Patent ID: 6324398
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A cellular-type wireless communications system comprising:a wireless switching center connected to a telephone network;a plurality of airborne base stations each associated with a cell corresponding to a specific geographic area, each airborne base station operable to directly transmit and receive communication signals to/from individual subscriber terminals within the associated cell and to/from said wireless switching center to enable communication sessions to be maintained, through the telephone network, between individual subscriber terminals and other telecommunication terminals, said plurality of airborne base stations including at least one antenna for communicating with said wireless switching center and with individual subscriber terminals in an associated cell; andeach of said plurality of airborne base stations being supported by at least one airborne platform including a propulsion system, the propulsion system being mounted on the airborne platform and being operable to maintain the platform airborne above a geographic area being serviced by the airborne base station; andeach of said plurality of airborne base stations being operative, in conjunction with the wireless switching center, to hand off communication sessions with subscriber terminals to at least one other airborne base station.