Patent ID: 6768906
Filing Date: 2004-07-27
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
An aircraft based communication system defining a wireless service area comprising:a communication gateway connected to a terrestrial based communication network; a first aircraft located in proximity to the wireless service area, the first aircraft communicating with the gateway and communicating with at least one subscriber located within the wireless service area, the first aircraft transmitting a first control signal within the wireless service area; a second aircraft located in proximity to the wireless service area, the second aircraft operable for communicating with the gateway and operable for communicating with the subscriber located within the wireless service area; wherein the second aircraft flies in proximity to the first aircraft for transferring communication sessions from the first aircraft to the second aircraft and maintaining a constant communication link between the subscriber and the terrestrial based communication network, the second aircraft transmits a second control signal within the wireless service area; and wherein the beam pattern of the second control signal overlaps the beam pattern of the first control signal by at least 80%.