Patent ID: 6606055
Filing Date: 2003-08-12
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
A phased array communications system for an aircraft comprising:a plurality of phased array antenna structures dispersed around an aircraft in a manner to provide substantially spherical antenna coverage around the aircraft each phased array antenna structure having an n-element array, transmit/receive modules operatively connected to respective elements forming said n-element array, a beam forming network operatively connected to said transmit/receive modules, and an antenna interface unit operatively connected to said beam forming network for converting communications signals between a satellite downlink frequency band and a communications band used by Communication, Navigation and Identification (CNI) components for allowing a) air-to-air crosslink communications; b) satellite receive communications; and c) air-to-ground data link communications at a satellite downlink frequency band; and a communications transceiver operatively connected to each antenna interface unit for receiving and transmitting communications signals within a communications band used by Communication, Navigation and Identification (CNI) components to and from said phased array antenna structures.