Abstract: The Multi-Link Aircraft Cellular System makes use of multiple physically separated antennas mounted on the aircraft, as well as the use of additional optional signal isolation and optimization techniques to improve the call handling capacity of the Air-To-Ground cellular communications network. These additional techniques can include polarization domain and ground antenna pattern shaping (in azimuth, in elevation, or in both planes). Further, if code domain separation is added, dramatic increases in capacity are realized. Thus, the Air-To-Ground cellular communications network can increase its capacity on a per aircraft basis by sharing its traffic load among more than one cell or sector and by making use of multiple physically separated antennas mounted on the aircraft, as well as the use of additional optional signal isolation and optimization techniques.

Abstract: The Multi-Link Aircraft Cellular System makes use of multiple physically separated antennas mounted on the aircraft, as well as the use of additional optional signal isolation and optimization techniques to improve the call handling capacity of the Air-To-Ground cellular communications network. These additional techniques can include polarization domain and ground antenna pattern shaping (in azimuth, in elevation, or in both planes). Further, if code domain separation is added, dramatic increases in capacity are realized. Thus, the Air-To-Ground cellular communications network can increase its capacity on a per aircraft basis by sharing its traffic load among more than one cell or sector and by making use of multiple physically separated antennas mounted on the aircraft, as well as the use of additional optional signal isolation and optimization techniques.

Abstract: The Multi-Link Aircraft Cellular System makes use of multiple physically separated antennas mounted on the aircraft, as well as the use of additional optional signal isolation and optimization techniques to improve the call handling capacity of the Air-To-Ground cellular communications network. These additional techniques can include polarization domain and ground antenna pattern shaping (in azimuth, in elevation, or in both planes). Further, if code domain separation is added, dramatic increases in capacity are realized. Thus, the Air-To-Ground cellular communications network can increase its capacity on a per aircraft basis by sharing its traffic load among more than one cell or sector and by making use of multiple physically separated antennas mounted on the aircraft, as well as the use of additional optional signal isolation and optimization techniques.

Abstract: The present non-terrestrial feature transparency system spoofs the Air-to-Ground Network and the ground-based cellular communication network into thinking that the wireless subscriber devices have no special considerations associated with their operation, even though the wireless subscriber devices are located on an aircraft in flight. This architecture requires that the non-terrestrial feature transparency system on board the aircraft replicate the full functionality of a given wireless subscriber device, that has a certain predetermined feature set from a ground-based wireless service provider, at another wireless subscriber device located within the aircraft. This mirroring of wireless subscriber device attributes enables a localized cell for in-cabin communication yet retains the same wireless subscriber device attributes for the air-to-ground link.

Abstract: The handoff management system maximizes the communications capacity available from terrestrial air-to-ground cellular networks, while also integrating communications capabilities from satellite air-to-ground cellular networks and terrestrial cellular communications networks. The communications capacity is maximized by dynamically allocating communications from the aircraft over multiple communications channels to multiple cells of the terrestrial air-to-ground cellular network, and to satellite air-to-ground cellular networks and terrestrial mobile networks. This approach effectively provides an increase in the call handling capacity available to any aircraft and permits a gradual transition of communications from one cell to the next cell, rather than requiring an abrupt handover of all traffic from the aircraft from one cell to the next cell.

Abstract: The present non-terrestrial feature transparency system spoofs the Air-to-Ground Network and the ground-based cellular communication network into thinking that the wireless subscriber devices have no special considerations associated with their operation, even though the wireless subscriber devices are located on an aircraft in flight. This architecture requires that the non-terrestrial feature transparency system on board the aircraft replicate the full functionality of a given wireless subscriber device, that has a certain predetermined feature set from a ground-based wireless service provider, at another wireless subscriber device located within the aircraft. This mirroring of wireless subscriber device attributes enables a localized cell for in-cabin communication yet retains the same wireless subscriber device attributes for the air-to-ground link.

Abstract: The handoff management system maximizes the communications capacity available from terrestrial air-to-ground cellular networks, while also integrating communications capabilities from satellite air-to-ground cellular networks and terrestrial cellular communications networks. The communications capacity is maximized by dynamically allocating communications from the aircraft over multiple communications channels to multiple cells of the terrestrial air-to-ground cellular network, and to satellite air-to-ground cellular networks and terrestrial mobile networks. This approach effectively provides an increase in the call handling capacity available to any aircraft and permits a gradual transition of communications from one cell to the next cell, rather than requiring an abrupt handover of all traffic from the aircraft from one cell to the next cell.

Abstract: The overlapping spectrum cellular communication network functions to provide multiple cellular communication systems in the same spectrum as the existing NATS-based cellular communication system, while also providing wideband services to subscribers. This is accomplished by enabling two system operators to each have a dedicated 1.25 MHz slice of the NATS spectrum. However, given that there is only 2 MHz available, this results in a 0.50 MHz overlap of 1.25 MHz carriers. To mitigate the inter-network overlap and the potential for interference between the two systems, the overlapping spectrum cellular communication network swaps forward and reverse path allocations on a per system basis.

Abstract: The air-to-ground cellular network for deck-to-deck call coverage provides call coverage to customers who are located in aircraft that are flying within the arrival/departure airspace of an airport by trifurcating the spatial coverage regions or volumes of space to solve the problems of inter-network interference while yielding air-to-ground cellular network coverage at any altitude. Three types of cells are considered: an Outer Cell, an Inner Cell and an Airport Cell. The Outer Cell is a macro cell covering a large volume of space and is one of many cells in the composite air-to-ground cellular network. The Inner Cell is created within an Outer Cell and has at its center an airport. The Airport Cell is a part of the Terrestrial Cellular Network (TCN), created by the present terrestrial cellular operators or service providers.

Abstract: The handoff management system maximizes the communications capacity available from terrestrial air-to-ground cellular networks, while also integrating communications capabilities from satellite air-to-ground cellular networks and terrestrial cellular communications networks. The communications capacity is maximized by dynamically allocating communications from the aircraft over multiple communications channels to multiple cells of the terrestrial air-to-ground cellular network, and to satellite air-to-ground cellular networks and terrestrial mobile networks. This approach effectively provides an increase in the call handling capacity available to any aircraft and permits a gradual transition of communications from one cell to the next cell, rather than requiring an abrupt handover of all traffic from the aircraft from one cell to the next cell.

Abstract: The virtual private network for cellular communications implements a secure local area voice and data network for use by members of an organization, such as a corporate customer. The virtual private network is implemented in the existing non-terrestrial cellular communications network in the form of software and routing tables that isolate the calls in the virtual private network from the existing cellular communications network infrastructure. This isolation can be effected, for example, by assigning fictitious station identifiers, such as telephone numbers, to the cellular subscriber stations served by the virtual private network. These fictitious numbers are identified by the gateway cellular switch that serves a customer's facility as subscribers served by the virtual private network.

Abstract: The aircraft-based network for wireless subscriber stations provides wireless telecommunication services in the aircraft for both the terrestrial (ground-based) and non-terrestrial regions via the use of an aircraft based network. In addition, the aircraft-based network for wireless subscriber stations implements data transmission capabilities for use in the aircraft to provide Flight Information Services, real time monitoring of aircraft operation, as well as enhanced data communication services for the passengers in the aircraft. These wireless communications can be among aircraft occupants as well as between aircraft occupants and other destinations. This data communications capability of the aircraft-based network for wireless subscriber stations can be used to link the aircraft and its occupants to a private data communication network as well as to provide access to public data communication networks, such as the Internet.

Abstract: The signal translating repeater is located in the aircraft and enables a traditional ground-based mobile subscriber station to provide wireless telecommunication services to a subscriber in both the terrestrial (ground-based) and non-terrestrial regions. The signal translating repeater receives frequency translated cell site cellular signals, comprising cellular radio frequency communication signals from a cell site that are in a mode compatible with ground-based cellular communications but shifted in frequency from the standard ground-based cellular radio frequency communication signals to other radio frequencies that are allocated for non-terrestrial cellular communications.

Abstract: The present signal translating repeater is located in an aircraft and provides service to mobile subscriber stations that are located in the aircraft, using the ground-based cellular communication paradigm. The present signal translating repeater converts these ground-based cellular communication signals into signals pursuant to the non-terrestrial cellular telecommunication format and transmits these signals to the non-terrestrial cell site(s) presently serving the aircraft. In this manner, the subscribers in the aircraft can use their existing ground-based mobile subscriber stations in a manner that is consistent with use in communicating with the ground-based cell sites, while the aircraft communicates with the non-terrestrial cell site(s) presently serving the aircraft in a manner that is consistent with non-terrestrial mobile subscriber stations.

Abstract: The ubiquitous mobile subscriber station of the present invention enables the subscriber to receive wireless cellular mobile telecommunication services in a unified manner in both the terrestrial (ground-based) and non-terrestrial regions. The ubiquitous mobile subscriber station extends the usage of existing cellular mobile telecommunication frequencies allocated for ground-based cellular communications to non-terrestrial cellular communications in a manner that avoids the possibility of signal interference between the ground-based and non-terrestrial mobile subscriber stations. In particular, the ubiquitous mobile subscriber station automatically transitions between the communications paradigm used in ground-based cellular communications and the communications paradigm used in non-terrestrial cellular communications as a function of the present location of the ubiquitous mobile subscriber station.

Abstract: The Doppler insensitive non-terrestrial digital cellular communications network ensures that, independent of the aircraft direction and apparent velocity of the mobile subscriber station, at least one and very likely two cells/antennas, carry the call even though other cells/antennas in the non-terrestrial digital cellular communications network encounter an apparent velocity of the mobile subscriber station which disables system operation. Since the architecture of the non-terrestrial digital cellular communications network and the non-terrestrial communication application have a common element, namely altitude, it is also possible to minimize the Doppler/capacity problem by segmenting the non-terrestrial space into layers, or PN code words. This topology makes use of spatial diversity in the elevation plane, or “Z direction” to ensure that at least one and very likely two layers, can carry the call.

Abstract: The virtual private network for cellular communications implements a secure local area voice and data network for use by members of an organization, such as a corporate customer. The virtual private network is implemented in the existing non-terrestrial cellular communications network in the form of software and routing tables that isolate the calls in the virtual private network from the existing cellular communications network infrastructure. This isolation can be effected, for example, by assigning fictitious station identifiers, such as telephone numbers, to the cellular subscriber stations served by the virtual private network. These fictitious numbers are identified by the gateway cellular switch that serves a customer's facility as subscribers served by the virtual private network.

Abstract: A slotted wave-guide antenna is attached low on a cellular phone tower. Horizontally polarize radiation in a toroidal pattern from the wave-guide antenna is used to communicate with aircraft. The wave-guide antenna radiation pattern is about 6.degree. thick. An antenna on top of the tower transmits vertically polarized radiation to communicate with automobiles and pedestrians.

Abstract: Electromagnetic radiation from lightning is detected at a ground station which is part of a cellular network of stations; a computer determines a position of a thunderstorm associated with the lightning, then compiles and stores the storm location data. A user aircraft transmits, via cellular telephone equipment or direct radio link, a request for information together with a user identification number. After validation of the user number weather data is transmitted to the aircraft where a microcomputer processes the weather data to correct for the aircraft's position and heading, then displays storm locations relative to the aircraft. The display may incorporate radar data and satellite photographs of cloud formations. In-flight weather notices are transmitted in addition to the storm location data.

Abstract: Aircraft communications are established on a cellular system by having the transmission to aircraft directed above ground level so as not to interfere with ground cellular systems and having the transmissions from the aircraft at extreme low power levels so as not to interfere with transmissions from ground vehicles. The location of mobile stations either aircraft or ground vehicles for one embodiment is determined by Loran reception or other radio navigation system in the mobile station and transmitted to a mobile switching center to be used in transferring control from cell to cell by use of the determined location of the mobile station. For another embodiment the antennae for aircraft (both base station and mobile) are horizontally oriented while ground vehicle antennae (both base station and mobile) are vertical as in present commercial practice.