Abstract: A communication network for monitoring node state within a chain based network that includes a first base-station configured to transmit a ping signal and a plurality of nodes each configured to receive the ping signal, send an acknowledgement signal upon receipt of the ping signal and transmit the ping signal. The communication network also includes a second base-station configured to receive the ping signal and transmit data related to the plurality of nodes based on the ping signal.

Abstract: Service cells are provided for wireless communication between user equipment and a core network. An aerial vehicle provides service cells for wireless communication between user equipment (UE) and a core network. A plurality of listening cells are provided across a service area associated with an aerial vehicle, and user equipment located in the service area are associated with at least one listening cell. It is determined which listening cells are qualifying listening cells that are listening cells that satisfy at least one predetermined condition, and subsequently at least one service cell in the service area is provided for each qualifying listening cell.

Abstract: A method is described for allocating a frequency resource, from a set E of frequency resources, to at least one terminal positioned in a region of a cell belonging to a cellular network. The method includes, after the terminal sends a request for allocation of a frequency resource, identifying the cell and the region which are associated with said at least one terminal, verifying the availability of at least one frequency resource in a table comprising values respectively associated with the resources of the set E, and if at least one frequency resource is available, executing a reinforcement learning algorithm based on the value or values associated with said at least one available frequency resource, so as to select a resource for said at least one terminal.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a connection of mobile user equipment to a core network, and a communication network are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a multi-channel communication link between a user equipment at a first location and a plurality of aerial vehicles, determining that the user equipment is moving whereby a loss of connectivity via the multi-channel communication link may occur, and subsequently, via a handover step, transferring communication between the user equipment and a core network from communication via the multi-channel communication link to communication via a single channel communication link provided by a respective aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A method for connecting a mobile user equipment to a core network, and a communication network are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a single channel communication link between a user equipment and one of a plurality of aerial vehicles, via the plurality of aerial vehicles, providing a multi-channel communication link with the user equipment, and subsequently, via a handover step, transferring communication between the user equipment and a core network from communication via the single channel communication link to communication via the multi-channel communication link.

Abstract: A communication network, a method of determining at least one propagation characteristic, and a method of wireless communication are disclosed. The communication network comprises a plurality of aerial vehicles that each supports at least one respective directional antenna, and a processing element for determining at least one propagation characteristic for each respective wireless communication channel between at least one user equipment and each aerial vehicle of the plurality of aerial vehicles.

Abstract: A fleet of high altitude platforms (HAPs) arranged to provide information services to a service area, each SHHAP comprising at least one phased array antenna and in communication with a telecommunications backhaul system, the service area comprising at least 100,000 items of user equipment (UE), and wherein the service area comprises a non-uniform data requirement distribution, comprising areas of both higher and lower data rate requirements, and wherein the SHHAPs are positioned with a non-uniform spacing such that the SHHAPs are positioned closer together over areas of higher data rate requirements than over areas of lower data rate requirements.

Abstract: A communication network, a method of determining at least one propagation characteristic, and a method of wireless communication are disclosed. The communication network comprises a plurality of aerial vehicles that each supports at least one respective directional antenna, and a processing element for determining at least one propagation characteristic for each respective wireless communication channel between at least one user equipment and each aerial vehicle of the plurality of aerial vehicles.

Abstract: A method for connecting a mobile user equipment to a core network, and a communication network are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a single channel communication link between a user equipment and one of a plurality of aerial vehicles, via the plurality of aerial vehicles, providing a multi-channel communication link with the user equipment, and subsequently, via a handover step, transferring communication between the user equipment and a core network from communication via the single channel communication link to communication via the multi-channel communication link.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a connection of mobile user equipment to a core network, and a communication network are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a multi-channel communication link between a user equipment at a first location and a plurality of aerial vehicles, determining that the user equipment is moving whereby a loss of connectivity via the multi-channel communication link may occur, and subsequently, via a handover step, transferring communication between the user equipment and a core network from communication via the multi-channel communication link to communication via a single channel communication link provided by a respective aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A control system for a suspension height adjustment mechanism of a vehicle. The suspension height adjustment mechanism comprises a front suspension height adjustment mechanism at a front end of the vehicle and a rear suspension height adjustment mechanism at a rear end of the vehicle. The control system is configured to control the suspension height adjustment mechanism in response to user-generated control signals to: increase the height of at least the rear end of the vehicle to a first predetermined vehicle height corresponding to a High tow hitch height; and decrease the height of at least the rear end of the vehicle to a second predetermined vehicle height corresponding to a Low tow hitch height. Both the first and second predetermined vehicle heights are accessible from one or more other vehicle height that is different to the first and second predetermined heights.

Abstract: A control system for a suspension height adjustment mechanism of a vehicle. The suspension height adjustment mechanism comprises a front suspension height adjustment mechanism at a front end of the vehicle and a rear suspension height adjustment mechanism at a rear end of the vehicle. The control system is configured to control the suspension height adjustment mechanism in response to user-generated control signals to: increase the height of at least the rear end of the vehicle to a first predetermined vehicle height corresponding to a High tow hitch height; and decrease the height of at least the rear end of the vehicle to a second predetermined vehicle height corresponding to a Low tow hitch height. Both the first and second predetermined vehicle heights are accessible from one or more other vehicle height that is different to the first and second predetermined heights.

Abstract: A communication network for monitoring node state within a chain based network that includes a first base-station configured to transmit a ping signal and a plurality of nodes each configured to receive the ping signal, send an acknowledgement signal upon receipt of the ping signal and transmit the ping signal. The communication network also includes a second base-station configured to receive the ping signal and transmit data related to the plurality of nodes based on the ping signal.

Abstract: A ride-height adjustment system for a vehicle. The system has a first detector, to detect a preliminary end-of-journey (EOJ) event, such as seat belt unbuckling or ignition switch-off. A controller adjusts the vehicle's suspension system in a first movement in response to detection of the preliminary EOJ event, to change the ride height of the vehicle towards an access ride height of the vehicle. The access ride height is a predetermined ride height that facilitates egress from and entrance to the vehicle. A second detector detects opening of a door of the vehicle. When the ride height of the vehicle remains different from the access ride height after the first movement, the controller adjusts the suspension system in a second movement in response to the door-opening detection. This further changes the ride height of the vehicle towards the access ride height of the vehicle.

Abstract: A communication network comprising a plurality of base stations arranged to communicate data to and from a plurality of mobile devices, and at least one first base station operable to establish a first wireless communication link with a selected mobile device from the plurality of mobile devices, said first wireless communication link enabling the selected mobile device to simultaneously provide further wireless communication links to two or more mobile devices for communicating data via the first wireless communication link.

Abstract: The use of phased array antennas in ground based or low altitude user equipment linked to high altitude aerial platforms also utilizing sparse phased-array antennas (uniform and non-uniform), which enables the delivery of information services, including telecommunications, earth observation, astronomical and positioning services with higher data rates, lower weight, power consumption and sidelobe levels than for other antenna arrangements.

Abstract: The use of phased array antennas in ground based or low altitude user equipment linked to high altitude aerial platforms also utilizing sparse phased-array antennas (uniform and non-uniform), which enables the delivery of information services, including telecommunications, earth observation, astronomical and positioning services with higher data rates, lower weight, power consumption and sidelobe levels than for other antenna arrangements.

Abstract: A ride-height adjustment system for a vehicle. The system has a first detector, to detect a preliminary end-of-journey (EOJ) event, such as seat belt unbuckling or ignition switch-off. A controller adjusts the vehicle's suspension system in a first movement in response to detection of the preliminary EOJ event, to change the ride height of the vehicle towards an access ride height of the vehicle. The access ride height is a predetermined ride height that facilitates egress from and entrance to the vehicle. A second detector detects opening of a door of the vehicle. When the ride height of the vehicle remains different from the access ride height after the first movement, the controller adjusts the suspension system in a second movement in response to the door-opening detection. This further changes the ride height of the vehicle towards the access ride height of the vehicle.

Abstract: A communication network comprising a plurality of base stations arranged to communicate data to and from a plurality of mobile devices, and at least one first base station operable to establish a first wireless communication link with a selected mobile device from the plurality of mobile devices, said first wireless communication link enabling the selected mobile device to simultaneously provide further wireless communication links to two or more mobile devices for communicating data via the first wireless communication link.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating a party static token to be used in combination with a party dynamic token for identifying a party to a host system. Identification information that identifies the party to the host system is received. Such identification information includes a host dynamic token and a host static token. A false host dynamic token that differs from the host dynamic token is generated. The host dynamic token and the false host dynamic token are encrypted. In addition, information that uniquely identifies the party dynamic token is encrypted. The party static token is produced from a combination of the encrypted host dynamic token, the encrypted false host dynamic token, and the encrypted information that uniquely identifies the party dynamic token.