System and method for managing communications with mobile platforms operating within a predefined geographic area

A system for managing communications with a mobile platform operating within a pre-defined geographic region, comprising:

• a mobile platform communications component located on said mobile platform for determining a location of said mobile platform while said mobile platform is operating within said pre-defined geographic region;
• at least one antenna located on said mobile platform;
• a ground based component including a plurality of antennas located at spaced apart locations about said pre-defined geographic region and each forming a wireless access point;
• a wide area network accessible by said mobile platform via one or more of said wireless access points;
• a control system in communication with said mobile platform via said wide area network and at least one of said wireless access points;
• and
• said control system including:
• a database for storing information pertaining to said mobile platform and said ground based component;
• and
• a computer for analyzing location information received from at least one of said mobile platforms and using said database to assist in selecting a specific antenna with which said mobile platform communications component is to use for communicating with a communications network, said selection being made based at least in part on real-time location information for said mobile platform.

A method for managing communications within a pre-defined geographic area between a mobile platform operating within the geographic area and a control system, comprising:

• a) providing a plurality of ground-based antenna stations, each disposed at fixed locations within the geographic area, to form wireless access points that said mobile platform is able to wirelessly access;
• b) using a said control system to bidirectionally communicate with said mobile platform as said mobile platform operates within said geographic area;
• c) using said control system to receive information relating to at least one of speed of travel and direction of travel of said mobile platform as said mobile platform operates within said geographic region;
• d) using said control system to analyze information obtained at operation c) to determine when said mobile platform should switch from communicating with said initial one of said antenna stations to a different one of said antenna stations to maintain an optimal communications link while moving within said geographic region;
• and
• e) instructing said mobile platform, in real time, as to which one of said antenna stations to use to maintain said communications link in a manner which reduces a frequency with which said mobile platform is required to switch from one said antenna system to another said antenna system.