Apparatus and methods for broadband mobile communications systems
OwnerPetert E Goettleinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to the implementation of wireless communications in a network, which employs a multi-beam satellite, with an associated satellite service area, and a terrestrial-based capacity augmentation system, such as an air-to-ground communications system and/or an aircraft platform, for broadband Internet service to aeronautical mobile users. The capacity augmentation system may serve users in areas of elevated demand in the satellite service area. The network adapts to changes in demand over the service area and provides smooth service transitions as airplanes fly across the service area.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- determining a first bandwidth for a first gateway to a first user beam connection on a multi-beam satellite, associated with a satellite service area, to provide a first communication service to a terminal to enable the terminal to connect to a network;
- providing the first communication service to the terminal;
- increasing the first bandwidth an additional bandwidth, wherein the additional bandwidth is obtained by switching a second bandwidth from a second gateway to a second user beam connection on the multi-beam satellite to the first bandwidth;
- and
- continuing to provide the first communication service for the terminal.
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:
- determining a first bandwidth for a first gateway to a first user beam connection on a multi-beam satellite, associated with a satellite service area, to provide a first communication service to an airplane terminal to enable the airplane terminal to connect to a network;
- providing the first communication service to the airplane terminal;
- increasing the first bandwidth with an additional bandwidth, wherein the additional bandwidth is obtained by switching a second bandwidth of second gateway to second user beam connection on the multi-beam satellite to the first bandwidth;
- and
- continuing to provide the first communication service for the airplane terminal.
A system comprising:
- a first device configured to determine a first bandwidth for a first gateway to a first user beam connection on a multi-beam satellite, associated with a satellite service area, to provide a first communication service to an airplane terminal to enable the airplane terminal to connect to a network
- a second device configured to configure the first gateway to first user beam connection with the first bandwidth on the satellite;
- a third device configured to determine an additional bandwidth sufficient to provide at least the first communication service to the airplane terminal;
- and
- a fourth device configured to increase the first bandwidth by the additional bandwidth, wherein the additional bandwidth is obtained by switching a second bandwidth from a second gateway to a second user beam connection on the multi-beam satellite to the first bandwidth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.