Abstract: The present invention uses a VDL Mode 4 RF network as the primary transmission path for data transmitted from aircraft to ground stations, and one or more separate non-VDL Mode 4 RF network(s) as the primary transmission path for data transmitted from ground stations to aircraft. The unique characteristics of each network provide for a cost-effective solution to the two-way aeronautical networking problem.

Abstract: A networking architecture for air/ground data communications which implements a single network-layer protocol between a customer aircraft network interface and a customer ground system network interface, which routes data between customer aircraft and associated customer ground systems, and which eliminates the need for network-layer protocol conversion by service provider ground systems.

Abstract: A time-phased deployment and implementation method for a new end-to-end network architecture intended to support data communications between customer aircraft and customer ground facilities. The time-phased deployment and implementation method allows graceful upgrade of services by customers, reduces technical and operational risk associated with new services, and enables cost-saving features such as network emulation and store-and-forward capability which would not otherwise be available. In one embodiment, the present invention enhances overall quality of service by allowing operation in either of two service provider networks depending on network availability.

Abstract: This invention is an application of antenna diversity and two or more multi-channel radios, with a novel cooperative sharing strategy among the multi-channel radios, to aeronautical packet data communications and other communications. It offers the following benefits: enhanced data communications performance in a fading environment; enhanced data communications performance at long range; enhanced data communications performance in the presence of cochannel interference; extendable to an arbitrary number of cooperating peer radios; no single point of failure; no increase in pilot workload or change in operational procedures.

Abstract: The present invention uses a VDL/4 RF network to support out-of-band signaling for a separate RF network.

Abstract: A hybrid radio apparatus for a mobile radio station capable of operating in at least two different radio networks, employing at least two different protocols, said hybrid radio apparatus comprising a hybridization module for at least one of the networks (network A) and the normal radio equipment for at least one other of the networks (network B), said hybridization module comprising the electronics and software necessary to emulate some or all of the protocols of network A, and communicating at an appropriate peer level with the network B protocols resident in the hybrid radio apparatus. The hybrid radio apparatus may be installed in several configurations of ancillary equipment, offering the potential to communicate via one network or more than one network, as well as the potential to provide a human interface and management unit for one network or more than one network.

Abstract: The present invention uses selected network management data transmitted within VDL/4 RF subnetworks, or information derived from network management data transmitted within VDL/4 subnetworks, to efficiently manage a non-VDL/4 RF subnetwork or set of subnetworks.