US20090080368A1 - Method and apparatus for bi-directional data services and live television programming to mobile platforms - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for bi-directional data services and live television programming to mobile platforms Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090080368A1 US20090080368A1 US12/272,299 US27229908A US2009080368A1 US 20090080368 A1 US20090080368 A1 US 20090080368A1 US 27229908 A US27229908 A US 27229908A US 2009080368 A1 US2009080368 A1 US 2009080368A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- data content
- signals
- mobile
- antenna
- mobile platform
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
- H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
- H04B7/14—Relay systems
- H04B7/15—Active relay systems
- H04B7/185—Space-based or airborne stations; Stations for satellite systems
- H04B7/18502—Airborne stations
- H04B7/18506—Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service
- H04B7/18508—Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service with satellite system used as relay, i.e. aeronautical mobile satellite service
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/21—Server components or server architectures
- H04N21/214—Specialised server platform, e.g. server located in an airplane, hotel, hospital
- H04N21/2146—Specialised server platform, e.g. server located in an airplane, hotel, hospital located in mass transportation means, e.g. aircraft, train or bus
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/21—Server components or server architectures
- H04N21/218—Source of audio or video content, e.g. local disk arrays
- H04N21/2187—Live feed
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
- H04N21/254—Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server
- H04N21/2543—Billing, e.g. for subscription services
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
- H04N21/4126—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client
- H04N21/61—Network physical structure; Signal processing
- H04N21/6106—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the downstream path of the transmission network
- H04N21/6143—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the downstream path of the transmission network involving transmission via a satellite
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/14—Systems for two-way working
- H04N7/141—Systems for two-way working between two video terminals, e.g. videophone
- H04N7/147—Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/20—Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite
Definitions
- This disclosure relates to worldwide systems for supplying live television programming and bi-directional data services to mobile platforms, such as aircraft, using satellite communication.
- broadcast television (TV) services are available to terrestrial users via satellite links.
- Such services include commercial Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) services (such as DirecTV® and EchoStar®) and custom video, such as rebroadcast video, over private Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) or Broadcast Satellite Services (BSS) satellites.
- DBS Direct Broadcast Satellite
- FSS Fixed Satellite Services
- BSS Broadcast Satellite Services
- the data services which can be provided via satellite link include all conventional Internet services (e.g., email, web browsing, NetMeeting, etc.), as well as virtual private networks (VPNs) for corporate and government customers.
- VPNs virtual private networks
- Certain services currently available provide a limited subset of the above described services.
- One such service provides a narrow-bandwidth Internet connection to users on a mobile platform.
- Another service provides either TV broadcast services from available direct broadcast signals (i.e., EchoStar® and DirectTV®) or provides a custom TV broadcast signal through dedicated satellite links (i.e., Airshow®).
- direct broadcast signals i.e., EchoStar® and DirectTV®
- Airshow® dedicated satellite links
- NATS based solutions i.e., GTE Airfone®, AT&T Claircom
- GTE Airfone® familiar to domestic airline travelers who use seat back-mounted telephones
- These systems also suffer from the additional problem that connectivity is only available over land.
- One other service that has received some attention is a service that provides pre-stored world-wide-web content to users on a mobile platform.
- This service is anticipated to incorporate a server located on a mobile platform to provide its stored content to users on the mobile platform through a simple touchscreen interface.
- the content located on the server would be updated once every few weeks while the mobile platform is in an inactive mode, such as when an aircraft is parked at an airport gate or a ship is docked at a port.
- the update of the data on the mobile platform would be accomplished through the loading of CDROMS or swapping of hard drives on the server.
- each satellite includes a plurality of independent transponders, such that each mobile platform can communicate with an assigned transponder to permit bi-directional data communications by each passenger and viewing by each passenger of selected live TV programming.
- the present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for providing television and data services to mobile platforms, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
- the system of the present disclosure makes use of a ground based segment for receiving video and data content and transmitting the content using radio frequency signals in accordance therewith via a ground based antenna to a space segment.
- the space segment includes a satellite incorporating at least one transponder, and more preferably a plurality of independent transponders, which receives the radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted from the antenna of the ground segment and relays these signals to at least one mobile system, and more typically to a large plurality of mobile systems, using the satellite-based transponders.
- RF radio frequency
- Each mobile system is located on a mobile platform (e.g., aircraft, ship, etc.) and receives the RF signals from at least one of the satellite transponders and distributes the transponded video and data content to individual users in accordance with selections made by the users. Thus, each user only receives the video programming and/or data content that he/she specifically selected or requested.
- a mobile platform e.g., aircraft, ship, etc.
- the ground-based segment includes at least one dedicated link to an Internet service provider.
- One or more dedicated links may also be provided to various private/corporate Intranet accounts.
- a content management center in the ground segment is also in communication with a network operations center thereof for controlling transmission of the live television programming and other data to the space segment.
- All information sent from the ground station to the mobile platform is broadcast over the entire coverage region of the satellite transponder.
- Each satellite is located in a geostationary orbit (GSO) or in a non-geostationary (NGSO) orbit.
- GSO geostationary orbit
- NGSO non-geostationary
- Packet multiplexing is preferably used to provide multiple simultaneous access to a plurality of users on each mobile platform.
- the mobile system incorporates a suitable antenna system for effecting bi-directional communications with its assigned transponder.
- the antenna system comprises a steerable antenna carried by the mobile platform for receiving and transmitting RF signals to and from the satellites within the coverage region.
- the antenna system is coupled to a receiver which decodes and de-modulates the received RF signals to produce digital video and audio, as well as data content signals.
- These signals are preferably provided in the form of packets, and fed to a router which filters the packets such that only content selected/requested by users on the mobile platform is distributed to the users.
- users are defined as passengers, cabin crew, cockpit crew, maintenance crew, and non-human entities such as unattended data devices.
- a distribution system routes the data content directly to the proper users at access stations associated independently with each user, or to designated components (such as overhead monitors) located throughout the mobile platform.
- each user or occupant receives only the specific data content (i.e., either data or TV programming) that he/she has requested, or the data content can simply be provided to all passengers on the mobile platform.
- the method and apparatus of the present disclosure thus provides the ability to conduct bi-directional data communications between a plurality of independent mobile platforms, where each user on each mobile platform is able to independently request and obtain Internet data or other forms of data in real time.
- the present disclosure further enables the users to independently request and view selected channels of live TV programming.
- FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram drawing illustrating the three major components of the system of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the mobile system carried on each mobile platform.
- FIG. 1 there is shown a system 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure for providing data content to and from a plurality of moving platforms 12 a - 12 f in one or more distinct coverage regions 14 a and 14 b .
- the system 10 generally comprises a ground segment 16 , a plurality of satellites 18 a - 18 f forming a space segment 17 , and a mobile system 20 disposed on each moving platform 12 .
- the moving platforms could comprise aircraft, cruise ships or any other moving vehicle.
- the illustration of the moving platforms 18 as aircraft in the figures herein, and the reference to the mobile platforms as aircraft throughout the following description should not be construed as limiting the applicability of the system 10 to only aircraft.
- the space segment 17 may include any number of satellites 18 in each coverage region 14 a and 14 b needed to provide coverage for each region. Satellites 18 a , 18 b , 18 d and 18 e are preferably Ku or Ka-band satellites. Satellites 18 c and 18 f are Broadcast Satellite Services (BSS) satellites. Each of the satellites 18 are further located in a geostationary orbit (GSO) or a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO). Examples of possible NGSO orbits that could be used with this disclosure include low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO) and highly elliptical orbit (HEO). Each of the satellites 18 includes at least one radio frequency (RF) transponder, and more preferably a plurality of RF transponders.
- RF radio frequency
- satellite 18 a is illustrated having four transponders 18 a 1 - 18 a 4 . It will be appreciated that each other satellite 18 illustrated could have a greater or lesser plurality of RF transponders as required to handle the anticipated number of mobile platforms 12 operating in the coverage area.
- the transponders provide “bent-pipe” communications between the aircraft 12 and the ground segment 16 .
- the frequency bands used for these communication links could comprise any radio frequency band from approximately 10 MHz to 100 GHz.
- the transponders preferably comprise Ku-band transponders in the frequency band designated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for fixed satellite services FSS or BSS satellites.
- FCC Federal Communications Commission
- ITU International Telecommunications Union
- each satellite 18 need not include a plurality of identical types of transponders
- each transponder may operate at a different frequency.
- Each of the transponders 18 a 1 - 18 a 4 further include wide geographic coverage, high effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) and high gain/noise temperature (G/T).
- EIRP effective isotropic radiated power
- G/T gain/noise temperature
- the ground segment 16 includes a ground station 22 in bi-directional communication with a content center 24 and a network operations center (NOC) 26 .
- a second ground station 22 a located in the second coverage area 14 b may be used if more than one distinct coverage area is required for the service.
- ground station 22 a would also be in bi-directional communication with the NOC 26 via a terrestrial ground link or any other suitable means for establishing a communication link with the NOC 26 .
- the ground station 22 a would also be in bi-directional communication with a content center 24 a .
- the system 10 will be described with respect to the operations occurring in coverage region 14 a . However, it will be understood that identical operations relative to the satellites 18 d - 18 f occur in coverage region 14 b . It will also be understood that the disclosure may be scaled to any number of coverage regions 14 in the manner just described.
- the ground station 22 comprises an antenna and associated antenna control electronics needed for transmitting data content to the satellites 18 a and 18 b .
- the antenna of the ground station 22 may also be used to receive data content transponded by the transponders 18 a 1 - 18 a 4 originating from each mobile system 20 of each aircraft 12 within the coverage region 14 a .
- the ground station 22 may be located anywhere within the coverage region 14 a .
- ground station 22 a if incorporated, can be located anywhere within the second coverage area 14 b.
- the content center 24 is in communication with a variety of external data content providers and controls the transmission of video and data information received by it to the ground station 22 .
- the content center 24 is in contact with an Internet service provider (ISP) 30 , a video content source 32 and a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 34 .
- ISP Internet service provider
- PSTN public switched telephone network
- the content center 24 can also communicate with one or more virtual private networks (VPNs) 36 .
- the ISP 30 provides Internet access to each of the occupants of each aircraft 12 .
- the video content source 32 provides live television programming, for example, Cable News Network® (CNN) and ESPN®.
- the NOC 24 performs traditional network management, user authentication, accounting, customer service and billing tasks.
- the content center 24 a associated with the ground station 22 a in the second coverage region 14 b would also preferably be in communication with an ISP 38 , a video content provider 40 , a PSTN 42 , and optionally a VPN 44 .
- An optional air telephone system 28 may also be included as an alternative to the satellite return link.
- Each mobile system 20 includes a data content management system in the form of a router/server 50 (hereinafter “server”) which is in communication with a communications subsystem 52 , a control unit and display system 54 , and a distribution system in the form of a local area network (LAN) 56 .
- server 50 can also be configured for operation in connection with a National Air Telephone System (NATS) 58 , a crew information services system 60 and/or an in-flight entertainment system (IFE) 62 .
- NTS National Air Telephone System
- IFE in-flight entertainment system
- the communications subsystem 52 includes a transmitter subsystem 64 and a receiver subsystem 66 .
- the transmitter subsystem 64 includes an encoder 68 , a modulator 70 and an Up-converter 72 for encoding, modulating and up-converting data content signals from the server 50 to a transmit antenna 74 .
- the receiver subsystem 66 includes a decoder 76 , a demodulator 78 and a down-converter 80 for decoding, demodulating and down-converting signals received by the receive antenna 82 into baseband video and audio signals, as well as data signals.
- receiver subsystem 66 While only one receiver subsystem 66 is shown, it will be appreciated that preferably a plurality of receiver subsystems 66 will typically be included to enable simultaneous reception of RF signals from a plurality of RF transponders. If a plurality of receiver subsystems 66 are shown, then a corresponding plurality of components 76 - 80 will also be required.
- a system controller 84 is used to control all subsystems of the mobile system 20 .
- the system controller 84 provides signals to an antenna controller 86 which is used to electronically steer the receive antenna 82 to maintain the receive antenna pointed at a particular one of the satellites 18 , which will hereinafter be referred to as the “target” satellite.
- the transmit antenna 74 is slaved to the receive antenna 82 such that it also tracks the target satellite 18 . It will be appreciated that some types of mobile antennas may transmit and receive from the same aperture. In this case the transmit antenna 74 and the receive antenna 82 are combined into a single antenna.
- the local area network (LAN) 56 is used to interface the server 50 to a plurality of access stations 88 associated with each seat location on board the aircraft 12 a .
- Each access station 88 can be used to interface the server 50 directly with a user's laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA) or other personal computing device of the user.
- PDA personal digital assistant
- the access stations 88 could also each comprise a seat back mounted computer/display.
- the LAN 56 enables bi-directional communication of data between the user's computing device and the server 50 such that each user is able to request a desired channel of television programming, access a desired website, access his/her email, or perform a wide variety of other tasks independently of the other users on board the aircraft 12 .
- the receive and transmit antennas 82 and 74 may comprise any form of steerable antenna.
- these antennas comprise electronically scanned, phased array antennas.
- Phased array antennas are especially well suited for aviation applications where aerodynamic drag is important considerations.
- One particular form of electronically scanned, phased array antenna suitable for use with the present disclosure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,886,671, assigned to The Boeing Co.
- the data content is preferably formatted into Internet protocol (IP) packets before being transmitted by either the ground station 22 , or from the transmit antenna 74 of each mobile system 20 .
- IP Internet protocol
- a transmission of data content in the form of IP packets from the ground station 22 will be referred to as a “forward link” transmission.
- IP packet multiplexing is also preferably employed such that data content can be provided simultaneously to each of the aircraft 12 operating within the coverage region 14 a using unicast, multicast and broadcast transmissions.
- the IP data content packets received by each of the transponders 18 a 1 - 18 a 4 are then transponded by the transponders to each aircraft 12 operating within the coverage region 14 a . While multiple satellites 18 are illustrated over coverage region 14 a , it will be appreciated that at the present time, a single satellite is capable of providing coverage to an area encompassing the entire continental United States. Thus, depending upon the geographic size of the coverage region and the mobile platform traffic anticipated within the region, it is possible that only a single satellite incorporating a single transponder may be needed to provide coverage for the entire region. Other distinct coverage regions besides the continental United States include Europe, South/Central America, East Asia, Middle East, North Atlantic, etc. It is anticipated that in service regions larger than the continental United States, that a plurality of satellites 18 each incorporating one or more transponders may be required to provide complete coverage of the region.
- the receive antenna 82 and transmit antenna 74 are each preferably disposed on the top of the fuselage of their associated aircraft 18 .
- the receive antenna 74 of each aircraft receives the entire RF transmission of encoded RF signals representing the IP data content packets from at least one of the transponders 18 a 1 - 18 a 4 .
- the receive antenna 82 receives horizontally polarized (HP) and vertically polarized (VP) signals which are input to at least one of the receivers 66 . If more than one receiver 66 is incorporated, then one will be designated for use with a particular transponder 18 a 1 - 18 a 4 carried by the target satellite 18 to which it is pointed.
- the receiver 66 decodes, demodulates and down-converts the encoded RF signals to produce video and audio signals, as well as data signals, that are input to the server 50 .
- the server operates to filter off and discard any data content not intended for users on the aircraft 18 and then forwards the remaining data content via the LAN 56 to the appropriate access stations 88 . In this manner, each user receives only that portion of the programming or other information previously requested by the user. Accordingly, each user is free to request and receive desired channels of programming, access email, access the Internet and perform other data transfer operations independently of all other users on the aircraft 12 a.
- the system 10 is also capable of receiving DBS transmissions of live television programming (e.g., news, sports, weather, entertainment, etc.).
- DBS service providers include DirecTV® and Echostar®.
- DBS transmissions occur in a frequency band designated for broadcast satellite services (BSS) and are typically circularly polarized in North America. Therefore, a linear polarization converter may be optionally added to receive antenna 82 for receiving broadcast satellite services in North America.
- the FSS frequency band that carries the data services and the BSS frequency band that carries DBS transmissions are adjacent to each other in the Ku-band.
- a single Ku-band receive antenna can be used to receive either DBS transmissions from DBS satellites 18 c and 18 f in the BSS band or data services in the FSS band from one of the FSS satellites 18 a or 18 b , or both simultaneously using the same receive antenna 82 . Simultaneous reception from multiple satellites 18 is accomplished using a multi-beam receive antenna 82 or by using a single beam receive antenna 82 with satellites co-located in the same geostationary orbit slot.
- Rebroadcast television or customized video services are received and processed by the mobile system 20 in exactly the same way.
- Rebroadcast or customized video content is obtained from the video content source 32 and transmitted via the ground station 22 to the FSS satellites 18 a and 18 b .
- the video content is appropriately encoded for transmission by the content center 24 before being broadcast by the ground station 22 .
- Some customization of the rebroadcast content may occur on the server 50 ( FIG. 2 ) of the mobile system 20 to tailor advertisements and other information content to a particular market or interest of the users on the aircraft 12 .
- the bulk of data content provided to the users on each aircraft 12 is provided by using a private portal data content.
- This is implemented as a set of HTML pages housed on the server 50 of each mobile system 20 .
- the content is kept fresh by periodically sending updated portions from a ground-based server located in content center 24 , and in accordance with a scheduling function controlled by the NOC 26 of the ground segment 16 .
- the server 50 can readily be configured to accept user log-on information to support authentication and authorization of users and to keep track of user and network accounting information to support a billing system.
- the authorization and accounting systems can be configured to communicate with the ground segment 16 to transfer accumulated data at convenient intervals to the NOC 26 .
- the system 10 of the present disclosure also provides direct Internet connectivity via satellite links for a variety of purposes, such as when a user on board the aircraft 12 desires to obtain data content that is not cached on server 50 , or as an avenue for content sources to provide fresh content for the private portals.
- the server may be used to cache the most frequently requested web pages as well as to host a domain name system (DMS) look-up table of the most frequently accessed domains.
- DMS look-up table is preferably maintained by the content center 24 and is periodically updated on the mobile system 20 .
- Refreshing of the cached content of the portal may be accomplished by in-flight, periodic “pushed” cache refresh or at the gate of an airport terminal using any form of wired or wireless connection to the aircraft 18 , or via a manual cache refresh by a crew member of the aircraft 12 carrying on board a CD ROM and inserting it into the cache server.
- the disclosure 10 implements the in-flight periodic, pushed cache refresh updates over the satellite links. Preferably, refreshing of the cache content occurs during periods of low demand on the satellite links.
- the optional air telephone system 28 can also be employed with the system 10 when line-of-sight links to the ground segments 16 are established to provide the physical infrastructure.
- an optional implementation incorporating an air telephone systems can be used for low data rate return links (2.4 kbps to 9.6 kbps). It will be recognized that other regions, such as Europe and Asia, have similar air telephone systems that communicate with aircraft using terrestrial cellular communications links. Air telephone systems (e.g., NATS in North America) were designed for carrying telephony traffic, but have been adapted to pass single user per call, point to point analog modem data.
- the aggregate return link traffic from the mobile system 20 is combined in server/router 50 , a switch or a PBX (not shown) and then coupled into the air telephone return link via an analog modem or directly via a digital interface (e.g., CEPT-E1).
- Expanded capacity can be provided by establishing multiple simultaneous connections from the router/switch into the air telephone system.
- Multi-link, point to point (PPP) data encapsulation can be used to accomplish the splitting/recombining of the data streams between the airborne and NOC routers.
- PPP point to point
- the tolerance to a single connection failure is increased with multiple connections through the air telephone system.
- the hand-over between separate air telephone system antenna towers is managed by the air telephone system and the connection between the respective air and ground routers is automatically maintained as the mobile platform traverses multiple coverage areas.
- a significant anticipated application of the present disclosure is in connection with aircraft that fly extended periods of time over water and remote regions (including polar regions) of the Earth where there is little or no current satellite transponder coverage.
- the present disclosure can operate with GSO satellites launched in the future into orbit over oceans, or a new constellation of NGSO satellites to provide full Earth coverage (including the poles).
- a transmission of data content from the aircraft 12 a to the ground station 22 will be described.
- This transmission is termed a “return link” transmission.
- the antenna controller 86 causes the transmit antenna 74 to maintain the antenna beam thereof pointed at the target satellite 18 a .
- the channels used for communication from each mobile system 20 back to the ground station 22 represent point-to-point links that are individually assigned and dynamically managed by the NOC 26 of the ground segment 16 .
- the preferred multiple access methods for the return link are code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency divisional multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA) or combinations thereof.
- multiple mobile systems 20 may be assigned to a single transponder 18 a 1 - 18 a 4 . Where a greater number of aircraft 12 incorporating a mobile system 20 are operated within the coverage region 14 a , then the number of transponders required increases accordingly.
- the receive antenna 82 may implement a closed-loop tracking system for pointing the antenna beam and for adjusting the polarization of the antennas based on receive signal amplitude.
- the transmit antenna 74 is slaved to the point direction and polarization of the receive antenna 82 .
- An alternative implementation could use an open-loop tracking method with the pointing direction and polarization determined by knowledge of mobile platform position and attitude using an on-board inertial reference unit (IRU) and knowledge of the location of the satellites 18 .
- IRU on-board inertial reference unit
- Encoded RF signals are transmitted from the transmit antenna 74 of the mobile system 20 of a given aircraft 12 to an assigned one of the transponders 18 a 1 - 18 a 4 , and transponded by the designated transponder to the ground station 22 .
- the ground station 22 communicates with the content center 24 to determine and provide the appropriate data being requested by the user (e.g., content from the world wide web, email or information from the user's VPN).
- the aperture size of the receive antenna 82 is typically smaller than conventional “very small aperture terminal” (VSAT) antennas. Accordingly, the beam from the receive antenna 82 may encompass adjacent satellites along the geosynchronous arc. This can result in interference from satellites other than the target satellite being received by a particular mobile system 20 .
- the system 10 preferably uses a lower than normal forward link data rate that overcomes the interference from adjacent satellites.
- the system 10 operates at a preferred forward link data rate of at least about 5 Mbps per transponder, using a typical FSS Ku-band transponder (e.g., Telstar-6) and an antenna having an active aperture of about 17 inches by 24 inches (43.18 cm by 60.96 cm).
- a typical Ku-band transponder usually operates at a data rate of approximately 30 Mbps using conventional VSAT antennas.
- the forward link signal typically occupies less than 8 MHz out of a total transponder width of 27 MHz.
- FCC regulations presently regulate the maximum effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) spectral density from a transponder to prevent interference between closely spaced satellites.
- EIRP effective isotropic radiated power
- spread spectrum modulation techniques are employed in modulator 70 to “spread” the forward link signal over the transponder bandwidth using well known signal spreading techniques. This reduces the spectral density of the transponded signal, thus eliminating the possibility of interference between two or more mobile systems 20 .
- the transmit antenna 74 meets regulatory requirements that prevent interference to satellites adjacent to the target satellite 18 .
- the transmit antennas used in most mobile applications also tend to be smaller than conventional VSAT antennas (typically reflector antennas that are 1 meter in diameter).
- Mobile transmit antennas used for aeronautical applications should have low aerodynamic drag, be lightweight, have low power consumption and be of relatively small size.
- the antenna aperture of the transmit antenna 74 is preferably smaller than a conventional VSAT antenna.
- VSAT antennas are sized to create an antenna beam that is narrow enough to illuminate a single FSS satellite along the geosynchronous arc. This is important because FSS satellites are spaced at 2° intervals along the geosynchronous arc.
- the smaller than normal antenna aperture of the transmit antenna 74 used with the present disclosure may create an antenna beam that is wide enough to irradiate satellites that are adjacent to the target satellite along the geosynchronous arc, which could create an interference problem.
- This potential problem is eliminated by employing spread spectrum modulation techniques on the return link transmissions as well.
- the transmitted signal from the transmit antenna 74 is spread in frequency to produce an interfering signal at the adjacent satellite that is below the threshold EIRP spectral density at which the signal would interfere. It will be appreciated, however, that spread spectrum modulation techniques may not be required if the angular spacing between satellites within a given coverage region is such that interference will not be a problem.
- the system 10 of the present disclosure provides a means for providing bi-directional data content transfer to a large plurality of independent users on-board a large number of mobile platforms.
- the system 10 further enables data content such as rebroadcast video services, broadcast video services and other forms of data content to be provided in real time to a large plurality of mobile platforms such as aircraft, ships or virtually any other form of mobile platform carrying individuals who desire to access ground-based data content sources or to view live television and programming.
- the system further allows multiple mobile platforms within a given coverage region to communicate with one or a plurality of transponders within the given coverage region and to transmit data content via a satellite back to a ground-based control system.
- the system 10 of the present disclosure is scalable to accommodate large or small pluralities of mobile platforms, and also scalable over many satellites and coverage regions.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
- Radio Relay Systems (AREA)
- Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
A system for bi-directional data content transfer between a plurality of mobile platforms, such as aircraft or cruise ships, and a ground-based control segment. The system includes the ground-based control segment, a space segment and a mobile system disposed on each mobile platform. The ground-based control segment includes an antenna which is used to transmit encoded RF signals representative of data content to the space segment. The space segment includes a plurality of satellite transponders, with one of the transponders being designated by the ground-based control segment to transpond the encoded RF signals to the mobile system. The mobile system includes steerable receive and transmit antennas. The receive antenna receives the encoded RF signals from the satellite transponder, which are thereafter decoded, demodulated, D/A converted by a communications subsystem and transmitted to a server. The server filters off that data content not requested by any occupants on the mobile system. A local area network (LAN) receives the remaining data content and provides same to individual users on the mobile platform in accordance with previously submitted programming requests or data input by the users at access stations associated independently with each user. The transmit antenna is used to transmit data content from laptop computers, PDAs or other user electronic devices coupled to the access stations back to the designated satellite transponder. The satellite transponder then transponds the data back to the antenna of the ground-based control segment.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/639,912 filed on Aug. 16, 2000. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.
- This disclosure relates to worldwide systems for supplying live television programming and bi-directional data services to mobile platforms, such as aircraft, using satellite communication.
- Broadband data and video services, on which our society and economy have grown to depend, have heretofore generally not been readily available to users on board mobile platforms such as aircraft, ships, trains, automobiles, etc. While the technology exists to deliver such services to all forms of mobile platforms, past solutions have been generally quite expensive, low data rate and/or available to only very limited markets of government/military users and some high-end maritime markets (i.e., cruise ships).
- At present, a wide variety of broadcast television (TV) services are available to terrestrial users via satellite links. Such services include commercial Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) services (such as DirecTV® and EchoStar®) and custom video, such as rebroadcast video, over private Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) or Broadcast Satellite Services (BSS) satellites. The data services which can be provided via satellite link include all conventional Internet services (e.g., email, web browsing, NetMeeting, etc.), as well as virtual private networks (VPNs) for corporate and government customers.
- Previously developed systems which have attempted to provide live TV and data services to mobile platforms have done so with only limited success. One major obstacle has been the high cost of access to such broadband data and video services. Another problem is the limited capacity of previously developed systems, which is insufficient for mobile platforms carrying dozens, or even hundreds, of individuals who each may be simultaneously requesting different channels of programming or different data services. Furthermore, presently existing systems are generally not readily scalable to address the demands of the traveling public.
- Certain services currently available provide a limited subset of the above described services. One such service provides a narrow-bandwidth Internet connection to users on a mobile platform. Another service provides either TV broadcast services from available direct broadcast signals (i.e., EchoStar® and DirectTV®) or provides a custom TV broadcast signal through dedicated satellite links (i.e., Airshow®). However, no system or method presently exists for providing high speed (i.e., greater than 64 Kbps) data networking services to groups of users on mobile or remote platforms, let alone for providing such high-speed networking services together with video services.
- There are several operational systems that provide limited Internet data services on commercial airlines and cruise ships. These systems are very limited in their link capability (primarily use communication links developed for telephony) and the service is very expensive (greater than about $1.00 per minute for voice connection). For these reasons, and in view of adherent limitations on the capacity of such systems, such systems have met with limited commercial success and acceptance.
- Current operational systems generally use Inmarsat satellite communication links or terrestrial wireless communication links (i.e., the National Air Telephone System “NATS”) to achieve 2-way connectivity to mobile platforms. These connection forms have several drawbacks:
-
- 1) a limited connection bandwidth (typically less than 64 Kbps);
- 2) limited overall system capacity (due to limited frequency spectrum); and
- 3) high expense.
- Inmarsat operates in the L-band frequency spectrum, where there is very little bandwidth and capacity available for providing broadband services to the traveling public. NATS based solutions (i.e., GTE Airfone®, AT&T Claircom), familiar to domestic airline travelers who use seat back-mounted telephones, also provide very limited capacity because of operation at L-band. These systems also suffer from the additional problem that connectivity is only available over land.
- Current mobile platform connection methods are inherently narrow band and restrict the flow of data to the point where common networking tasks are impossible. Typically, this connectivity is achieved through the use of a standard computer telephone modem between the user's computer and the air-ground or ship-shore telephony system. In this scenario, each user gets exclusive use of a full communications channel for the duration of his/her networking session and effectively prevents others from using that portion of the telephony system.
- One other service that has received some attention is a service that provides pre-stored world-wide-web content to users on a mobile platform. This service is anticipated to incorporate a server located on a mobile platform to provide its stored content to users on the mobile platform through a simple touchscreen interface. The content located on the server would be updated once every few weeks while the mobile platform is in an inactive mode, such as when an aircraft is parked at an airport gate or a ship is docked at a port. The update of the data on the mobile platform would be accomplished through the loading of CDROMS or swapping of hard drives on the server. Although the content stored on the mobile platform with this service can be varied, it will never be timely.
- In view of the foregoing, there is a significant need to provide a system and method for providing live television programming and bi-directional data communication to users onboard mobile platforms via one or more satellite links. More specifically, there is a need to provide Internet data communication, Direct Broadcast Satellite Services via BSS satellites, and rebroadcast video of live television programming via Ku or Ka-band satellites to a plurality of users onboard one or more mobile platforms, and in a manner which allows each user to request and receive Internet or other forms of real time data, as well specific live programming which he/she desires to view.
- There is also a need to provide a system and method for enabling hundreds or more mobile platforms, such as aircraft, to communicate with a plurality of satellites, where each satellite includes a plurality of independent transponders, such that each mobile platform can communicate with an assigned transponder to permit bi-directional data communications by each passenger and viewing by each passenger of selected live TV programming.
- The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for providing television and data services to mobile platforms, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the system of the present disclosure makes use of a ground based segment for receiving video and data content and transmitting the content using radio frequency signals in accordance therewith via a ground based antenna to a space segment. The space segment includes a satellite incorporating at least one transponder, and more preferably a plurality of independent transponders, which receives the radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted from the antenna of the ground segment and relays these signals to at least one mobile system, and more typically to a large plurality of mobile systems, using the satellite-based transponders. Each mobile system is located on a mobile platform (e.g., aircraft, ship, etc.) and receives the RF signals from at least one of the satellite transponders and distributes the transponded video and data content to individual users in accordance with selections made by the users. Thus, each user only receives the video programming and/or data content that he/she specifically selected or requested.
- Optionally, but preferably, the ground-based segment includes at least one dedicated link to an Internet service provider. One or more dedicated links may also be provided to various private/corporate Intranet accounts. A content management center in the ground segment is also in communication with a network operations center thereof for controlling transmission of the live television programming and other data to the space segment.
- All information sent from the ground station to the mobile platform is broadcast over the entire coverage region of the satellite transponder. Each satellite is located in a geostationary orbit (GSO) or in a non-geostationary (NGSO) orbit. Packet multiplexing is preferably used to provide multiple simultaneous access to a plurality of users on each mobile platform.
- The mobile system incorporates a suitable antenna system for effecting bi-directional communications with its assigned transponder. In one preferred form, the antenna system comprises a steerable antenna carried by the mobile platform for receiving and transmitting RF signals to and from the satellites within the coverage region. The antenna system is coupled to a receiver which decodes and de-modulates the received RF signals to produce digital video and audio, as well as data content signals. These signals are preferably provided in the form of packets, and fed to a router which filters the packets such that only content selected/requested by users on the mobile platform is distributed to the users. In this context users are defined as passengers, cabin crew, cockpit crew, maintenance crew, and non-human entities such as unattended data devices. A distribution system routes the data content directly to the proper users at access stations associated independently with each user, or to designated components (such as overhead monitors) located throughout the mobile platform. Thus, each user or occupant receives only the specific data content (i.e., either data or TV programming) that he/she has requested, or the data content can simply be provided to all passengers on the mobile platform.
- The method and apparatus of the present disclosure thus provides the ability to conduct bi-directional data communications between a plurality of independent mobile platforms, where each user on each mobile platform is able to independently request and obtain Internet data or other forms of data in real time. The present disclosure further enables the users to independently request and view selected channels of live TV programming.
- The various advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to one skilled in the art by reading the following specification and subjoined claims and by referencing the following drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram drawing illustrating the three major components of the system of the present disclosure; and -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the mobile system carried on each mobile platform. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , there is shown a system 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure for providing data content to and from a plurality of movingplatforms 12 a-12 f in one or moredistinct coverage regions 14 a and 14 b. The system 10 generally comprises aground segment 16, a plurality of satellites 18 a-18 f forming aspace segment 17, and amobile system 20 disposed on each movingplatform 12. The moving platforms could comprise aircraft, cruise ships or any other moving vehicle. Thus, the illustration of the moving platforms 18 as aircraft in the figures herein, and the reference to the mobile platforms as aircraft throughout the following description should not be construed as limiting the applicability of the system 10 to only aircraft. - The
space segment 17 may include any number of satellites 18 in eachcoverage region 14 a and 14 b needed to provide coverage for each region.Satellites Satellites example satellite 18 a is illustrated having fourtransponders 18 a 1-18 a 4. It will be appreciated that each other satellite 18 illustrated could have a greater or lesser plurality of RF transponders as required to handle the anticipated number ofmobile platforms 12 operating in the coverage area. The transponders provide “bent-pipe” communications between theaircraft 12 and theground segment 16. The frequency bands used for these communication links could comprise any radio frequency band from approximately 10 MHz to 100 GHz. The transponders preferably comprise Ku-band transponders in the frequency band designated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for fixed satellite services FSS or BSS satellites. Also, different types of transponders may be employed (i.e., each satellite 18 need not include a plurality of identical types of transponders) and each transponder may operate at a different frequency. Each of thetransponders 18 a 1-18 a 4 further include wide geographic coverage, high effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) and high gain/noise temperature (G/T). - With further reference to
FIG. 1 , theground segment 16 includes aground station 22 in bi-directional communication with acontent center 24 and a network operations center (NOC) 26. Asecond ground station 22 a located in the second coverage area 14 b may be used if more than one distinct coverage area is required for the service. In this instance,ground station 22 a would also be in bi-directional communication with theNOC 26 via a terrestrial ground link or any other suitable means for establishing a communication link with theNOC 26. Theground station 22 a would also be in bi-directional communication with acontent center 24 a. For the purpose of discussion, the system 10 will be described with respect to the operations occurring incoverage region 14 a. However, it will be understood that identical operations relative to thesatellites 18 d-18 f occur in coverage region 14 b. It will also be understood that the disclosure may be scaled to any number of coverage regions 14 in the manner just described. - The
ground station 22 comprises an antenna and associated antenna control electronics needed for transmitting data content to thesatellites ground station 22 may also be used to receive data content transponded by thetransponders 18 a 1-18 a 4 originating from eachmobile system 20 of eachaircraft 12 within thecoverage region 14 a. Theground station 22 may be located anywhere within thecoverage region 14 a. Similarly,ground station 22 a, if incorporated, can be located anywhere within the second coverage area 14 b. - The
content center 24 is in communication with a variety of external data content providers and controls the transmission of video and data information received by it to theground station 22. Preferably, thecontent center 24 is in contact with an Internet service provider (ISP) 30, avideo content source 32 and a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 34. Optionally, thecontent center 24 can also communicate with one or more virtual private networks (VPNs) 36. TheISP 30 provides Internet access to each of the occupants of eachaircraft 12. Thevideo content source 32 provides live television programming, for example, Cable News Network® (CNN) and ESPN®. TheNOC 24 performs traditional network management, user authentication, accounting, customer service and billing tasks. Thecontent center 24 a associated with theground station 22 a in the second coverage region 14 b would also preferably be in communication with anISP 38, avideo content provider 40, aPSTN 42, and optionally aVPN 44. An optionalair telephone system 28 may also be included as an alternative to the satellite return link. - Referring now to
FIG. 2 , themobile system 20 disposed on each aircraft 18 will be described in greater detail. Eachmobile system 20 includes a data content management system in the form of a router/server 50 (hereinafter “server”) which is in communication with acommunications subsystem 52, a control unit anddisplay system 54, and a distribution system in the form of a local area network (LAN) 56. Optionally, theserver 50 can also be configured for operation in connection with a National Air Telephone System (NATS) 58, a crewinformation services system 60 and/or an in-flight entertainment system (IFE) 62. - The
communications subsystem 52 includes a transmitter subsystem 64 and a receiver subsystem 66. The transmitter subsystem 64 includes anencoder 68, a modulator 70 and an Up-converter 72 for encoding, modulating and up-converting data content signals from theserver 50 to a transmitantenna 74. The receiver subsystem 66 includes adecoder 76, ademodulator 78 and a down-converter 80 for decoding, demodulating and down-converting signals received by the receiveantenna 82 into baseband video and audio signals, as well as data signals. While only one receiver subsystem 66 is shown, it will be appreciated that preferably a plurality of receiver subsystems 66 will typically be included to enable simultaneous reception of RF signals from a plurality of RF transponders. If a plurality of receiver subsystems 66 are shown, then a corresponding plurality of components 76-80 will also be required. - The signals received by the receiver subsystem 66 are then input to the
server 50. Asystem controller 84 is used to control all subsystems of themobile system 20. Thesystem controller 84, in particular, provides signals to anantenna controller 86 which is used to electronically steer the receiveantenna 82 to maintain the receive antenna pointed at a particular one of the satellites 18, which will hereinafter be referred to as the “target” satellite. The transmitantenna 74 is slaved to the receiveantenna 82 such that it also tracks the target satellite 18. It will be appreciated that some types of mobile antennas may transmit and receive from the same aperture. In this case the transmitantenna 74 and the receiveantenna 82 are combined into a single antenna. - With further reference to
FIG. 2 , the local area network (LAN) 56 is used to interface theserver 50 to a plurality ofaccess stations 88 associated with each seat location on board theaircraft 12 a. Eachaccess station 88 can be used to interface theserver 50 directly with a user's laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA) or other personal computing device of the user. Theaccess stations 88 could also each comprise a seat back mounted computer/display. TheLAN 56 enables bi-directional communication of data between the user's computing device and theserver 50 such that each user is able to request a desired channel of television programming, access a desired website, access his/her email, or perform a wide variety of other tasks independently of the other users on board theaircraft 12. - The receive and transmit
antennas - Referring further to
FIG. 1 , in operation of the system 10, the data content is preferably formatted into Internet protocol (IP) packets before being transmitted by either theground station 22, or from the transmitantenna 74 of eachmobile system 20. For the purpose of discussion, a transmission of data content in the form of IP packets from theground station 22 will be referred to as a “forward link” transmission. IP packet multiplexing is also preferably employed such that data content can be provided simultaneously to each of theaircraft 12 operating within thecoverage region 14 a using unicast, multicast and broadcast transmissions. - The IP data content packets received by each of the
transponders 18 a 1-18 a 4 are then transponded by the transponders to eachaircraft 12 operating within thecoverage region 14 a. While multiple satellites 18 are illustrated overcoverage region 14 a, it will be appreciated that at the present time, a single satellite is capable of providing coverage to an area encompassing the entire continental United States. Thus, depending upon the geographic size of the coverage region and the mobile platform traffic anticipated within the region, it is possible that only a single satellite incorporating a single transponder may be needed to provide coverage for the entire region. Other distinct coverage regions besides the continental United States include Europe, South/Central America, East Asia, Middle East, North Atlantic, etc. It is anticipated that in service regions larger than the continental United States, that a plurality of satellites 18 each incorporating one or more transponders may be required to provide complete coverage of the region. - The receive
antenna 82 and transmitantenna 74 are each preferably disposed on the top of the fuselage of their associated aircraft 18. The receiveantenna 74 of each aircraft receives the entire RF transmission of encoded RF signals representing the IP data content packets from at least one of thetransponders 18 a 1-18 a 4. The receiveantenna 82 receives horizontally polarized (HP) and vertically polarized (VP) signals which are input to at least one of the receivers 66. If more than one receiver 66 is incorporated, then one will be designated for use with aparticular transponder 18 a 1-18 a 4 carried by the target satellite 18 to which it is pointed. The receiver 66 decodes, demodulates and down-converts the encoded RF signals to produce video and audio signals, as well as data signals, that are input to theserver 50. The server operates to filter off and discard any data content not intended for users on the aircraft 18 and then forwards the remaining data content via theLAN 56 to theappropriate access stations 88. In this manner, each user receives only that portion of the programming or other information previously requested by the user. Accordingly, each user is free to request and receive desired channels of programming, access email, access the Internet and perform other data transfer operations independently of all other users on theaircraft 12 a. - An advantage of the present disclosure is that the system 10 is also capable of receiving DBS transmissions of live television programming (e.g., news, sports, weather, entertainment, etc.). Examples of DBS service providers include DirecTV® and Echostar®. DBS transmissions occur in a frequency band designated for broadcast satellite services (BSS) and are typically circularly polarized in North America. Therefore, a linear polarization converter may be optionally added to receive
antenna 82 for receiving broadcast satellite services in North America. The FSS frequency band that carries the data services and the BSS frequency band that carries DBS transmissions are adjacent to each other in the Ku-band. In one optional embodiment of the system 10, a single Ku-band receive antenna can be used to receive either DBS transmissions fromDBS satellites FSS satellites antenna 82. Simultaneous reception from multiple satellites 18 is accomplished using a multi-beam receiveantenna 82 or by using a single beam receiveantenna 82 with satellites co-located in the same geostationary orbit slot. - Rebroadcast television or customized video services are received and processed by the
mobile system 20 in exactly the same way. Rebroadcast or customized video content is obtained from thevideo content source 32 and transmitted via theground station 22 to theFSS satellites content center 24 before being broadcast by theground station 22. Some customization of the rebroadcast content may occur on the server 50 (FIG. 2 ) of themobile system 20 to tailor advertisements and other information content to a particular market or interest of the users on theaircraft 12. - The bulk of data content provided to the users on each
aircraft 12 is provided by using a private portal data content. This is implemented as a set of HTML pages housed on theserver 50 of eachmobile system 20. The content is kept fresh by periodically sending updated portions from a ground-based server located incontent center 24, and in accordance with a scheduling function controlled by theNOC 26 of theground segment 16. Theserver 50 can readily be configured to accept user log-on information to support authentication and authorization of users and to keep track of user and network accounting information to support a billing system. The authorization and accounting systems can be configured to communicate with theground segment 16 to transfer accumulated data at convenient intervals to theNOC 26. - The system 10 of the present disclosure also provides direct Internet connectivity via satellite links for a variety of purposes, such as when a user on board the
aircraft 12 desires to obtain data content that is not cached onserver 50, or as an avenue for content sources to provide fresh content for the private portals. The server may be used to cache the most frequently requested web pages as well as to host a domain name system (DMS) look-up table of the most frequently accessed domains. The DMS look-up table is preferably maintained by thecontent center 24 and is periodically updated on themobile system 20. Refreshing of the cached content of the portal may be accomplished by in-flight, periodic “pushed” cache refresh or at the gate of an airport terminal using any form of wired or wireless connection to the aircraft 18, or via a manual cache refresh by a crew member of theaircraft 12 carrying on board a CD ROM and inserting it into the cache server. The disclosure 10 implements the in-flight periodic, pushed cache refresh updates over the satellite links. Preferably, refreshing of the cache content occurs during periods of low demand on the satellite links. - The optional
air telephone system 28 can also be employed with the system 10 when line-of-sight links to theground segments 16 are established to provide the physical infrastructure. For example, an optional implementation incorporating an air telephone systems can be used for low data rate return links (2.4 kbps to 9.6 kbps). It will be recognized that other regions, such as Europe and Asia, have similar air telephone systems that communicate with aircraft using terrestrial cellular communications links. Air telephone systems (e.g., NATS in North America) were designed for carrying telephony traffic, but have been adapted to pass single user per call, point to point analog modem data. With the present disclosure, the aggregate return link traffic from themobile system 20 is combined in server/router 50, a switch or a PBX (not shown) and then coupled into the air telephone return link via an analog modem or directly via a digital interface (e.g., CEPT-E1). Expanded capacity can be provided by establishing multiple simultaneous connections from the router/switch into the air telephone system. Multi-link, point to point (PPP) data encapsulation can be used to accomplish the splitting/recombining of the data streams between the airborne and NOC routers. In addition to expanded capacity, the tolerance to a single connection failure is increased with multiple connections through the air telephone system. The hand-over between separate air telephone system antenna towers is managed by the air telephone system and the connection between the respective air and ground routers is automatically maintained as the mobile platform traverses multiple coverage areas. - A significant anticipated application of the present disclosure is in connection with aircraft that fly extended periods of time over water and remote regions (including polar regions) of the Earth where there is little or no current satellite transponder coverage. The present disclosure can operate with GSO satellites launched in the future into orbit over oceans, or a new constellation of NGSO satellites to provide full Earth coverage (including the poles).
- Referring further to
FIG. 1 , a transmission of data content from theaircraft 12 a to theground station 22 will be described. This transmission is termed a “return link” transmission. Theantenna controller 86 causes the transmitantenna 74 to maintain the antenna beam thereof pointed at thetarget satellite 18 a. The channels used for communication from eachmobile system 20 back to theground station 22 represent point-to-point links that are individually assigned and dynamically managed by theNOC 26 of theground segment 16. For the system 10 to accommodate several hundred ormore aircraft 12, multiple aircraft will need to be assigned to each transponder carried by a given satellite 18. The preferred multiple access methods for the return link are code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency divisional multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA) or combinations thereof. Thus, multiplemobile systems 20 may be assigned to asingle transponder 18 a 1-18 a 4. Where a greater number ofaircraft 12 incorporating amobile system 20 are operated within thecoverage region 14 a, then the number of transponders required increases accordingly. - The receive
antenna 82 may implement a closed-loop tracking system for pointing the antenna beam and for adjusting the polarization of the antennas based on receive signal amplitude. The transmitantenna 74 is slaved to the point direction and polarization of the receiveantenna 82. An alternative implementation could use an open-loop tracking method with the pointing direction and polarization determined by knowledge of mobile platform position and attitude using an on-board inertial reference unit (IRU) and knowledge of the location of the satellites 18. - Encoded RF signals are transmitted from the transmit
antenna 74 of themobile system 20 of a givenaircraft 12 to an assigned one of thetransponders 18 a 1-18 a 4, and transponded by the designated transponder to theground station 22. Theground station 22 communicates with thecontent center 24 to determine and provide the appropriate data being requested by the user (e.g., content from the world wide web, email or information from the user's VPN). - An additional concern that must be taken into account with the system 10 is the potential for interference that may result from the small aperture size of the receive
antenna 82. The aperture size of the receiveantenna 82 is typically smaller than conventional “very small aperture terminal” (VSAT) antennas. Accordingly, the beam from the receiveantenna 82 may encompass adjacent satellites along the geosynchronous arc. This can result in interference from satellites other than the target satellite being received by a particularmobile system 20. To overcome this potential problem, the system 10 preferably uses a lower than normal forward link data rate that overcomes the interference from adjacent satellites. For example, the system 10 operates at a preferred forward link data rate of at least about 5 Mbps per transponder, using a typical FSS Ku-band transponder (e.g., Telstar-6) and an antenna having an active aperture of about 17 inches by 24 inches (43.18 cm by 60.96 cm). For comparison purposes, a typical Ku-band transponder usually operates at a data rate of approximately 30 Mbps using conventional VSAT antennas. - Using a standard digital video broadcast (DVB) waveform, the forward link signal typically occupies less than 8 MHz out of a total transponder width of 27 MHz. However, concentrating the transponder power in less than the full transponder bandwidth could create a regulatory concern. FCC regulations presently regulate the maximum effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) spectral density from a transponder to prevent interference between closely spaced satellites. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, spread spectrum modulation techniques are employed in modulator 70 to “spread” the forward link signal over the transponder bandwidth using well known signal spreading techniques. This reduces the spectral density of the transponded signal, thus eliminating the possibility of interference between two or more
mobile systems 20. - It is also equally important that the transmit
antenna 74 meets regulatory requirements that prevent interference to satellites adjacent to the target satellite 18. The transmit antennas used in most mobile applications also tend to be smaller than conventional VSAT antennas (typically reflector antennas that are 1 meter in diameter). Mobile transmit antennas used for aeronautical applications should have low aerodynamic drag, be lightweight, have low power consumption and be of relatively small size. For all these reasons, the antenna aperture of the transmitantenna 74 is preferably smaller than a conventional VSAT antenna. VSAT antennas are sized to create an antenna beam that is narrow enough to illuminate a single FSS satellite along the geosynchronous arc. This is important because FSS satellites are spaced at 2° intervals along the geosynchronous arc. The smaller than normal antenna aperture of the transmitantenna 74 used with the present disclosure, in some instances, may create an antenna beam that is wide enough to irradiate satellites that are adjacent to the target satellite along the geosynchronous arc, which could create an interference problem. This potential problem is eliminated by employing spread spectrum modulation techniques on the return link transmissions as well. The transmitted signal from the transmitantenna 74 is spread in frequency to produce an interfering signal at the adjacent satellite that is below the threshold EIRP spectral density at which the signal would interfere. It will be appreciated, however, that spread spectrum modulation techniques may not be required if the angular spacing between satellites within a given coverage region is such that interference will not be a problem. - It will be appreciated that the system 10 of the present disclosure provides a means for providing bi-directional data content transfer to a large plurality of independent users on-board a large number of mobile platforms. The system 10 further enables data content such as rebroadcast video services, broadcast video services and other forms of data content to be provided in real time to a large plurality of mobile platforms such as aircraft, ships or virtually any other form of mobile platform carrying individuals who desire to access ground-based data content sources or to view live television and programming. The system further allows multiple mobile platforms within a given coverage region to communicate with one or a plurality of transponders within the given coverage region and to transmit data content via a satellite back to a ground-based control system. Accordingly, individual users on-board the mobile platform are able to independently access and obtain various forms of data content as well as selected channels of live television programming. Importantly, the system 10 of the present disclosure is scalable to accommodate large or small pluralities of mobile platforms, and also scalable over many satellites and coverage regions.
- Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure has been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, specification and following claims.
Claims (21)
1. A system for providing data content to a plurality of mobile platforms via at least one satellite having at least one radio frequency (RF) transponder, and for transmitting data content from said mobile platforms via said RF transponder to a remotely located control center, comprising:
an independent mobile system associated with each said mobile platform and carried by each said mobile platform;
an antenna system associated with said remotely located control center for transmitting encoded RF signals representative of said data content via said RF transponder to said mobile system;
each said mobile system comprising:
an on-board antenna system;
a communications subsystem in communication with said on-board antenna system for generating baseband video signals and data signals from said encoded RF signals received by said on-board antenna system, and for producing encoded signals from data transmissions input by each of a plurality of occupants;
a data content management system for filtering of portions of said data content not addressed to occupants on said mobile platform;
a network for distributing said baseband video signals and said data signals output from said data content management system to said occupants, said network including a plurality of access stations, whereby individual occupants receive only specific subportions of said baseband video signals and said data signals relating to previous information selections made by said occupants; and
said independent mobile system also operating to transmit said signals input by each of said occupants from each of said access stations, via said on-board antenna system of said mobile system and said RF transponder, to said remotely located control center.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said access stations are adapted to be coupled to personal computing devices operated by each of said occupants.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said data content management system comprises a file server.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said satellite comprises a plurality of RF transponders, and wherein said remotely located control center comprises a ground based control center that designates one of said RF transponders to communicate in dedicated fashion with a designated one of said mobile platforms.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein said network comprises a local area network.
6. A system for providing real time video signals to a mobile platform via a satellite having at least one radio frequency (RF) transponder, the system comprising:
a ground based system for transmitting RF signals representative of said video signals to said satellite;
a mobile receiving system disposed on said mobile platform comprising:
an antenna for receiving said RF signals from said RF transponder;
an antenna control system for use in steering said antenna to track said satellite as said mobile platform is in motion;
a communications system responsive to signals received by said antenna for generating baseband video signals in accordance therewith;
a data content management system responsive to said communications system for determining which portions of said baseband video signals are to be transmitted to each of a plurality of access stations on said mobile platform for viewing by individuals on said mobile platform; and
a distribution system for routing said portions of said baseband video signals to specific ones of said access stations in response to requests by said occupants, such that each said occupant receives only a portion of said baseband video signals in accordance with said request made by each said occupant.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein said communications system comprises a plurality of integrated receiver/decoders for decoding, demodulating and digital-to-analog converting received RF signals into said baseband video signals.
8. The system of claim 6 , wherein said data content management system comprises a server.
9. The system of claim 6 , wherein said baseband video signals represent live television signals.
10. The system of claim 6 , wherein said baseband video signals represent direct broadcast television signals.
11. The system of claim 6 , wherein said ground based system comprises a network operations center for managing accounting and billing operations associated with access to the system by each said user.
12. The system of claim 6 , wherein said ground based system operates to transmit encoded data signals to said RF transponder of said satellite; and
wherein said communications system operates to de-modulate and D/A convert said RF signals to produce said baseband data signals.
13. A system for supplying a plurality of channels of data content to a plurality of independent mobile platforms, wherein each said mobile platform has a plurality of occupants, and for receiving data content transmitted from said mobile platform by said occupants, said system comprising:
a ground based antenna for transmitting encoded radio frequency (RF) signals representing said data content;
at least one satellite having a plurality of RF transponders in orbit over a desired geographical coverage area within which said mobile platforms are travelling, for transponding said encoded RF signals;
a mobile receiving system disposed on each said mobile platform, each said mobile system comprising:
an antenna system including a receive antenna for receiving said encoded RF signals from a designated one of said RF transponders, and a transmit antenna for transmitting said data content to a designated one of said RF transponders;
an antenna control system for steering said transmit and receive antennas to track said satellite as said mobile platform is in motion;
a communications system responsive to said encoded RF signals received by said receive antenna for demodulating and decoding said encoded RF signals to produce baseband video signals and data signals;
said communications system including a system for transmitting data content from each of said occupants, via said transmit antenna, to said designated one of said transponders;
a data content management system responsive to said communications system for determining which portions of said baseband video signals and which portions of said data signals are to be transmitted to specific ones of a plurality of access stations on said mobile platform for use by said occupants of said mobile platform; and
a network system for routing said portions of said baseband video signals and said data signals to specific ones of said access stations in response to requests by said occupants, such that each said occupant receives only a requested portion of at least one of said baseband video signals or a requested portion of said data signals.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein said communications system comprises a plurality of integrated receiver/decoders.
15. The system of claim 13 , wherein said data content management system comprises a server.
16. The system of claim 13 , further comprising a data system for supplying crew information services to said data content management system.
17. The system of claim 13 , further comprising an air telephone system on board said mobile platform for transmitting data services to at least one ground based voice telephony receiving station within said coverage area.
18. A system for providing data content to a plurality of mobile platforms via at least one satellite having at least one radio frequency (RF) transponder, and for transmitting data content from said mobile platforms via said RF transponder to a remotely located control center, comprising:
an independent mobile system associated with each said mobile platform and carried by each said mobile platform;
an antenna system associated with said remotely located control center for transmitting encoded RF signals representative of said data content via said RF transponder to said mobile system;
each said mobile system comprising:
an on-board antenna system;
a communications subsystem in communication with said on-board antenna system for receiving information from occupants on board said mobile platform and transmitting said information to said one satellite, and for generating signals and data signals from said encoded RF signals received by said on-board antenna system from said one satellite;
a data content management system for filtering of portions of said data content not addressed to said occupants on said mobile platform; and
a network for distributing said video signals and said data signals output from said data content management system to said occupants, said network including a plurality of access stations, whereby individual ones of said occupants receive only specific subportions of said baseband video signals and said data signals relating to previous information selections made by said occupants.
19. A system for providing data content to a mobile platform via a satellite having at least one radio frequency (RF) transponder, the system comprising:
a ground based system for transmitting encoded RF signals representative of said data content to said satellite;
a mobile receiving system disposed on said mobile platform comprising:
an antenna for receiving said encoded RF signals from said RF transponder;
an antenna control system for use in steering said antenna to track said satellite as said mobile platform is in motion;
a communications system responsive to said encoded RF signals received by said antenna for generating data content in accordance therewith, said data content being usable by electronic devices being operated by users on said mobile platform;
a data content management system responsive to said communications system for determining which subportions of said data content are to be transmitted to each of a plurality of access stations on said mobile platform for use by users on said mobile platform; and
a distribution system for routing said subportions of said data content to specific ones of said access stations in accordance with previously made requests by specific ones of said users, such that each said user receives only a specific subportion of said data content corresponding to a previously made request by said user.
20. A system for bi-directionally communicating real time data content between a plurality of independent mobile platforms and a remotely located facility, wherein each said mobile receiving platform has a plurality of users each having an electronic device, said system comprising:
an antenna associated with said remotely located facility for transmitting encoded radio frequency (RF) signals representing said real time data content;
at least one satellite having a plurality of RF transponders in orbit over a desired geographical coverage area within which said mobile platforms are travelling, for transponding said encoded RF signals;
a mobile receiving system disposed on each said mobile platform, each said mobile system comprising:
an antenna system including a receive antenna for receiving said encoded RF signals from a designated one of said RF transponders, and a transmit antenna for transmitting said data content to a designated one of said RF transponders;
an antenna control system for steering said transmit and receive antennas to track said satellite as said mobile platform moves through said geographical coverage area;
a communications system responsive to said encoded RF signals received by said receive antenna for demodulating and decoding said encoded RF signals to produce said real time data content for use by said mobile platform;
said communications system including a system for transmitting data content from each of said users, via said transmit antenna, to said designated one of said transponders;
a data content management system responsive to said communications system for determining which portion of said real time data content has been requested by said users on said mobile platform, which specific ones of said users are to receive specific subportions of said portion of real time data content; and
a network system including a plurality of access stations adapted to interface to said electronic devices of each of said users, said network system adapted to route said subportions of said real time data to specific ones of said access stations so that each said user receives only a specific one of said subportions of said real time data that said user had previously requested.
21. A method for bi-directionally communicating data content in real time between a plurality of mobile platforms travelling through a geographic area, and a transponded satellite, said method comprising:
using a plurality of access stations on each said mobile platform for receiving information from said users on said mobile platforms, where each said user has an electronic device interfaced to a respective one of said access stations;
using a communications subsystem on each said mobile platform to transmit said information from said users to said transponded satellite;
using said transponded satellite to relay said information to a remote facility;
causing said remote facility to receive said information and to transmit a forward link signal to said transponded satellite that includes data content;
using a data content management system on each said mobile platform to determine a subportion of said data content that is to be delivered to said users on each said mobile platform, and each said data content management system eliminating that portion of said data content not intended for said users on its associated said mobile platform; and
using a local area network on board each said mobile platform to deliver selected portions of said subportion of said data from said data content management system to specific ones of said users on each said mobile platform.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/272,299 US20090080368A1 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2008-11-17 | Method and apparatus for bi-directional data services and live television programming to mobile platforms |
US13/176,570 US8646010B2 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2011-07-05 | Method and apparatus for providing bi-directional data services and live television programming to mobile platforms |
US14/171,627 US9055195B2 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2014-02-03 | Method and apparatus for providing bi-directional data services and live television programming to mobile platforms |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US63991200A | 2000-08-16 | 2000-08-16 | |
US12/272,299 US20090080368A1 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2008-11-17 | Method and apparatus for bi-directional data services and live television programming to mobile platforms |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US63991200A Continuation | 2000-08-16 | 2000-08-16 |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/176,570 Continuation US8646010B2 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2011-07-05 | Method and apparatus for providing bi-directional data services and live television programming to mobile platforms |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090080368A1 true US20090080368A1 (en) | 2009-03-26 |
Family
ID=24566082
Family Applications (4)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/989,742 Abandoned US20020087992A1 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2001-11-20 | Method and apparatus for bi-directional data services and live television programming to mobile platforms |
US12/272,299 Abandoned US20090080368A1 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2008-11-17 | Method and apparatus for bi-directional data services and live television programming to mobile platforms |
US13/176,570 Expired - Lifetime US8646010B2 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2011-07-05 | Method and apparatus for providing bi-directional data services and live television programming to mobile platforms |
US14/171,627 Expired - Fee Related US9055195B2 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2014-02-03 | Method and apparatus for providing bi-directional data services and live television programming to mobile platforms |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/989,742 Abandoned US20020087992A1 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2001-11-20 | Method and apparatus for bi-directional data services and live television programming to mobile platforms |
Family Applications After (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/176,570 Expired - Lifetime US8646010B2 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2011-07-05 | Method and apparatus for providing bi-directional data services and live television programming to mobile platforms |
US14/171,627 Expired - Fee Related US9055195B2 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2014-02-03 | Method and apparatus for providing bi-directional data services and live television programming to mobile platforms |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (4) | US20020087992A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1310096B1 (en) |
JP (2) | JP5006500B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1223195C (en) |
AU (1) | AU2002231427A1 (en) |
HK (1) | HK1058124A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2002015582A1 (en) |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060276127A1 (en) * | 1992-03-06 | 2006-12-07 | Aircell, Inc. | System for managing call handoffs between an aircraft and multiple cell sites |
US20100106849A1 (en) * | 2008-10-28 | 2010-04-29 | Pixel8 Networks, Inc. | Network-attached media plug-in |
US20110087754A1 (en) * | 2009-09-11 | 2011-04-14 | The Directv Group, Inc. | Session manager |
US8081969B2 (en) | 2000-10-11 | 2011-12-20 | Gogo Llc | System for creating an aircraft-based internet protocol subnet in an airborne wireless cellular network |
US8254914B2 (en) | 1992-03-06 | 2012-08-28 | Gogo, LLC | System for creating an air-to-ground IP tunnel in an airborne wireless cellular network to differentiate individual passengers |
US8306528B2 (en) | 1992-03-06 | 2012-11-06 | Gogo Llc | System for managing an aircraft-oriented emergency services call in an airborne wireless cellular network |
US8452276B2 (en) | 2000-10-11 | 2013-05-28 | Gogo Llc | Differentiated services code point mirroring for wireless communications |
US8457627B2 (en) | 1999-08-24 | 2013-06-04 | Gogo Llc | Traffic scheduling system for wireless communications |
CN103312453A (en) * | 2013-03-12 | 2013-09-18 | 中国电子科技集团公司第十研究所 | Self-adaptive distance data transmission method for aircraft-mounted terminal |
US8914022B2 (en) | 1992-03-06 | 2014-12-16 | Gogo Llc | System for providing high speed communications service in an airborne wireless cellular network |
US20150355334A1 (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2015-12-10 | iHeartCommunications, Inc. | Location-based operational control of a transmitter |
Families Citing this family (95)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8982856B2 (en) * | 1996-12-06 | 2015-03-17 | Ipco, Llc | Systems and methods for facilitating wireless network communication, satellite-based wireless network systems, and aircraft-based wireless network systems, and related methods |
ATE395673T1 (en) * | 1999-07-06 | 2008-05-15 | Swisscom Mobile Ag | INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND CORRESPONDING COMMUNICATION PROCESS |
US7921442B2 (en) * | 2000-08-16 | 2011-04-05 | The Boeing Company | Method and apparatus for simultaneous live television and data services using single beam antennas |
JP5006500B2 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2012-08-22 | ザ・ボーイング・カンパニー | Method and apparatus for providing interactive data services and live broadcast television programs to mobile platforms |
GB2370457B (en) | 2000-12-21 | 2005-03-09 | Inmarsat Ltd | Apparatus for receiving satellite broadcast signals |
US20020130967A1 (en) * | 2000-12-29 | 2002-09-19 | Michael Sweetser | Multi-point, concurrent, video display system using relatively inexpensive, closed vehicles |
WO2002071731A1 (en) * | 2001-03-07 | 2002-09-12 | T-Mobile Deutschland Gmbh | Method and device for improving voice quality on transparent telecommunication-transmission paths |
US20020160773A1 (en) * | 2001-03-29 | 2002-10-31 | Tenzing Communications, Inc. | Communications systems for aircraft including wireless systems |
US20040206818A1 (en) * | 2001-12-03 | 2004-10-21 | Loda David C. | Engine-mounted microserver |
US8082317B2 (en) * | 2002-02-26 | 2011-12-20 | United Technologies Corporation | Remote tablet-based internet inspection system |
US7532604B2 (en) * | 2002-05-08 | 2009-05-12 | Siemens Canada Limited | Local area network with wireless client freedom of movement |
US20050216938A1 (en) * | 2002-05-14 | 2005-09-29 | Thales Avionics, Inc. | In-flight entertainment system with wireless communication among components |
US7114171B2 (en) * | 2002-05-14 | 2006-09-26 | Thales Avionics, Inc. | Method for controlling an in-flight entertainment system |
DK1543002T3 (en) * | 2002-07-23 | 2006-12-27 | Teva Gyogyszergyar Zartkoeruee | Preparation of 1H-imidazo (4,5-c) quinoline-4-amines via 1H-imidazo (4,5-c) quinoline-4-phthalimide intermediates |
US7680086B2 (en) * | 2002-09-09 | 2010-03-16 | Siemens Canada Limited | Wireless local area network with clients having extended freedom of movement |
US7139595B2 (en) * | 2002-10-24 | 2006-11-21 | The Rail Network, Inc. | Transit vehicle wireless transmission broadcast system |
DE10257773B4 (en) * | 2002-12-10 | 2005-06-02 | Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. | Method for improving access to data and information services and device for carrying out the method |
US20040137840A1 (en) * | 2003-01-15 | 2004-07-15 | La Chapelle Michael De | Bi-directional transponder apparatus and method of operation |
US7099665B2 (en) * | 2003-01-27 | 2006-08-29 | The Boeing Company | Apparatus and method for providing satellite link status notification |
US7751337B2 (en) * | 2003-02-10 | 2010-07-06 | The Boeing Company | Method and apparatus for optimizing forward link data rate for radio frequency transmissions to mobile platforms |
US20040235469A1 (en) * | 2003-05-21 | 2004-11-25 | Krug William P. | High bandwidth open wired network |
US20050053026A1 (en) * | 2003-09-10 | 2005-03-10 | Arinc, Incorporated | Mobile airborne high-speed broadband communications systems and methods |
EP1526654A1 (en) | 2003-10-23 | 2005-04-27 | Lufthansa Technik AG | System and method for use of a mobile telephone on board of an aircraft |
US20050136917A1 (en) * | 2003-12-23 | 2005-06-23 | Taylor Scott P. | Content delivery coordinator apparatus and method |
US7113779B1 (en) | 2004-01-08 | 2006-09-26 | Iwao Fujisaki | Carrier |
US7844385B2 (en) * | 2004-01-28 | 2010-11-30 | United Technologies Corporation | Microserver engine control card |
US7167788B2 (en) * | 2004-01-30 | 2007-01-23 | United Technologies Corporation | Dual-architecture microserver card |
US7567806B2 (en) * | 2004-02-27 | 2009-07-28 | Nokia Corporation | Method and system to improve handover between mobile video networks and cells |
US7643440B1 (en) * | 2004-03-04 | 2010-01-05 | Rockwell Collins, Inc. | Integrated television and broadband data system for aircraft |
JP4405306B2 (en) * | 2004-03-31 | 2010-01-27 | パナソニック株式会社 | Content transmitting apparatus and content reproducing apparatus |
US7860497B2 (en) | 2004-03-31 | 2010-12-28 | The Boeing Company | Dynamic configuration management |
US7984190B2 (en) | 2004-05-07 | 2011-07-19 | Panasonic Avionics Corporation | System and method for managing content on mobile platforms |
WO2005120069A2 (en) * | 2004-05-27 | 2005-12-15 | Thales Avionics, Inc. | In-flight entertainment system with wireless communication among components |
US7071879B2 (en) * | 2004-06-01 | 2006-07-04 | Ems Technologies Canada, Ltd. | Dielectric-resonator array antenna system |
US7068235B2 (en) * | 2004-07-26 | 2006-06-27 | Row 44, Llc | Antenna system |
US7454202B2 (en) * | 2004-08-10 | 2008-11-18 | The Boeing Company | Low data rate mobile platform communication system and method |
WO2006052941A1 (en) * | 2004-11-05 | 2006-05-18 | Panasonic Avionics Corporation | System and method for receiving broadcast content on a mobile platform during international travel |
US7675849B2 (en) * | 2005-03-29 | 2010-03-09 | Panasonic Avionics Corporation | System and method for routing communication signals via a data distribution network |
JP4869333B2 (en) * | 2005-04-19 | 2012-02-08 | パナソニック・アビオニクス・コーポレイション | System and method for displaying high quality video |
US7991997B2 (en) * | 2005-06-23 | 2011-08-02 | Panasonic Avionics Corporation | System and method for providing searchable data transport stream encryption |
GB2443463B (en) * | 2006-11-03 | 2010-12-08 | Vodafone Plc | Mobile telecommunications |
WO2008059511A2 (en) * | 2006-11-13 | 2008-05-22 | Alok Singh | Remote multimedia for network computing |
US8169946B2 (en) | 2007-03-30 | 2012-05-01 | Livetv, Llc | Aircraft communications system with hard handoff and associated methods |
CN103838509A (en) | 2007-09-14 | 2014-06-04 | 松下航空电子公司 | Portable user control device and method for vehicle information systems |
ATE505858T1 (en) * | 2007-09-24 | 2011-04-15 | Panasonic Avionics Corp | ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING BROADCAST CONTENT ON A MOBILE PLATFORM DURING TRAVEL |
WO2009046365A1 (en) * | 2007-10-05 | 2009-04-09 | Panasonic Avionics Corporation | System and method for presenting advertisement content on a mobile platform during travel |
US8917207B2 (en) | 2007-10-16 | 2014-12-23 | Livetv, Llc | Aircraft in-flight entertainment system having a multi-beam phased array antenna and associated methods |
CN101939932A (en) * | 2008-02-08 | 2011-01-05 | 松下航空电子公司 | Optical communication system and method for distributing content aboard a mobile platform during travel |
US8509990B2 (en) | 2008-12-15 | 2013-08-13 | Panasonic Avionics Corporation | System and method for performing real-time data analysis |
EP2441229B1 (en) | 2009-06-11 | 2020-05-06 | Panasonic Avionics Corporation | System and method for providing security aboard a moving platform |
US9016627B2 (en) | 2009-10-02 | 2015-04-28 | Panasonic Avionics Corporation | System and method for providing an integrated user interface system at a seat |
WO2011081943A2 (en) | 2009-12-14 | 2011-07-07 | Panasonic Avionics Corporation | System and method for providing dynamic power management |
GB2481191A (en) | 2010-02-25 | 2011-12-21 | Sita Information Networking Computing Ireland Ltd | Graphical development tool for software application development |
CN102971214B (en) | 2010-04-27 | 2016-01-13 | 松下航空电子公司 | For connection support system and the method for user interface facilities |
EP2577937A1 (en) * | 2010-05-25 | 2013-04-10 | Thomson Licensing | System and method for managing out of coverage broadcasts |
AU2011298966B2 (en) | 2010-09-10 | 2014-11-06 | Panasonic Avionics Corporation | Integrated user interface system and method |
WO2012084549A1 (en) | 2010-12-21 | 2012-06-28 | Sita N.V | Reservation system and method |
EP2673896A4 (en) * | 2011-02-07 | 2016-07-20 | Telcordia Tech Inc | Distributed management of leo satellite networks with management agility and network efficiency |
US8676192B2 (en) | 2011-02-09 | 2014-03-18 | Qualcomm Incorporated | High data rate aircraft to ground communication antenna system |
US9692549B2 (en) * | 2011-06-29 | 2017-06-27 | Spatial Digital Systems, Inc. | Accessing CP channels with LP terminals via wavefront multiplexing |
US9460412B2 (en) | 2011-08-03 | 2016-10-04 | Sita Information Networking Computing Usa, Inc. | Item handling and tracking system and method therefor |
US9319172B2 (en) * | 2011-10-14 | 2016-04-19 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Interference mitigation techniques for air to ground systems |
GB2499288A (en) | 2012-02-09 | 2013-08-14 | Sita Inf Networking Computing Usa Inc | Path determination |
US9621850B1 (en) * | 2012-02-16 | 2017-04-11 | Rockwell Collins, Inc. | Instant on video conferencing system and related method |
US9087204B2 (en) | 2012-04-10 | 2015-07-21 | Sita Information Networking Computing Ireland Limited | Airport security check system and method therefor |
CA2841685C (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2021-05-18 | Panasonic Avionics Corporation | System and method for providing multi-mode wireless data distribution |
US10320908B2 (en) | 2013-03-25 | 2019-06-11 | Sita Information Networking Computing Ireland Limited | In-flight computing device for aircraft cabin crew |
GB2515142B (en) | 2013-06-14 | 2020-12-16 | Sita Information Networking Computing Ireland Ltd | Portable user control system and method therefor |
US9577857B2 (en) | 2013-11-08 | 2017-02-21 | Gogo Llc | Adaptive modulation in a hybrid vehicle communication system |
US9467828B2 (en) | 2013-11-08 | 2016-10-11 | Gogo Llc | Systems and methods for configuring an electronic device for cellular-based communications |
US9197314B1 (en) | 2013-11-08 | 2015-11-24 | Gogo Llc | Data delivery to devices on vehicles using multiple forward links |
US9232546B2 (en) | 2013-11-08 | 2016-01-05 | Gogo Llc | Systems and methods for two-part electronic device registration |
US9326217B2 (en) | 2013-11-08 | 2016-04-26 | Gogo Llc | Optimizing usage of modems for data delivery to devices on vehicles |
US9369991B2 (en) | 2013-11-08 | 2016-06-14 | Gogo Llc | Hybrid communications for devices on vehicles |
US9787619B2 (en) * | 2013-11-08 | 2017-10-10 | Gogo Llc | Data caching in a hybrid communications system |
US9967020B2 (en) | 2013-11-08 | 2018-05-08 | Gogo Llc | Facilitating communications between on-board electronic devices and terrestrial devices |
WO2015116284A1 (en) | 2014-01-31 | 2015-08-06 | Kvh Industries, Inc. | System and methods for providing content to vehicles |
GB2523441A (en) | 2014-02-19 | 2015-08-26 | Sita Information Networking Computing Ireland Ltd | Reservation system and method therefor |
US9917635B2 (en) * | 2014-03-10 | 2018-03-13 | Spatial Digital Systems, Inc. | Distributed SATCOM aperture on fishing boat |
US9712668B2 (en) | 2014-05-01 | 2017-07-18 | Gogo Llc | Systems and methods for notifying electronic devices of voice-based communication requests |
US9648468B2 (en) | 2014-05-01 | 2017-05-09 | Gogo Llc | Systems and methods for facilitating voice-based communications |
US9655073B2 (en) | 2014-05-30 | 2017-05-16 | Gogo Llc | Systems and methods for communicating with non-terrestrial electronic devices |
US9503956B2 (en) | 2014-05-30 | 2016-11-22 | Gogo Llc | Systems and methods for facilitating communications originating from a non-terrestrial network |
US9716542B2 (en) | 2014-05-30 | 2017-07-25 | Gogo Llc | Systems and methods for facilitating communications destined for a non-terrestrial network |
US10001546B2 (en) | 2014-12-02 | 2018-06-19 | Sita Information Networking Computing Uk Limited | Apparatus for monitoring aircraft position |
WO2017020017A1 (en) | 2015-07-29 | 2017-02-02 | Viasat, Inc. | Systems and methods for managing content distribution to an in-transit media system |
CN105578307B (en) * | 2015-12-14 | 2019-03-22 | 深圳多尼卡互联技术有限公司 | A kind of airborne television broadcast system and its method of realization |
CN105704506A (en) * | 2016-01-19 | 2016-06-22 | 北京流金岁月文化传播股份有限公司 | Device and method for synchronizing audio and video coding labial sound |
CN105721042A (en) * | 2016-03-02 | 2016-06-29 | 天津凯普卫星导航通信技术有限公司 | Satellite communication system applicable to small ships |
CN107277560A (en) * | 2016-04-07 | 2017-10-20 | 航迅信息技术有限公司 | A kind of satellite television play system and method |
CN107277090A (en) * | 2016-04-07 | 2017-10-20 | 航迅信息技术有限公司 | A kind of airborne passenger entertainment data transmission system and method |
CN107277647A (en) * | 2016-04-07 | 2017-10-20 | 航迅信息技术有限公司 | A kind of airborne passenger entertainment data update and information interaction system and method |
US10701713B2 (en) | 2017-04-11 | 2020-06-30 | Viasat, Inc. | Return link prioritization of selective events on a mobile platform |
US9819410B1 (en) * | 2017-04-13 | 2017-11-14 | QB Technology Partners, LLC | Super speed satellite system (S4) |
FR3097391B1 (en) * | 2019-06-13 | 2023-01-06 | Airbus | System and method for receiving and managing satellite signals, intended for a flying machine |
Citations (47)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3972045A (en) * | 1974-05-20 | 1976-07-27 | Bell & Howell Company | Aircraft with television system |
US4392139A (en) * | 1979-12-14 | 1983-07-05 | The Boeing Company | Aircraft television antenna receiving system |
US4743906A (en) * | 1984-12-03 | 1988-05-10 | Charles A. Phillips | Time domain radio transmission system |
US4866515A (en) * | 1987-01-30 | 1989-09-12 | Sony Corporation | Passenger service and entertainment system for supplying frequency-multiplexed video, audio, and television game software signals to passenger seat terminals |
US4901307A (en) * | 1986-10-17 | 1990-02-13 | Qualcomm, Inc. | Spread spectrum multiple access communication system using satellite or terrestrial repeaters |
US4958381A (en) * | 1987-02-17 | 1990-09-18 | Sony Corporation | Two way communication system |
US5127021A (en) * | 1991-07-12 | 1992-06-30 | Schreiber William F | Spread spectrum television transmission |
US5146234A (en) * | 1989-09-08 | 1992-09-08 | Ball Corporation | Dual polarized spiral antenna |
US5230076A (en) * | 1984-10-30 | 1993-07-20 | The Secretary Of State For Defence In Her Britannic Majesty's Government Of The United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland | Ionospheric sounding |
US5249303A (en) * | 1991-04-23 | 1993-09-28 | Goeken John D | Continuous reception by a mobile receiver unit of program channels transmitted by a series of transmitters |
US5289272A (en) * | 1992-02-18 | 1994-02-22 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Combined data, audio and video distribution system in passenger aircraft |
US5311302A (en) * | 1992-07-02 | 1994-05-10 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Entertainment and data management system for passenger vehicle including individual seat interactive video terminals |
US5313457A (en) * | 1992-04-14 | 1994-05-17 | Trimble Navigation Limited | Code position modulation system and method for multiple user satellite communications |
US5463656A (en) * | 1993-10-29 | 1995-10-31 | Harris Corporation | System for conducting video communications over satellite communication link with aircraft having physically compact, effectively conformal, phased array antenna |
US5495258A (en) * | 1994-09-01 | 1996-02-27 | Nicholas L. Muhlhauser | Multiple beam antenna system for simultaneously receiving multiple satellite signals |
US5524272A (en) * | 1993-12-22 | 1996-06-04 | Gte Airfone Incorporated | Method and apparatus for distributing program material |
US5555466A (en) * | 1994-10-12 | 1996-09-10 | Asa Electronics Corporation | Vehicular audio/visual system having distribution box for connecting individual passenger monitors to multiple program sources |
US5568484A (en) * | 1994-12-22 | 1996-10-22 | Matsushita Avionics Systems Corporation | Telecommunications system and method for use on commercial aircraft and other vehicles |
US5583735A (en) * | 1994-01-18 | 1996-12-10 | Hollingsead International, Inc. | Aircraft video monitor deployment and retraction apparatus |
US5592539A (en) * | 1993-12-30 | 1997-01-07 | At&T | System for completing air-to-ground telephone calls |
US5760819A (en) * | 1996-06-19 | 1998-06-02 | Hughes Electronics | Distribution of a large number of live television programs to individual passengers in an aircraft |
US5761602A (en) * | 1995-09-13 | 1998-06-02 | Wagner Dsp Technologies | Hybrid multichannel data transmission system utilizing a broadcast medium |
US5761606A (en) * | 1996-02-08 | 1998-06-02 | Wolzien; Thomas R. | Media online services access via address embedded in video or audio program |
US5790175A (en) * | 1996-06-19 | 1998-08-04 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Aircraft satellite television system for distributing television programming derived from direct broadcast satellites |
US5801751A (en) * | 1996-06-19 | 1998-09-01 | Hughes Electronics | Distribution of satellite television programs to passengers in an aircraft when it is out of range of the satellites |
US5861856A (en) * | 1990-02-22 | 1999-01-19 | British Aerospace Public Limited Company | Airborne radar |
US5973647A (en) * | 1997-09-17 | 1999-10-26 | Aerosat Corporation | Low-height, low-cost, high-gain antenna and system for mobile platforms |
US5974349A (en) * | 1996-12-17 | 1999-10-26 | Levine; Seymour | Remote, aircraft, global, paperless maintenance system |
US6018659A (en) * | 1996-10-17 | 2000-01-25 | The Boeing Company | Airborne broadband communication network |
US6023242A (en) * | 1998-07-07 | 2000-02-08 | Northern Telecom Limited | Establishing communication with a satellite |
US6034634A (en) * | 1997-10-24 | 2000-03-07 | Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ) | Terminal antenna for communications systems |
US6047165A (en) * | 1995-11-14 | 2000-04-04 | Harris Corporation | Wireless, frequency-agile spread spectrum ground link-based aircraft data communication system |
US6061562A (en) * | 1997-10-30 | 2000-05-09 | Raytheon Company | Wireless communication using an airborne switching node |
US6078577A (en) * | 1996-11-21 | 2000-06-20 | Motorola, Inc. | System and method for packet data communication |
US6175717B1 (en) * | 1993-04-16 | 2001-01-16 | Trans Video Electronics, Inc. | Global mobile video communications system |
US6208307B1 (en) * | 2000-04-07 | 2001-03-27 | Live Tv, Inc. | Aircraft in-flight entertainment system having wideband antenna steering and associated methods |
US6249913B1 (en) * | 1998-10-09 | 2001-06-19 | General Dynamics Ots (Aerospace), Inc. | Aircraft data management system |
US6356235B2 (en) * | 1999-09-20 | 2002-03-12 | Motorola, Inc. | Ground based antenna assembly |
US20020160773A1 (en) * | 2001-03-29 | 2002-10-31 | Tenzing Communications, Inc. | Communications systems for aircraft including wireless systems |
US6477152B1 (en) * | 1998-12-30 | 2002-11-05 | Honeywell Inc. | Apparatus and method for data communications |
US6529706B1 (en) * | 1999-09-13 | 2003-03-04 | Rockwell Collins, Inc. | Aircraft satellite communications system for distributing internet service from direct broadcast satellites |
US6574338B1 (en) * | 1996-11-15 | 2003-06-03 | Worldspace, Inc. | Information delivery system and method |
US6741841B1 (en) * | 2000-01-28 | 2004-05-25 | Rockwell Collins | Dual receiver for a on-board entertainment system |
US6751442B1 (en) * | 1997-09-17 | 2004-06-15 | Aerosat Corp. | Low-height, low-cost, high-gain antenna and system for mobile platforms |
US6757712B1 (en) * | 1998-09-08 | 2004-06-29 | Tenzing Communications, Inc. | Communications systems for aircraft |
US6807538B1 (en) * | 1998-05-26 | 2004-10-19 | Rockwell Collins | Passenger entertainment system, method and article of manufacture employing object oriented system software |
US7142812B1 (en) * | 2000-06-13 | 2006-11-28 | Sony Deutschland Gmbh | Wireless transmission system |
Family Cites Families (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NL8103064A (en) * | 1981-06-25 | 1983-01-17 | Philips Nv | COMMON AERIAL DEVICE FOR THE RECEPTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF TV AND DIGITAL AUDIO SIGNALS. |
US4503525A (en) * | 1982-04-07 | 1985-03-05 | Ncr Corporation | Common circuit for dynamic memory refresh and system clock function |
US4856028A (en) * | 1986-04-25 | 1989-08-08 | The Mitre Corporation | Low data rate communications link |
US4846028A (en) | 1987-10-06 | 1989-07-11 | Junkers John K | Fluid-operated wrench |
US5544320A (en) * | 1993-01-08 | 1996-08-06 | Konrad; Allan M. | Remote information service access system based on a client-server-service model |
AU6701994A (en) * | 1993-04-16 | 1994-11-08 | Mihailo V. Rebec | Global video communications systems |
US6314366B1 (en) * | 1993-05-14 | 2001-11-06 | Tom S. Farmakis | Satellite based collision avoidance system |
FR2716764B1 (en) * | 1994-02-25 | 1996-04-26 | Sextant Avionique | Method and device for the distribution of "multimedia" information. |
US5991596A (en) * | 1996-10-24 | 1999-11-23 | Stanford Telecommunications, Inc. | Wireless request channel for use with information broadcast system |
US20030066085A1 (en) * | 1996-12-10 | 2003-04-03 | United Video Properties, Inc., A Corporation Of Delaware | Internet television program guide system |
FI19992331A (en) | 1999-10-28 | 2001-04-29 | Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd | Call forwarding via satellite link |
JP5006500B2 (en) | 2000-08-16 | 2012-08-22 | ザ・ボーイング・カンパニー | Method and apparatus for providing interactive data services and live broadcast television programs to mobile platforms |
GB2371711B (en) | 2000-11-27 | 2004-07-07 | Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd | A Server |
-
2001
- 2001-07-13 JP JP2002520562A patent/JP5006500B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-07-13 CN CNB018161006A patent/CN1223195C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-07-13 WO PCT/US2001/022157 patent/WO2002015582A1/en active Application Filing
- 2001-07-13 EP EP01984522.1A patent/EP1310096B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-07-13 AU AU2002231427A patent/AU2002231427A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-11-20 US US09/989,742 patent/US20020087992A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2004
- 2004-02-09 HK HK04100846A patent/HK1058124A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2008
- 2008-11-17 US US12/272,299 patent/US20090080368A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2011
- 2011-05-06 JP JP2011103494A patent/JP5020394B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2011-07-05 US US13/176,570 patent/US8646010B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2014
- 2014-02-03 US US14/171,627 patent/US9055195B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (50)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3972045A (en) * | 1974-05-20 | 1976-07-27 | Bell & Howell Company | Aircraft with television system |
US4392139A (en) * | 1979-12-14 | 1983-07-05 | The Boeing Company | Aircraft television antenna receiving system |
US5230076A (en) * | 1984-10-30 | 1993-07-20 | The Secretary Of State For Defence In Her Britannic Majesty's Government Of The United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland | Ionospheric sounding |
US4743906A (en) * | 1984-12-03 | 1988-05-10 | Charles A. Phillips | Time domain radio transmission system |
US4901307A (en) * | 1986-10-17 | 1990-02-13 | Qualcomm, Inc. | Spread spectrum multiple access communication system using satellite or terrestrial repeaters |
US4866515A (en) * | 1987-01-30 | 1989-09-12 | Sony Corporation | Passenger service and entertainment system for supplying frequency-multiplexed video, audio, and television game software signals to passenger seat terminals |
US4958381A (en) * | 1987-02-17 | 1990-09-18 | Sony Corporation | Two way communication system |
US5146234A (en) * | 1989-09-08 | 1992-09-08 | Ball Corporation | Dual polarized spiral antenna |
US5861856A (en) * | 1990-02-22 | 1999-01-19 | British Aerospace Public Limited Company | Airborne radar |
US5249303A (en) * | 1991-04-23 | 1993-09-28 | Goeken John D | Continuous reception by a mobile receiver unit of program channels transmitted by a series of transmitters |
US5285470A (en) * | 1991-07-12 | 1994-02-08 | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology | Methods of noise-reduced and bandwidth-reduced television transmission |
US5127021A (en) * | 1991-07-12 | 1992-06-30 | Schreiber William F | Spread spectrum television transmission |
US5289272A (en) * | 1992-02-18 | 1994-02-22 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Combined data, audio and video distribution system in passenger aircraft |
US5313457A (en) * | 1992-04-14 | 1994-05-17 | Trimble Navigation Limited | Code position modulation system and method for multiple user satellite communications |
US5311302A (en) * | 1992-07-02 | 1994-05-10 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Entertainment and data management system for passenger vehicle including individual seat interactive video terminals |
US6175717B1 (en) * | 1993-04-16 | 2001-01-16 | Trans Video Electronics, Inc. | Global mobile video communications system |
US5463656A (en) * | 1993-10-29 | 1995-10-31 | Harris Corporation | System for conducting video communications over satellite communication link with aircraft having physically compact, effectively conformal, phased array antenna |
US5524272A (en) * | 1993-12-22 | 1996-06-04 | Gte Airfone Incorporated | Method and apparatus for distributing program material |
US5592539A (en) * | 1993-12-30 | 1997-01-07 | At&T | System for completing air-to-ground telephone calls |
US5583735A (en) * | 1994-01-18 | 1996-12-10 | Hollingsead International, Inc. | Aircraft video monitor deployment and retraction apparatus |
US5495258A (en) * | 1994-09-01 | 1996-02-27 | Nicholas L. Muhlhauser | Multiple beam antenna system for simultaneously receiving multiple satellite signals |
US5555466A (en) * | 1994-10-12 | 1996-09-10 | Asa Electronics Corporation | Vehicular audio/visual system having distribution box for connecting individual passenger monitors to multiple program sources |
US5568484A (en) * | 1994-12-22 | 1996-10-22 | Matsushita Avionics Systems Corporation | Telecommunications system and method for use on commercial aircraft and other vehicles |
US5761602A (en) * | 1995-09-13 | 1998-06-02 | Wagner Dsp Technologies | Hybrid multichannel data transmission system utilizing a broadcast medium |
US6104914A (en) * | 1995-11-14 | 2000-08-15 | Harris Corporation | Wireless frequency-agile spread spectrum ground link-based aircraft data communication system having adaptive power control |
US6047165A (en) * | 1995-11-14 | 2000-04-04 | Harris Corporation | Wireless, frequency-agile spread spectrum ground link-based aircraft data communication system |
US6108523A (en) * | 1995-11-14 | 2000-08-22 | Harris Corporation | Wireless, frequency-agile spread spectrum ground like-based aircraft data communication system with remote flight operations control center |
US5761606A (en) * | 1996-02-08 | 1998-06-02 | Wolzien; Thomas R. | Media online services access via address embedded in video or audio program |
US5760819A (en) * | 1996-06-19 | 1998-06-02 | Hughes Electronics | Distribution of a large number of live television programs to individual passengers in an aircraft |
US5790175A (en) * | 1996-06-19 | 1998-08-04 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Aircraft satellite television system for distributing television programming derived from direct broadcast satellites |
US5801751A (en) * | 1996-06-19 | 1998-09-01 | Hughes Electronics | Distribution of satellite television programs to passengers in an aircraft when it is out of range of the satellites |
US6018659A (en) * | 1996-10-17 | 2000-01-25 | The Boeing Company | Airborne broadband communication network |
US6574338B1 (en) * | 1996-11-15 | 2003-06-03 | Worldspace, Inc. | Information delivery system and method |
US6078577A (en) * | 1996-11-21 | 2000-06-20 | Motorola, Inc. | System and method for packet data communication |
US5974349A (en) * | 1996-12-17 | 1999-10-26 | Levine; Seymour | Remote, aircraft, global, paperless maintenance system |
US5973647A (en) * | 1997-09-17 | 1999-10-26 | Aerosat Corporation | Low-height, low-cost, high-gain antenna and system for mobile platforms |
US6751442B1 (en) * | 1997-09-17 | 2004-06-15 | Aerosat Corp. | Low-height, low-cost, high-gain antenna and system for mobile platforms |
US6034634A (en) * | 1997-10-24 | 2000-03-07 | Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ) | Terminal antenna for communications systems |
US6061562A (en) * | 1997-10-30 | 2000-05-09 | Raytheon Company | Wireless communication using an airborne switching node |
US6807538B1 (en) * | 1998-05-26 | 2004-10-19 | Rockwell Collins | Passenger entertainment system, method and article of manufacture employing object oriented system software |
US6023242A (en) * | 1998-07-07 | 2000-02-08 | Northern Telecom Limited | Establishing communication with a satellite |
US6757712B1 (en) * | 1998-09-08 | 2004-06-29 | Tenzing Communications, Inc. | Communications systems for aircraft |
US6249913B1 (en) * | 1998-10-09 | 2001-06-19 | General Dynamics Ots (Aerospace), Inc. | Aircraft data management system |
US6477152B1 (en) * | 1998-12-30 | 2002-11-05 | Honeywell Inc. | Apparatus and method for data communications |
US6529706B1 (en) * | 1999-09-13 | 2003-03-04 | Rockwell Collins, Inc. | Aircraft satellite communications system for distributing internet service from direct broadcast satellites |
US6356235B2 (en) * | 1999-09-20 | 2002-03-12 | Motorola, Inc. | Ground based antenna assembly |
US6741841B1 (en) * | 2000-01-28 | 2004-05-25 | Rockwell Collins | Dual receiver for a on-board entertainment system |
US6208307B1 (en) * | 2000-04-07 | 2001-03-27 | Live Tv, Inc. | Aircraft in-flight entertainment system having wideband antenna steering and associated methods |
US7142812B1 (en) * | 2000-06-13 | 2006-11-28 | Sony Deutschland Gmbh | Wireless transmission system |
US20020160773A1 (en) * | 2001-03-29 | 2002-10-31 | Tenzing Communications, Inc. | Communications systems for aircraft including wireless systems |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8914022B2 (en) | 1992-03-06 | 2014-12-16 | Gogo Llc | System for providing high speed communications service in an airborne wireless cellular network |
US7751814B2 (en) * | 1992-03-06 | 2010-07-06 | Aircell Llc | System for managing call handoffs between an aircraft and multiple cell sites |
US8254914B2 (en) | 1992-03-06 | 2012-08-28 | Gogo, LLC | System for creating an air-to-ground IP tunnel in an airborne wireless cellular network to differentiate individual passengers |
US20060276127A1 (en) * | 1992-03-06 | 2006-12-07 | Aircell, Inc. | System for managing call handoffs between an aircraft and multiple cell sites |
US8306528B2 (en) | 1992-03-06 | 2012-11-06 | Gogo Llc | System for managing an aircraft-oriented emergency services call in an airborne wireless cellular network |
US8457627B2 (en) | 1999-08-24 | 2013-06-04 | Gogo Llc | Traffic scheduling system for wireless communications |
US8452276B2 (en) | 2000-10-11 | 2013-05-28 | Gogo Llc | Differentiated services code point mirroring for wireless communications |
US8081969B2 (en) | 2000-10-11 | 2011-12-20 | Gogo Llc | System for creating an aircraft-based internet protocol subnet in an airborne wireless cellular network |
US8301792B2 (en) * | 2008-10-28 | 2012-10-30 | Panzura, Inc | Network-attached media plug-in |
US20100106849A1 (en) * | 2008-10-28 | 2010-04-29 | Pixel8 Networks, Inc. | Network-attached media plug-in |
US20110087754A1 (en) * | 2009-09-11 | 2011-04-14 | The Directv Group, Inc. | Session manager |
US8775553B2 (en) * | 2009-09-11 | 2014-07-08 | The Directv Group, Inc. | Managing signal delivery to a plurality of display platforms |
CN103312453A (en) * | 2013-03-12 | 2013-09-18 | 中国电子科技集团公司第十研究所 | Self-adaptive distance data transmission method for aircraft-mounted terminal |
US20150355334A1 (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2015-12-10 | iHeartCommunications, Inc. | Location-based operational control of a transmitter |
US10117067B2 (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2018-10-30 | iHeartCommunications, Inc. | Location-based selection of a satellite transmitter of a vehicle |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2005501431A (en) | 2005-01-13 |
JP5006500B2 (en) | 2012-08-22 |
EP1310096A1 (en) | 2003-05-14 |
CN1223195C (en) | 2005-10-12 |
US9055195B2 (en) | 2015-06-09 |
US20020087992A1 (en) | 2002-07-04 |
HK1058124A1 (en) | 2004-04-30 |
AU2002231427A1 (en) | 2002-02-25 |
US8646010B2 (en) | 2014-02-04 |
JP5020394B2 (en) | 2012-09-05 |
CN1462552A (en) | 2003-12-17 |
WO2002015582A1 (en) | 2002-02-21 |
US20110265128A1 (en) | 2011-10-27 |
US20140150033A1 (en) | 2014-05-29 |
JP2011205659A (en) | 2011-10-13 |
EP1310096B1 (en) | 2014-10-08 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US9055195B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for providing bi-directional data services and live television programming to mobile platforms | |
US20020170060A1 (en) | Methods and apparatus for transmitting portal content over multiple transmission regions | |
EP1425863B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for path discovery between a mobile platform and a ground segment | |
US6643510B2 (en) | Mobile platform real time availability and content scheduling system and method | |
US6941111B2 (en) | Method and apparatus using a binary search pattern for identifying an interfering mobile terminal | |
US7054593B2 (en) | Return link design for PSD limited mobile satellite communication systems | |
US7921442B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for simultaneous live television and data services using single beam antennas | |
US7085288B2 (en) | Content delivery optimizer for a communications system | |
US20030202533A1 (en) | System and methods for monitoring a network workload | |
US20020058477A1 (en) | Return link design for PSD limited mobile satellite communication systems | |
US6785526B2 (en) | Method and apparatus using event correlation for identifying an interfering mobile terminal | |
US7155168B2 (en) | Method and apparatus using variations in power modulation to determine an interfering mobile terminal |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: THE BOEING COMPANY, ILLINOIS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BENGEULT, GREG A.;HARRANG, JEFFREY P.;RICHARDS, WILLIAM R.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:021860/0095;SIGNING DATES FROM 20040805 TO 20040927 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |