Terminal adapter for associating user components and emulating a network entity

摘要

A communication system comprises an adapter ( 10 ) having interfaces ( 25 - 27 ) linked with user device components ( 12 ). A terminal controller ( 29 ) dynamically associates the components in real time to provide mobile stations. Thus, passengers of an aircraft can insert SIM cards into conveniently-located readers ( 22 ) and use in-flight entertainment i/o devices to make and receive cellular calls. The adapter ( 10 ) also has a BTS emulator ( 30 ) for direct communication with a BSC ( 3 ) with non-wireless internal network communication. This avoids the need for a mobile station to BTS wireless link.