SYSTEM FOR MANAGING THE MULTIPLE AIR-TO-GROUND COMMUNICATIONS LINKS ORIGINATING FROM EACH AIRCRAFT IN AN AIR-TO-GROUND CELLULAR COMMUNICATION NETWORK

摘要

The Multi-Link Aircraft Cellular System makes use of multiple physically separated antennas mounted on the aircraft, as well as the use of additional optional signal isolation and optimization techniques to improve the call h andling capacity of the Air-To-Ground cellular communications network. These additional techniques can include polarization domain and ground antenna pa ttern shaping (in azimuth, in elevation, or in both planes). Further, if cod e domain separation is added, dramatic increases in capacity are realized. T hus, the Air-To-Ground cellular communications network can increase its capa city on a per aircraft basis by sharing its traffic load among more than one cell or sector and by making use of multiple physically separated antennas mounted on the aircraft, as well as the use of additional optional signal is olation and optimization techniques.