Abstract: An ad-hoc communication network including at least two vehicles such as at least two aircraft. Each vehicle includes surveillance equipment, a surveillance transmitter, a surveillance receiver, a communication management function (CMF), a communication transmitter, and a communication receiver. The surveillance equipment is configured to generate at least position and ID information. The surveillance transmitter is configured to transmit the at least position and ID information. The surveillance receiver is configured to receive at least position and ID information from other vehicles. The communication management function (CMF) is configured to determine a network topology based on the received at least position and ID information and determine a route for a communication signal based on the determined network topology and the communication transmitter is configured to transmit the communication signals to a select communication receiver pursuant to the determined route.

Abstract: Methods and systems of operating a communication system are provided. One method comprises establishing at least one communication link between a mobile-to-mobile communication network of mobile nodes and at least one route computing system via gateway node. The gateway node is one of the mobile nodes that is in communication with a wireless network. Moreover, the route computing system is in communication with a terrestrial network that is also in communication with the wireless network. The at least one established communication link is then used to communicate messages.

Abstract: Methods and systems of operating a communication system are provided. One method comprises establishing at least one communication link between a mobile-to-mobile communication network of mobile nodes and at least one route computing system via gateway node. The gateway node is one of the mobile nodes that is in communication with a wireless network. Moreover, the route computing system is in communication with a terrestrial network that is also in communication with the wireless network. The at least one established communication link is then used to communicate messages.

Abstract: An ad-hoc communication network including at least two vehicles such as at least two aircraft. Each vehicle includes surveillance equipment, a surveillance transmitter, a surveillance receiver, a communication management function (CMF), a communication transmitter, and a communication receiver. The surveillance equipment is configured to generate at least position and ID information. The surveillance transmitter is configured to transmit the at least position and ID information. The surveillance receiver is configured to receive at least position and ID information from other vehicles. The communication management function (CMF) is configured to determine a network topology based on the received at least position and ID information and determine a route for a communication signal based on the determined network topology and the communication transmitter is configured to transmit the communication signals to a select communication receiver pursuant to the determined route.

Abstract: ACARS systems and methods for compiling messages includes a processing device configured for mapping eight-bit characters in an eight-bit character stream into a six bit map to create a generally six-bit character stream. The processing device is further configured for encoding the generally six-bit character stream into an eight-bit character stream. Optionally, the processing device includes a look-up table configured to retrieve substituted six-bit characters in response to the presence of the eight-bit character received at a processor.