Airborne cell tower selection system and method
First Claim
1. A system for controlling transmit power of a mobile node in air-to-ground communications to a fixed node, the system comprising:
- a first position determination unit configured to determine a position of the mobile node;
a second position determination unit configured to determine ground position information for a plurality of fixed nodes;
a receiver configured to receive a tower i.d.s from the plurality of fixed nodes;
a power amplifier configured to amplify the power of a communications signal; and
a power controller coupled to the power amplifier, the power amplifier configured to control a power level of the power amplifier, wherein power controller is configured to determine the power level according to the position of the mobile node, the ground position information of the plurality of fixed nodes, and the received tower i.d.s.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are a system and method for controlling transmit power of a mobile node in air-to-ground communications to a fixed node. Power is controlled by taking into consideration the position of the mobile node, the ground position of a plurality of fixed nodes, and the RF pattern of an antenna. The ground position of the plurality of fixed nodes is determined by at least using a tower i.d. broadcast by the fixed nodes. Preferably, a power level is selected that will excite the fewest number of the plurality of fixed nodes while still maintaining a stable connection with at least one of the fixed nodes. The system may also utilize a repeater to receive communication signals from one or more mobile phones. This repeater then pre-amplifies the signal with a gain control signal received from one of the plurality of fixed nodes. The repeater would then pass the pre-amplified signal to the power amplifier for further amplification as controlled by the power controller.
32 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for controlling transmit power of a mobile node in air-to-ground communications to a fixed node, the system comprising:
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a first position determination unit configured to determine a position of the mobile node; a second position determination unit configured to determine ground position information for a plurality of fixed nodes; a receiver configured to receive a tower i.d.s from the plurality of fixed nodes; a power amplifier configured to amplify the power of a communications signal; and a power controller coupled to the power amplifier, the power amplifier configured to control a power level of the power amplifier, wherein power controller is configured to determine the power level according to the position of the mobile node, the ground position information of the plurality of fixed nodes, and the received tower i.d.s. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for controlling transmit power of a mobile node in air-to-ground communications to a fixed node, the mobile node including an antenna coupled to a power amplifier, the antenna being configured to produce an RF pattern when energized by the power amplifier, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining a position of the mobile node; receiving one or more tower i.d.s from a plurality of fixed nodes; determining ground position information for the plurality of fixed nodes from which a corresponding tower i.d. was received; and calculating a power level of the power amplifier utilizing the position of the mobile node, and the ground position information of the plurality of fixed nodes from which a corresponding tower i.d. was received. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification