초록 ▼

A satellite-based digital broadcast system is used to provide real-time news, entertainment and informational programs to aircraft passengers in flight. Transmissions from the satellite occur on a time division multiplex (TDM) downlink with different broadcast programs being transmitted on different

A satellite-based digital broadcast system is used to provide real-time news, entertainment and informational programs to aircraft passengers in flight. Transmissions from the satellite occur on a time division multiplex (TDM) downlink with different broadcast programs being transmitted on different TDM channels. A broadcast receiver is carried on board the aircraft, and includes a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the TDM channels to reproduce the original broadcast programs. The broadcast receiver may be adapted to receive and reproduce both audio and video broadcasts, as well as to provide other types of information delivery services. Encryption of the broadcast programs may be used to restrict their use to a specific aircraft or airline company.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for providing real-time broadcast programs to aircraft passengers, comprising:at least one terrestrial broadcast station for transmitting a plurality of different low-bandwidth broadcast programs and at least one high-bandwidth broadcast program;at least one rela

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for providing real-time broadcast programs to aircraft passengers, comprising:at least one terrestrial broadcast station for transmitting a plurality of different low-bandwidth broadcast programs and at least one high-bandwidth broadcast program;at least one relay satellite for receiving and retransmitting said low-bandwidth broadcast programs and said at least one high-bandwidth broadcast program, said retransmission occurring on at least one downlink signal in which different ones of said low-bandwidth broadcast programs are transmitted on different time-division multiplex (TDM) channels at the same carrier frequency of less than about 3000 MHz; anda broadcast receiver carried on board an aircraft, said broadcast receiver including at least one demodulator for demodulating said at least one downlink signal and a demultiplexer coupled to said demodulator for demultiplexing said TDM channels to reproduce said plurality of low-bandwidth broadcast programs, said broadcast receiver being coupled to an on-board passenger entertainment system for providing said low-bandwidth broadcast programs and said at least one high-bandwidth broadcast program to passengers on board said aircraft.