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 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.