircraft for displaying data to a pilot of said aircraft.

14. The method of operating a network for wireless subscriber stations of claim 8 further comprising the step of:

managing an output radio frequency power level of signals generated by said plurality of wireless subscriber stations.

15. A network for wireless subscriber stations for providing wireless communication services to a plurality of wireless subscriber stations, said network and said plurality of wireless subscriber stations being located in an aircraft, comprising:

means for establishing at least one voice-based circuit switched cell site to communicate via voice-based communications with at least one of said plurality of wireless subscriber stations;

means for establishing at least one wireless LAN-based cell site to communicate via data-based communications with at least one of said plurality of wireless subscriber stations;

transceiver means for radio frequency communications between said aircraft and a transceiver located on the ground; and

means for interconnecting said means for establishing at least one voice-based circuit switched cell site and said means for establishing at least one wireless LAN-based cell site with said transceiver means to establish communications between said plurality of wireless subscriber stations and said transceiver located on the ground.

16. The network for wireless subscriber stations of claim 15 wherein said means for interconnecting comprises:

local area network means connected to said means for establishing at least one voice-based circuit switched cell site and said means for establishing at least one wireless LAN-based cell site and said transceiver means for exchanging data therebetween.

17. The network for wireless subscriber stations of claim 15 further comprising;

means, connected to said means for interconnecting, for providing voice services to said voice-based communications with at least one of said plurality of wireless subscriber stations.

18. The network for wireless subscriber stations of claim 15 further comprising:

means, connected to said means for Interconnecting, for providing data file services to said data-based communications with at least one of said plurality of wireless subscriber stations.