Abstract: A system, method, and device to enable communication between a first and second satellite station and a controller of a mobile platform. The controller includes a processor, a first modem facilitating communication with the first satellite station via a first frequency over a first communication link, and a map of the one or more networks of satellite stations including the second satellite station. The controller utilizes the map of the one or more networks of satellite stations to determine the second satellite station for communicating with the controller. A second modem is coupled to the controller and facilitates communication with the second satellite station via a second frequency over a second communication link, wherein the controller is configured to calculate a time to handoff communication with the mobile communicator from the first communication link to the second communication link.

Abstract: Data content that is to be utilized, as a whole, at a target device on-board a vehicle is apportioned for delivery onto the vehicle via multiple forward links, each of which is included in a different frequency band and/or used a different protocol. A mapping or selection of a specific portion of the data content for a specific forward link may based on a data content type of the specific portion, as well as on other dynamic or static criteria. The target device may operate on the subsets of the data content as it receives each subset. Thus, time critical/foundational portions of the data content may be delivered using a faster forward link, larger elements of the data content may be delivered using a higher-bandwidth forward link, and/or portions of the data content requiring a higher degree of accuracy may be delivered using a more robust forward link, for example.

Abstract: Devices and nodes associated with a vehicle may communicate using a higher-level, common messaging protocol over an ad-hoc network to publish and subscribe to services, even though different nodes may utilize different types of links and channels. The network includes a rules node that is fixedly connected to the vehicle and that stores a set of rules. Given a possible publisher, subscriber, and/or a service, a node action is allowed or denied based on the set of rules. The rules may be generated or updated based on priorities, security levels, and/or characteristics of publishers, subscribers, their respective users, and/or services; a current dynamic condition; and/or user input. The rules node and at least one other node may be transported by the vehicle, and both transported nodes and nodes external to the vehicle may use the common messaging protocol to join the ad-hoc network, discover other nodes, authenticate, and publish/consume services.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating data communications among electronic devices via various communication networks are provided. A first electronic device may be connected to a terrestrial network and a second electronic device may be connected to an on-board communications network of a vehicle. A first voice- or message-based content may be received from the first electronic device, for delivery to the second electronic device. A data center may transmit a corresponding forward communication to the second electronic device via a satellite communication link. The data center may also receive a return communication from the second electronic device via either the satellite communication link or a terrestrial communication link, and transmit corresponding content to the first electronic device.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for processing voice communication requests intended for a destination electronic device connected to an on-board communications network. According to certain aspects, a server may receive a request for a routing number and provide the routing number to a service provider network. The server may also identify an identification of a destination electronic device included in a voice communication request, modify the voice communication request to indicate the identification of the destination electronic device, and transmit, to an on-board communications network for delivery to the destination electronic device, a communication according to the voice communication request that was modified.

Abstract: Selecting serving cells in air to ground communication systems efficiently and with maximum knowledge of forward and return link channel conditions allows maximum throughput available to a user at any point in time, particularly in the presence of high interference. Airborne based and ground based systems may collect forward and return link channel conditions and develop user capacity estimates to be used by aircraft and ground based transceivers. Such user capacity estimates may be shared among distributed air-to-ground networks to ensure the latest channel conditions are available for serving cell selection decisions.

Abstract: A real-time media stream, multicast by a remote computing system, is received by an on-board system of a vehicle. While being received, the real-time media stream is packaged into time-delineated media segments that are input to a buffer. One or more missing segments are identified after a signal loss event (e.g., a satellite handoff), and a request for the missing segment(s) is/are caused to be sent to the remote computing system. The missing segment(s) is/are received from the remote computing system via a unicast transmission, and inserted into the buffer in sequence with the time-delineated media segments. The buffered real-time media stream, including the inserted segment(s), is caused to be provided to one or more electronic devices on-board the vehicle. In this manner, the real-time media stream may be seamlessly delivered to the on-board electronic device(s) despite a loss of connectivity due to the signal loss event.

Abstract: A method of for optimizing modem usage on a vehicle. The method includes determining that the vehicle is in one of a plurality of port states, where each of the plurality of port states being indicative of the vehicle being located proximate to a vehicle port. The method includes, based on the determination that the vehicle is in the one of the plurality of port states, causing a modem that is (i) operating in a bi-directional mode, and (ii) fixedly connected to the vehicle to be in a receive-only state. The method includes causing an establishment of a wireless communication link at the modem in the receive-only state. Further, the method includes using the wireless communication link as a forward link over which data is able to be received onto the vehicle while the vehicle is in the one of the plurality of port states.

Abstract: Techniques for delivering data or information to a vehicle include a method of distributing information to a vehicle. Information corresponding to the vehicle is first received while the vehicle is en route between an origination point and a destination from a computing device that is not being transported by the vehicle. A first computing device or a second computing device determines a destination port at which the vehicle is to arrive, the destination port included in a plurality of ports at which vehicles arrive and from which vehicles depart. The first computing devices causes data to be routed to a third computing device communicatively connected to the first computing device, the third computing device corresponding to the destination port, and at least one of the data or the third party computing device determined based on the information received at the first computing device.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for registering an electronic device of a subscriber for cellular-based communications. According to certain aspects, the cellular-based communications may be facilitated by a data center while the electronic device is not easily within range of a cellular network, such as when the electronic device is traveling on an aircraft. The registration includes associating a subscription identification of a cellular services plan with an identification of the electronic device, from which a registration server may create an account associated with the cellular-based communications. Further, the registration server may generate a digital certificate using the electronic device identification and issue the digital certificate to the electronic device.

Abstract: The captive portal environment exists where there is only a single available communication service that is available to the user. An example of a captive portal environment is on board an aircraft in flight, where the passengers have no access to any communication services, other than the aircraft resident wireless Local Area Network. The Restricted LAN Internet Access System functions in the aircraft to grant the user a temporary Internet session so they can download a prerequisite application from the Internet to make use of an application/service resident on the Restricted LAN in the aircraft.

Abstract: The Aircraft Mobile IP Address System provides wireless communication services to passengers who are located onboard an aircraft by storing data indicative of the individually identified wireless devices located onboard the aircraft. The System assigns a single IP address to each Point-to-Point Protocol link which connects the aircraft network to the ground-based communication network but also creates an IP subnet onboard the aircraft. The IP subnet utilizes a plurality of IP addresses for each Point-to-Point link thereby to enable each passenger wireless device to be uniquely identified with their own IP address. This is enabled since both Point-to-Point Protocol IPCP endpoints have pre-defined IP address pools and/or topology configured; each Point-to-Point Protocol endpoint can utilize a greater number of IP addresses than one per link. Such an approach does not change IPCP or other EVDO protocols/messaging but does allow this address to be directly visible to the ground-based communication network.

Abstract: The system and method alters the data delivery service plan of a subscriber in response to a network degradation event that negatively affects the subscriber's plan during transportation (e.g. in flight). In response to the subscriber's request, the system and method grants the subscriber access to the in-flight network and/or data during the flight. Additionally, the system and method monitors and detects network degradation events during the flight. If an event occurs that negatively affects the subscribers plan during the flight, the system and method determines a time extension for the subscriber to access the network and/or data based on the duration of the network degradation event. The system and method also modifies the subscriber's plan based on the determined time extension and notifies the subscriber about the network degradation event and plan modification. The plan modification may credit the subscriber additional time, data, and/or services.

Abstract: A method of caching communications for devices being transported by vehicles includes receiving, at a vehicle via a forward link, a message directed to the vehicle and a plurality of other vehicles. The message includes: (i) content to be delivered to a requesting mobile computing device being transported by the vehicle or one of the plurality of other vehicles, and (ii) an indication of at least some of the content to be cached in one or more computer readable storage media disposed on the vehicle. The method further includes determining if the requesting mobile computing device is being transported by the vehicle, and, if the requesting mobile computing device is being transported by the vehicle, forwarding at least some of the content to the requesting mobile computing device. At least some of the content is then stored on the one or more computer readable storage media disposed in the vehicle based on the indication of the least some of the content to be cached.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for facilitating text- and voice-based communications that are destined for an electronic device connected to a non-terrestrial network. According to certain aspects, the electronic device can be previously registered with a data center and can have an active service or product with the data center. A data center receives a communication request that is intended for the electronic device. The data center examines the communication request to identify the electronic device, and modifies the communication request to indicate an identification of the electronic device. The data center transmits the modified communication request to an on-board communications network system for delivery to the destination device.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for notifying an electronic device connected to a non-terrestrial communication network of a voice-based communication request that is intended for the electronic device. According to certain aspects, a data center can receive the voice-based communication request that is initiated by an originating device. The data center can generate a text message that indicates the voice-based communication request and transmit the text message to the non-terrestrial communications network for delivery to the destination electronic device. The text message can identify the originating electronic device and enable the user of the destination electronic device to send an additional text message to the originating electronic device.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for communicating with electronic devices traveling on an aircraft. According to certain aspects, a data center can examine registration data to identify a set of electronic devices that are traveling on a particular flight, and can retrieve relevant travel information associated with the set of electronic devices. In particular, the travel information may be general to the flight or may be related to a specific itinerary for one of the passengers. The data center may generate one or more text messages that are intended for one of more of the set of electronic devices. The data center may also transmit the text message(s) to an on-board network for delivery to the electronic device(s).

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for processing a voice-based communication request intended for a destination electronic device that is connected to an on-board communications network. According to certain aspects, a data center can receive the voice-based communication request that is initiated by an originating device. The data center can determine that the destination electronic device is registered with the on-board communications network and generate an audio unavailable message that indicates the unavailability of the destination electronic device. Using a communication channel that is established with the originating electronic device, the data center transmits the audio unavailable message to the originating electronic device to inform its user that the voice call cannot be connected.

Abstract: Data content that is to be utilized, as a whole, at a target device on-board a vehicle is apportioned for delivery onto the vehicle via multiple forward links, each of which is included in a different frequency band and/or used a different protocol. A mapping or selection of a specific portion of the data content for a specific forward link may based on a data content type of the specific portion, as well as on other dynamic or static criteria. The target device may operate on the subsets of the data content as it receives each subset. Thus, time critical/foundational portions of the data content may be delivered using a faster forward link, larger elements of the data content may be delivered using a higher-bandwidth forward link, and/or portions of the data content requiring a higher degree of accuracy may be delivered using a more robust forward link, for example.

Abstract: A radome having localized areas of reduced radio signal attenuation includes a body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a reduced radio signal attenuation property in a transmit band and a second portion has a reduced radio signal attenuation property in a reception band.