Abstract: A system and method for scalable processing of a received radio frequency beamform signal is provided. Such a system and methods is useful in conjunction with long range communication between an airborne platform and a surface base station. The scalable system includes a plurality of antenna elements for receiving a directional beam, including a multiplexed data stream, from a base station. A down converter and analog to digital (A-D) converter may then down convert and digitize the multiplexed data stream. A digital splitter may de-multiplex the multiplexed data stream into multiple data streams which are orthogonal to one another. The de-multiplexing may be performed using a fast Fourier transformation on the multiplexed data stream. In these embodiments, the digital splitter divides the multiplexed data stream into frequency groups to de-multiplexing the multiplexed data stream into multiple data streams.

Abstract: A system and method for media access control optimization for long distance wireless communication between an airborne platform and a surface base station is provided. The system includes receiving an incoming beamform signal. The incoming beamform signal includes a data portion and a token. It is possible, in some embodiments, that the data portion and the token are independently modulated. The token identifies a subsequent transmitter by including any of: an identification of which transmitter is to transmit next, length of time the next transmitter should transmit for, and transmit timing data. The system may then transmit an outgoing beamform signal including a data portion and a token. After which the system may wait for a return transmission, or a timeout. The system may also be enabled, in some embodiments, to maintain a list of active transmitters. This list of active transmitters may be updated periodically by adding and removing particular transmitters according to successful response transmissions.