Aircraft communications system with network selection controller and associated method
US8699403B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 30, 2012 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2032 |
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, and a satellite-based communications network. An access point is 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. A satellite receiver in the aircraft cooperates with the access point for data communications with the satellite-based communications network to the PEDs. At least one network selection controller determines whether to send data communications to the PEDs through the air-to-ground transceiver or the satellite receiver based on a communications link metric.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.