Patent ID: 8045977
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: H04B,H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of maintaining datalink network throughput in a communications channel between an air traffic control station and an aircraft, the method comprising: receiving periodic channel occupancy data from a radio; updating channel occupancy status from the channel occupancy data; determining whether the channel occupancy has reached a first predetermined occupancy threshold; when the first predetermined occupancy threshold has been reached, transmitting high priority messages, and storing medium and low priority messages; when the first predetermined occupancy threshold has not been reached, determining whether the channel occupancy has reached a second predetermined occupancy threshold that is less than the first predetermined occupancy threshold; when the second predetermined occupancy threshold has been reached, transmitting high and medium priority messages, and storing low priority messages; and when the second predetermined occupancy threshold has not been reached, transmitting messages of all priorities.