초록 ▼

A communication system includes an aircraft supporting an airborne switching node that provides communication services to a variety of ground-based devices located in the service region. The devices include subscriber devices, such as customer premises equipment and business premises equipment, as w

A communication system includes an aircraft supporting an airborne switching node that provides communication services to a variety of ground-based devices located in the service region. The devices include subscriber devices, such as customer premises equipment and business premises equipment, as well as gateway devices.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for providing communication to a plurality of devices located in a service region on earth which includes a plurality of cells, comprising an aircraft flying above the service region said aircraft having an airborne switching node which includes an antenna sectio

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for providing communication to a plurality of devices located in a service region on earth which includes a plurality of cells, comprising an aircraft flying above the service region said aircraft having an airborne switching node which includes an antenna section, said airborne switching node being operable to:transmit through said antenna section to the service region a plurality of directional beams in respective different directions so that each beam is associated with a respective cell in the service region;adjust the directions of the beams relative to said aircraft, including compensation for movement of said aircraft relative to the earth; andreceive through said antenna section respective signals transmitted by the plurality of devices located in the service region, and transmit each such received signal on one of the beams to one of the devices other than the device from which that signal was received.