Aircraft communications system with satellite selection controller and associated method
US8699404B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 30, 2012 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 18, 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 satellite-based communications network that includes a plurality of satellites, at least one access point in the aircraft for providing a wireless local area network (WLAN) for data communications with the PEDs, a plurality of satellite antennas in the aircraft, and a satellite transceiver. The satellite transceiver is coupled to the satellite antennas, and cooperates with the at least one access point for data communications with the satellite-based communications network to the PEDs. At least one selection controller is for selecting a satellite among the plurality of satellites, and for selecting a satellite antenna among the plurality of satellite antennas for the selected satellite.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.