Aircraft communications system with hard handoff and associated methods
US8169946B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 13, 2008 |
| Grant date | May 1, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 1, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W88/04
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A communications system for an aircraft carrying at least some personnel having personal electronic devices (PEDs) for wireless data communications outside the aircraft includes a ground-based communications network comprising spaced apart base stations, and an access point in the aircraft for providing a WLAN for data communications with the PEDs. An air-to-ground transceiver in the aircraft cooperates with the access point for data communications with the ground-based communications network. First and second base stations define respective first and second adjacent coverage areas, and include respective first and second hard handoff controllers. The respective first and second hard handoff controllers implement a hard handoff of a data communications channel with the air-to-ground transceiver as the aircraft moves from the first coverage area to the second adjacent coverage area.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.