Methods, apparatus and system for extended wireless communications

An apparatus for providing extended wireless communications, comprising:

• a first controller able to elevate an airborne platform on which a communication payload exists to an altitude at which wireless connectivity is able to be established with a first wireless network;
• a communication payload comprising:
• at least two transponders to establish wireless links;
• and
• a second controller having a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having stored therein instructions executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
• establish a first wireless link to the first wireless network;
• establish a second wireless link;
• relay data between the first wireless link and the second wireless link using the communication payload;
• monitor data associated with at least one of the first wireless link and the second wireless link using the second controller of the communication payload, wherein the monitored data includes at least one of a signal strength or a coverage area for the at least one of the first wireless link and the second wireless link;
• and
• alter a position and an attitude of the airborne platform by adjusting flight control elements of the airborne platform using the first controller until and maintain a position and an attitude is located for the airborne platform at which at least one of the signal strength or the coverage area for at least one of the first and the second wireless links with which the airborne platform is already in communication is optimized, as determined by the second controller.

An airborne communication system for providing extended wireless communications, comprising:

• an airborne platform including:
• at least one antenna to pick up and radiate wireless signals;
• a platform controller to control an altitude and attitude of the airborne platform;
• and
• a communication payload, wherein the communication payload comprises:
• at least two transponders to establish wireless links;
• and
• a controller having a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having stored therein instructions executable by the processor to cause the airborne communication system to:
• elevate the airborne platform to an altitude at which wireless connectivity is able to be established with a first wireless network;
• establish a first wireless link to the first wireless network;
• establish a second wireless link;
• relay data between the first wireless link and the second wireless link;
• monitor data associated with at least one of the first wireless link and the second wireless link using the controller of the communication payload, wherein the monitored data includes at least one of a signal strength or a coverage area for the at least one of the first wireless link and the second wireless link;
• and
• alter the attitude and the altitude of the airborne platform by adjusting flight control elements of the airborne platform using the controller until an attitude and an altitude is located for the airborne platform at which at least one of the signal strength or the coverage area for at least one of the first and the second wireless links with which the airborne platform is already in communication is optimized, as determined by the controller.