Patent ID: 9467364
Filing Date: 2016-10-11
CPC Classification: H04L

Claim Text:
1. A communications network comprising: a plurality of node groups, wherein each node group in the plurality of node groups comprises a plurality of nodes that include a number of communication devices and wherein the each node group in the plurality of node groups is configured to form a group of potential pathways for a communications link between the each node group and another node group in the plurality of node groups for sending and receiving wireless signals between the number of communication devices, and wherein a node group in the plurality of node groups is part of a plurality of aerial vehicles in flight; a control system configured to form a communications channel between a first end point and a second end point using a series of communications links between a first end node group in the plurality of node groups and a second end node group in the plurality of node groups, wherein a communications link in the series of communications links between a first node group in the plurality of node groups and a second node group in the plurality of node groups is formed along a potential pathway selected from the group of potential pathways between the first node group and the second node group; and a plurality of controllers, wherein a controller in the plurality of controllers is configured to control a node group in the plurality of node groups, the controller comprising: