Patent ID: 6163681
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: G08G,H04B

Abstract:
A system for exchanging information to and from an aircraft comprising:a ground data link unit that obtains data during flight of the aircraft, said ground data link unit comprising:a) a data store operative to accumulate and store data files that have been uploaded to the aircraft and flight performance data related to the flight performance of the aircraft in flight;b) a spread spectrum transceiver coupled to said data store that is operative at a first higher data rate when the aircraft is on the ground and a second substantially lower, data rate when the aircraft is airborne in close proximity to the airport to increase effective communication range, wherein said spread spectrum transceiver further comprises a transmitter for downloading said data files that have been uploaded to the aircraft and flight performance data that has been accumulated and stored by said data store over a spread spectrum communication signal, and a receiver for uploading data over a second spread spectrum communication signal; andan airport based spread spectrum transceiver that is operative to transmit and receive data to and from said aircraft ground data link unit along respective first and second spread spectrum communication signals at a first data rate when the aircraft is on the ground and a second data rate when the aircraft is airborne in proximity to the airport.