Network system having multiple subnets for a mobile platform

#The present invention relates to networks for mobile platforms, and more particularly to an Internet Protocol (IP) addressing scheme for mobile platforms.

#Broadband communications access, on which our society and economy is growing increasingly dependent, is not readily available to users on board mobile platforms such as aircraft, ships, and trains. While the technology exists to deliver the broadband communications services to mobile platforms, conventional solutions are currently commercially unfeasible due to the high costs for service or due to low data rates. The conventional solutions have typically only been available to government/military users and/or to high-end maritime markets such as cruise ships. To attract business users, the broadband communication services must provide acceptable data rates at a reasonable price. The broadband communications services must also be designed within guidelines that are required for networks or nodes that are connected to the Internet.

#Internet web sites are identified by a public address. Routers and switches use the public address to route IP packets. Public addresses are considered a scarce resource. Requests for public address space from American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) are scrutinized for efficient usage. For example, aircraft Internet systems will require a significant number of IP addresses for routers, servers, users, and other hosts.

#The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a broadband communications system including mobile platforms, satellites, ground stations and the Internet;

#FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a mobile platform communications system in more detail;

#The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

#Referring now to FIG. 1, a mobile platform communications system 10 for mobile platforms 12-1, 12-2, . . . , and 12-n is shown. The mobile platforms 12 communicate via one or more satellites 16-1, 16-2, . . . , and 16-n and with one or more ground-based receiving stations 18-1, 18-2, . . . , and 18-n. The ground-based receiving stations 18 are connected to a distributed communications system 22 via a router 24-1, 24-2, . . . , and 24-n. A public address manager (PAM) server 28 is connected to the distributed communications system 22, the router 24 or to the ground-based receiving stations 18. If used, the PAM server 28 manages the leasing of public addresses that are stored in a public address pool 29 to the mobile platforms 12.

#One or more web servers 30-1, 30-2, . . . , and 30-n are connected to the distributed communications system 22. Likewise, one or more virtual private networks (VPNs) 32-1, 32-2, . . . , and 32-n are connected to the distributed communications system 22. The distributed communications system 22 is preferably the Internet. Users located on the mobile platform 12 access the web servers 30 and/or the VPN's 32 via the mobile platform communications system 10. As can be appreciated, the mobile platform establishes an air-to-ground network via the satellites 16 and the ground stations 18.