Channel allocation for a multi-device communication system

• US 9,374,828 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2003
• Issued: 06/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Pristas, James, Hughes, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Edouard, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): GENACK, MATTHEW W
• Application Number:
  US10/341,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20070253361A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,908 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310, 370328-329, 370/509
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/563 of the wireless resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/005 Moving wireless networks

Abstract

A channel allocation method for a communication network defines a definite purpose channel group that carries signals for definite purpose system devices, such as non-flight critical applications in an aircraft, and a public channel group that carries signals for user devices, such as wireless PDAs, phones and computers used by passengers. By pre-allocating discrete channel groups for different definite purpose system devices and by separating definite purpose channels (for definite purpose system devices) from public channels (for user devices), the invention allows wireless definite purpose system devices and wireless user devices to co-exist in the same operating environment without creating signal interference that could degrade the performance of the devices.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method for a non spaced-based network, comprising:

selecting at least one frequency band for transmitting data within a non spaced-based network;

allocating a plurality of definite purpose channels in a first portion of the at least one frequency band, wherein the plurality of definite purpose channels corresponds with at least one definite purpose function and wherein each definite purpose channel carries data associated with at least one definite purpose system device to be connected to the network and that carries out one definite purpose function;

allocating separately a second plurality of definite purpose channels in a second portion of the at least one frequency band; and

allocating at least one public channel for carrying data corresponding to at least one user device.

2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of definite purpose channels is divided into a plurality of definite purpose channel groups, wherein each definite purpose channel group corresponds with one definite purpose function.

3. The wireless communication method of claim 1, further comprising the step of forming a plurality of logical sub-channels within each definite purpose channel.

4. The wireless communication method of claim 3, wherein the logical sub-channels are formed via code division multiple access (CDMA).

5. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein said at least one public channel is defined to comply with at least one wireless communication standard used within a local area network communications.

6. The wireless communication method of claim 5, wherein said at least one wireless communication standard is at least one selected from the group consisting of 802.11 and Bluetooth.

7. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein allocating the plurality of define purpose channels is based on the at least one definite purpose system device, and allocating the at least one public channel is based on the at least one user device.

8. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the at least one definite purpose function includes a control for an aircraft system, an aircraft sensor, or both.

9. The wireless server of claim 1, wherein the definite purpose system device is separate and distinct from the at least one user device.

10. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the entire non space-based network is within an enclosed space.

11. The wireless communication method of claim 10, wherein the enclosed space is an aircraft.

12. The wireless communication method of claim 10, wherein the non space-based network is a local area network.

13. The wireless communication method of claim 10, including moving the enclosed space and the non space-based network together.

14. A wireless server for a non spaced-based wireless communication network, comprising:

a core acting as a computer server; and

an interface coupled to the core, wherein the interface allocates a plurality of definite purpose channels, wherein each definite purpose channel carries data associated with at least one definite purpose system device to be connected to the non space-based wireless communication network, wherein the interface provides a communication link between the definite purpose system device and the core and wherein the interface separately allocates at least one public channel to carry data associated with at least one user device according to a wireless communication standard.

15. The wireless server of claim 14, wherein the interface comprises a plurality of radios, each radio corresponding with one definite purpose channel to communicate with a corresponding radio on the definite purpose system device.

16. The wireless server of claim 15, further comprising a public channel radio corresponding with a public channel to communicate according to a wireless communication standard with a corresponding radio on a user device.

17. The wireless server of claim 14, wherein the interface allocates the plurality of definite purpose channels based on the at least one definite purpose system device, and the interface allocates the at least one public channel based on the at least one user device.

18. The wireless server of claim 14, wherein the definite purpose system device is separate and distinct from the at least one user device.

19. The wireless server of claim 14, wherein the core and the interface are both located within an enclosed space.

20. The wireless server of claim 19, wherein the enclosed space is an aircraft.

21. The wireless server of claim 14, wherein the communication link is a Wi-Fi communication link.

22. A wireless communication method for a network within an enclosed space, comprising:

selecting at least one frequency band for transmitting data within an enclosed space;

allocating a plurality of definite purpose channels in a first portion of the at least one frequency band, wherein the plurality of definite purpose channels corresponds with at least one definite purpose function and wherein each definite purpose channel carries data associated with at least one definite purpose system device to be connected to the network and that carries out one definite purpose function; and

allocating separately a second plurality of definite purpose channels in a second portion of the at least one frequency band.

23. The wireless communication method for claim 22, allocating at least one public channel for carrying data corresponding to at least one user device.

24. The wireless communication method for claim 23, wherein the at least one definite purpose system device and the at least one user device are both within the enclosed space.

25. The wireless communication method of claim 22, wherein the enclosed space is an aircraft.