Towed network communications subsystem for in flight use by towing aircraft
First Claim
1. A towed wireless network communications subsystem for in flight use by a towing aircraft comprising:
- an aerodynamic enclosure having a tether attachment and configured to be towed by the towing aircraft;
a directional antenna coupled to the aerodynamic enclosure and capable of forming a directional communications beam within a wireless communications network, wherein the antenna has a near full-field-of-regard; and
a communications device disposed in the aerodynamic enclosure, coupled to the directional antenna and configured to relay communications data between the towing aircraft and the wireless network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a towed wireless network communications subsystem for use in flight by a towing aircraft. The towed wireless network communications subsystem includes an aerodynamic enclosure having a tether attachment and configured to be towed by the towing aircraft. A directional antenna is disposed on the aerodynamic enclosure and is capable of forming one or more directional communications beams within a wireless network. A communications device is disposed in the aerodynamic enclosure and is coupled to the directional antenna(s). The communications device is configured to relay communications data between the towing aircraft and the wireless network.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A towed wireless network communications subsystem for in flight use by a towing aircraft comprising:
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an aerodynamic enclosure having a tether attachment and configured to be towed by the towing aircraft; a directional antenna coupled to the aerodynamic enclosure and capable of forming a directional communications beam within a wireless communications network, wherein the antenna has a near full-field-of-regard; and a communications device disposed in the aerodynamic enclosure, coupled to the directional antenna and configured to relay communications data between the towing aircraft and the wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 24, 25)
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10. A communications system providing near full-field-of-regard comprising:
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an aircraft; an aerodynamic enclosure comprising a wireless network communications device disposed therein, the wireless network communications device comprising a means for forming a directional communications link within a wireless network, wherein the means for forming the directional communications link provides a near full-field-of-regard; and a tether connecting the aerodynamic enclosure to the aircraft for towing the aerodynamic enclosure behind the aircraft during flight. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 26)
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14. A method of providing an aircraft with a near full-field-of-regard wireless network communications capability, the method comprising:
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providing a directional antenna disposed on an aerodynamic towable pod, the directional antenna being capable of forming a directional communications beam within a wireless network; and towing the aerodynamic towable pod behind the aircraft with a tether at a sufficient distance to provide the directional antenna with near full-field-of-regard; and forming a communications link between the directional antenna and a wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28)
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Specification