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Aircraft wireless communication system and method

  • US 7,146,147 B1
  • Filed: 06/20/2000
  • Issued: 12/05/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for providing wireless communication service to a passenger compartment of an aircraft, comprising in combination:

  • an external antenna located on an exterior portion of the aircraft, the external antenna operable to receive an incoming external signal from and transmit an outgoing external signal to a terrestrial base station;

    a cabin antenna located in the passenger compartment of the aircraft, wherein the cabin antenna is oriented such that a transmission pattern of the cabin antenna is substantially directed away from a cockpit area of the aircraft to minimize interference with a flight and control system of the aircraft, the flight and control system being substantially located in the cockpit area, and wherein the cabin antenna is additionally configured with a high front-to-back ratio to substantially minimize back lobe energy directed toward the cockpit area, thereby further reducing interference to the flight and control system of the aircraft; and

    a signal pathway linking the external antenna to the cabin antenna, wherein at least a portion of the signal pathway includes at least one low-energy transmission medium.

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