System and method for air-to-air communications using network formed between aircraft
US8121593B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 7, 2008 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 26, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W84/18
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for aircraft communications is provided. The system includes a first wireless base station deployed in a first aircraft and configured to establish one or more wireless links, and a second wireless base station deployed in a second aircraft and configured to establish one or more wireless links. At least one ground-based wireless base station is configured to operatively communicate with the first wireless base station or the second wireless base station while the first aircraft and the second aircraft are in flight. During flight, the first and second wireless base stations establish one or more wireless links with each other to create a wireless network for air-to-air communication. When one of the first or second aircraft is out of range with the ground-based wireless base station and the other aircraft is in range with the ground-based wireless base station, the aircraft that is out of range can send a message to the ground-based wireless base station through the aircraft that is in range.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.