Patents Assigned to Smartsky Networks LLC
  • Patent number: 9692468
    Abstract: A method of enhancing wireless communication performance includes receiving information indicative of a local interferer where the local interferer is identified based on dynamic position information indicative of a position of at least one mobile communication node, performing noise cancellation relative to a received signal by removing an interference signal associated with the local interferer to generate a scrubbed signal, and providing the scrubbed signal for additional signal processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SMARTSKY NETWORKS, LLC
    Inventors: Elbert Stanford Eskridge, Jr., Gerard James Hayes, Koichiro Takamizawa, Joe Klein
  • Patent number: 9627778
    Abstract: An air-to-ground network communication device may include a conductive groundplane and an antenna element. The conductive groundplane may be disposed to be substantially parallel to a surface of the earth. The antenna element may extend substantially perpendicularly away from the groundplane and may have an effective length between about 1?, to about 1.5?. The antenna element may be disposed at a distance of about 0.5? to about 1? from the groundplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SMARTSKY NETWORKS LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Schmidt, Gerard James Hayes
  • Patent number: 9503912
    Abstract: Aspects described herein relate to a network for providing air-to-ground wireless communication in various cells. The network includes a first base station array, each base station of which includes a respective first antenna array defining a directional radiation pattern that is oriented in a first direction, wherein each base station of the first base station array is disposed spaced apart from another base station of the first base station array along the first direction by a first distance. The network also includes a similar second base station array where the second base station array extends substantially parallel to the first base station array and is spaced apart from the first base station array by a second distance to form continuous and at least partially overlapping cell coverage areas between respective base stations of the first and second base station arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: SMARTSKY NETWORKS LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Hyslop, Andrew P. Caplan, Mike Dodson
  • Patent number: 9497640
    Abstract: Aspects described herein relate to a base station for providing air-to-ground wireless communication over various altitudes. The base station includes a first antenna array comprising one or more antennas configured to form a first cell coverage area extending substantially from a horizon up to a first elevation angle away from the first antenna array to a predetermined distance from the first antenna array. The base station further includes a second antenna array configured at an uptilt elevation angle to form a second cell coverage area extending at least from the first elevation angle to a second elevation away from the second antenna array, wherein the first cell coverage area and the second cell coverage area are concentric to define the ATG cell at least to the predetermined distance and up to a predetermined elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Smartsky Networks LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Hyslop, Andrew P. Caplan
  • Patent number: 9491635
    Abstract: A network for providing air-to-ground (ATG) wireless communication in various cells may include an in-flight aircraft including an antenna assembly, a plurality of ATG base stations, a plurality of terrestrial base stations. Each of the ATG base stations defines a corresponding radiation pattern, and the ATG base stations are spaced apart from each other to define at least partially overlapping coverage areas to communicate with the antenna assembly in an ATG communication layer defined between a first altitude and a second altitude. The terrestrial base stations are configured to communicate primarily in a ground communication layer below the first altitude. The terrestrial base stations and the ATG base stations are each configured to communicate using the same radio frequency (RF) spectrum in the ground communication layer and ATG communication layer, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: SMARTSKY NETWORKS LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Hyslop, Ryan M. Stone
  • Patent number: 9444132
    Abstract: An aircraft communications system may include a RF-transparent enclosure, a plasma antenna element and a controller. The RF-transparent enclosure may be disposed substantially conformal with a portion of the aircraft. The plasma antenna element may be housed within the RF-transparent enclosure. The controller may be operably coupled to the plasma antenna element to provide control of operation of the plasma antenna element. The plasma antenna element may include one or more RF-conductive plasma devices that are selectively ionized to a plasma state under control of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: SMARTSKY NETWORKS LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Mitchell Stone, Elbert Stanford Eskridge, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9380465
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating a network design based on existing network assets. One or more parameters regarding a plurality of existing wireless network assets used to provide support for a wireless communication technology can be determined. The plurality of existing wireless network assets are automatically analyzed for supporting equipment of a new wireless communication technology at least in part by comparing a set of specified criteria to the one or more parameters to determine a subset of the plurality of existing wireless network assets. An indication of the subset of the plurality of existing wireless network assets for supporting the equipment of the new wireless communication technology can accordingly be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: SMARTSKY NETWORKS LLC
    Inventor: Mike Dodson
  • Patent number: 9325793
    Abstract: An information manager may include processing circuitry configured to receive dynamic aircraft information associated with operation of an in-flight aircraft, receive a message from a communication device on the in-flight aircraft for transmission to a ground based content server via a wireless communication network capable of communicating with in-flight assets, and generate an aviation cookie for communication to the content server along with the message. The aviation cookie may be generated based on the dynamic aircraft information and may enable the content server to generate content based at least in part on the dynamic aircraft information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: SMARTSKY NETWORKS LLC
    Inventors: Ryan M. Stone, Blane E. Rockafellow, Elbert Stanford Eskridge, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9312947
    Abstract: A network for providing high speed data communications may include multiple terrestrial transmission stations that are located within overlapping communications range and a mobile receiver station. The terrestrial transmission stations provide a continuous and uninterrupted high speed data communications link with the mobile receiver station employing a wireless radio access network protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: SMARTSKY NETWORKS, LLC
    Inventor: Donald L. Alcorn
  • Patent number: 9293830
    Abstract: An air-to-ground network communication device may include a conductive groundplane and an antenna element. The conductive groundplane may be disposed to be substantially parallel to a surface of the earth. The antenna element may extend substantially perpendicularly away from the groundplane and may have an effective length between about 1? to about 1.5?. The antenna element may be disposed at a distance of about 0.5? to about 1? from the groundplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SMARTSKY NETWORKS LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Schmidt, Gerard James Hayes
  • Patent number: 9294933
    Abstract: Aspects described herein relate to a network for providing air-to-ground wireless communication in various cells. The network includes a first base station array, each base station of which includes a respective first antenna array defining a directional radiation pattern that is oriented in a first direction, wherein each base station of the first base station array is disposed spaced apart from another base station of the first base station array along the first direction by a first distance. The network also includes a similar second base station array where the second base station array extends substantially parallel to the first base station array and is spaced apart from the first base station array by a second distance to form continuous and at least partially overlapping cell coverage areas between respective base stations of the first and second base station arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SMARTSKY NETWORKS LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Hyslop, Andrew P. Caplan, Mike Dodson
  • Patent number: 9277420
    Abstract: Aspects described herein relate to a base station for providing air-to-ground wireless communication over various altitudes. The base station includes a first antenna array comprising one or more antennas configured to form a first cell coverage area extending substantially from a horizon up to a first elevation angle away from the first antenna array to a predetermined distance from the first antenna array. The base station further includes a second antenna array configured at an uptilt elevation angle to form a second cell coverage area extending at least from the first elevation angle to a second elevation away from the second antenna array, wherein the first cell coverage area and the second cell coverage area are concentric to define the ATG cell at least to the predetermined distance and up to a predetermined elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: SMARTSKY NETWORKS LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Hyslop, Andrew P. Caplan
  • Patent number: 9014704
    Abstract: Aspects described herein relate to a base station for providing air-to-ground wireless communication over various altitudes. The base station includes a first antenna array comprising one or more antennas configured to form a first cell coverage area extending substantially from a horizon up to a first elevation angle away from the first antenna array to a predetermined distance from the first antenna array. The base station further includes a second antenna array configured at an uptilt elevation angle to form a second cell coverage area extending at least from the first elevation angle to a second elevation away from the second antenna array, wherein the first cell coverage area and the second cell coverage area are concentric to define the ATG cell at least to the predetermined distance and up to a predetermined elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Smartsky Networks LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Hyslop, Andrew P. Caplan
  • Patent number: 9008669
    Abstract: Aspects described herein relate to a network for providing air-to-ground wireless communication in various cells. The network includes a first base station array, each base station of which includes a respective first antenna array defining a directional radiation pattern that is oriented in a first direction, wherein each base station of the first base station array is disposed spaced apart from another base station of the first base station array along the first direction by a first distance. The network also includes a similar second base station array where the second base station array extends substantially parallel to the first base station array and is spaced apart from the first base station array by a second distance to form continuous and at least partially overlapping cell coverage areas between respective base stations of the first and second base station arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Smartsky Networks LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Hyslop, Andrew P. Caplan, Mike Dodson
  • Patent number: 8922436
    Abstract: An aircraft communications system may include a RF-transparent enclosure, a plasma antenna element and a controller. The RF-transparent enclosure may be disposed substantially conformal with a portion of the aircraft. The plasma antenna element may be housed within the RF-transparent enclosure. The controller may be operably coupled to the plasma antenna element to provide control of operation of the plasma antenna element. The plasma antenna element may include one or more RF-conductive plasma devices that are selectively ionized to a plasma state under control of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Smartsky Networks LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Mitchell Stone, Elbert Stanford Eskridge, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140333485
    Abstract: An aircraft communications system may include a RF-transparent enclosure, a plasma antenna element and a controller. The RF-transparent enclosure may be disposed substantially conformal with a portion of the aircraft. The plasma antenna element may be housed within the RF-transparent enclosure. The controller may be operably coupled to the plasma antenna element to provide control of operation of the plasma antenna element. The plasma antenna element may include one or more RF-conductive plasma devices that are selectively ionized to a plasma state under control of the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Smartsky Networks, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Mitchell Stone, Elbert Stanford Eskridge, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140328421
    Abstract: A network for providing high speed data communications may include multiple terrestrial transmission stations that are located within overlapping communications range and a mobile receiver station. The terrestrial transmission stations provide a continuous and uninterrupted high speed data communications link with the mobile receiver station employing a wireless radio access network protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Smartsky Network LLC
    Inventor: Smartsky Network LLC
  • Patent number: 8880060
    Abstract: A network for providing high speed data communications may include multiple terrestrial transmission stations that are located within overlapping communications range and a mobile receiver station. The terrestrial transmission stations provide a continuous and uninterrupted high speed data communications link with the mobile receiver station employing a wireless radio access network protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Smartsky Networks LLC
    Inventor: Donald Alcorn
  • Publication number: 20140274076
    Abstract: Aspects described herein relate to a base station for providing air-to-ground wireless communication over various altitudes. The base station includes a first antenna array comprising one or more antennas configured to form a first cell coverage area extending substantially from a horizon up to a first elevation angle away from the first antenna array to a predetermined distance from the first antenna array. The base station further includes a second antenna array configured at an uptilt elevation angle to form a second cell coverage area extending at least from the first elevation angle to a second elevation away from the second antenna array, wherein the first cell coverage area and the second cell coverage area are concentric to define the ATG cell at least to the predetermined distance and up to a predetermined elevation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SMARTSKY NETWORKS LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Hyslop, Andrew P. Caplan
  • Publication number: 20140274074
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating a network design based on existing network assets. One or more parameters regarding a plurality of existing wireless network assets used to provide support for a wireless communication technology can be determined. The plurality of existing wireless network assets are automatically analyzed for supporting equipment of a new wireless communication technology at least in part by comparing a set of specified criteria to the one or more parameters to determine a subset of the plurality of existing wireless network assets. An indication of the subset of the plurality of existing wireless network assets for supporting the equipment of the new wireless communication technology can accordingly be generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Smartsky Networks LLC
    Inventor: Mike Dodson