Aircraft wireless communication system

Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for providing wireless service to devices located onboard an aircraft. For example, in one embodiment, a wireless base station is utilized onboard an aircraft for providing non-roaming cellular services to cellular devices onboard the aircraft. In addition, in some embodiments, the wireless base station may provide Internet access to Internet accessible devices located onboard the aircraft. Additionally, in some embodiments, the wireless base station is interfaced with an existing air-to-ground cellular transmission system of the aircraft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the United States, both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulate the use of mobile phones on aircraft. Safety concerns exist for both the cell networks and the airplane when traditional terrestrial cell phones are used in flight. Government agencies worry that because cell phones emit radio signals, they can interfere with sensitive aviation electronics like communications equipment or the navigation system. In addition, use of cellular devices may interfere with terrestrial cellular networks because mobile devices at high altitudes may be equidistant from multiple cellular towers of many different cells, thus, creating confusion for call routing. In addition, cellular phones may have to transmit at maximum power to be received, if at all, by the terrestrial cellular towers, thus, increasing the risk of interference with electronic equipment on the aircraft.

Airlines have attempted to provide a solution to onboard phone service with introduction of the Airfone® service in the 1980s which was based on radio technology. The Airfone® service provided a solution to some of the above problems by using a dedicated 800 Mhz air-to-ground frequency for communicating with special terrestrial cellular towers that are placed spatially apart from each other. However, use of the Airfone service has been very limited for several reasons. For example, these services are much more expensive than mobile phone service. In addition, they also provide extremely slow data services at a similarly high price. Additionally, use of the Airfone service does not allow a user to utilize features associated with mobile phones, such as, but not limited to, speed dialing or address book lookup.

Recently, several studies have shown that using wireless devices, such as, but not limited to, cellular phones onboard an aircraft, does not interfere with electronic equipment on the aircraft. In fact, the use of mobile telephones aboard commercial aircraft is gradually being accepted overseas. For instance, many European air carriers have allowed passengers to utilize mobile phones during flight, assuming the mobile device is capable of picking up a cellular signal. Some carriers have installed a picocell system for routing cellular communications to a satellite and then down to a satellite receiver. However, current picocell systems are extremely expensive because they require one or more satellites for routing the cellular communications. In addition, current picocell systems support only one frequency, typically an international roaming frequency, thus, mobile devices onboard an aircraft, if capable, must roam on this frequency for making calls. As a consequence, a consumer is typically charged international roaming rates, such as $2.50 a minute for calls made on their mobile devices while onboard an aircraft.

Therefore, the disclosed embodiments recognize a need for providing an alternative method for providing wireless service, such as, but not limited to, cellular service onboard an aircraft that seeks to overcome one or more the above problems.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for providing wireless service to devices located onboard an aircraft. For example, in one embodiment, a wireless base station is utilized onboard an aircraft for providing non-roaming cellular services to cellular devices onboard the aircraft. In one embodiment, the wireless base station includes one or more transceivers for sending and receiving cellular signals at a plurality of cellular frequencies corresponding to one or more service provider networks associated with a plurality of mobile devices located onboard the aircraft. In addition, in some embodiments, the wireless base station includes a conversion unit for converting the cellular signals from the plurality of cellular frequencies corresponding to one or more service providers' networks to one or more coded cellular signals that are not detectable by conventional ground-based cell sites. Additionally, the wireless base station may include an interface for communicatively coupling the wireless base station to a cellular transmission system of the aircraft for transmitting the one or more coded cellular signals to a terrestrial tower configured to communicate with the cellular transmission system of the aircraft for enabling cellular communication to the first mobile device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for providing wireless service to devices located onboard an aircraft. For example, in one embodiment, a wireless base station is utilized onboard an aircraft for providing non-roaming cellular services to cellular devices onboard the aircraft. In addition, in some embodiments, the wireless base station may provide Internet access to Internet accessible devices located onboard the aircraft. Additionally, in some embodiments, the wireless base station is interfaced with an existing air-to-ground cellular transmission system of the aircraft for communicating the cellular signals to specially configured terrestrial towers.

The disclosed embodiments and advantages thereof are best understood by referring toFIGS. 1-4of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. Other features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be or will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. Further, the illustrated figures are only exemplary and not intended to assert or imply any limitation with regard to the environment, architecture, design, or process in which different embodiments may be implemented.

FIG. 1depicts an embodiment of a network environment100in which the illustrative embodiments may be implemented. In the depicted embodiment, a wireless base station200is placed onboard an aircraft130for providing wireless services, including, but not limited to, cellular service to a plurality of cellular devices such as cellular device102and cellular device106located onboard aircraft130. For instance, in accordance with one embodiment, wireless base station200may be an intelligent femto cell that is manufactured and configured to facilitate cellular communication to the plurality of cellular devices located onboard aircraft130. A femto cell is a miniature cell tower, generally about the same size as a wireless router, that is utilized to provide and/or improve cellular service to cellular devices that are located in areas that do not receive adequate cellular coverage.

In particular, in one embodiment, wireless base station200may include one or more transceivers that are operable to communicate with the plurality of cellular devices on their respective cellular frequencies associated with a cellular service provider network of each cellular device. For instance, in some embodiments, wireless base station200may include one or more transceivers that are operable to communicate cellular signals on a plurality of frequency ranges commonly associated with cellular service providers, such as, but not limited to, 400, 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz frequency bands. In addition, in some embodiments, wireless base station200may support a plurality of cellular network technologies including, but not limited to, Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS), Narrowband Advanced Mobile Phone Service (NAMPS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobil communication (GSM), and Personal Communications Services (PCS).

Additionally, as will be further described, in some embodiments, wireless base station200may provide wireless Internet access to one or more wireless Internet accessible devices, such as, but not limited to, a laptop computer104, a smart phone, and/or a personal digital assistant (PDA) device. For instance, in some embodiments, wireless base station200may include one or more transceivers that support a plurality of data transmission technologies including, but not limited to, Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Wi-Fi, and 3G/4G technology, for providing wireless data service to wireless Internet accessible devices located onboard aircraft130.

In accordance with one embodiment, wireless base station200includes an interface for communicating with a cellular transmission system140of aircraft130for transmitting cellular signals to a terrestrial tower150that is specially configured to communicate with cellular transmission system140for enabling cellular communication to the plurality of cellular devices onboard aircraft130. In one embodiment, cellular transmission system140sends and receives cellular signals from one or more antennas mounted on the outside of aircraft130. In addition, in accordance with some embodiments, cellular transmission system140may be an existing cellular transmission system of aircraft130. For instance, cellular transmission system140may be utilized or may have been utilized to provide phone service to passengers onboard aircraft130using telephone devices installed on aircraft130(e.g., an Airfone® device).

In addition, in some embodiments, terrestrial tower150may be an existing terrestrial tower, such as, but not limited to, an Airfone® tower or an Aircell® tower, that is specially configured to communicate with cellular transmission system140. Alternatively, a network of terrestrial towers150may be constructed for communicating with cellular transmission system140. In one embodiment, terrestrial tower150is widely spaced from other terrestrial towers that are capable of communicating with cellular transmission system140to ensure that cellular transmission system140only communicates with one terrestrial tower at time for facilitating proper routing of cellular signals. In one embodiment, terrestrial tower150may include one or more air-to-ground antennas for communicating with cellular transmission system140. Additionally, in some embodiments, terrestrial tower150and cellular transmission system140may use an exclusive air-to-ground frequency that does not interfere with conventional ground-based cell sites. Alternatively, in other embodiments, terrestrial tower150and cellular transmission system140may transmit encoded signals on the same frequencies as other cellular carriers that are not detectable by the conventional ground-based cell sites. In these embodiments, only terrestrial towers that are equipped with specialized antennas may receive the signals from cellular transmission system140. In some embodiments, terrestrial tower150and cellular transmission system140must establish communication using a specific handshake protocol. A handshake protocol sets the communication parameters that are acceptable to equipment and systems at both ends of the communication channel, including, but not limited to, information transfer rate, coding alphabet, parity, interrupt procedure, and other protocol or hardware features.

As referenced herein, the phrase “not detectable” is defined as unable to receive, unable to decode, and/or unable to interpret data associated with transmissions from cellular transmission system140. For instance, in some embodiments, a regular terrestrial tower may be able to receive the cellular transmission signals from cellular transmission system140, but not be able to decode, interpret, and/or perform an action in association with cellular transmission signal.

In accordance with one embodiment, the cellular signals received from terrestrial tower150are routed to a switching center160. Switching center160is a node in a telecommunications circuit switching network which routes communications to intended destination devices. In some embodiments, switching center160may be a building, such as, a mobile switching center (MSC) or a central office that houses switching equipment and may include live operators. In other embodiments, switching center160may be an automatic exchange, such as, a telephone circuit box or a mobile switching centre server, which is configured to provide automated routing. For instance, as will be further described, switching center160may route cellular calls from cellular device102located onboard aircraft130to a cellular service provider network120associated with a cellular device122for facilitating cellular communication between cellular device102and cellular device122.

In addition, in some embodiments, switching center160may communicate with a communication network110for facilitating data and/or voice exchange for one or more wireless device located onboard aircraft130. In one embodiment, communication network110may include one or more data networks, such as, but not limited to, the Internet, for routing communications between one or more communication devices and/or data processing systems. The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that interchange data using the standardized Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP). For instance, in one embodiment, laptop computer104and/or cellular device102may access a Web server116and/or a database server118for retrieving content/data via communication network110. Additionally, communication network110may include other types of data networks, such as, but not limited to, an intranet, a private local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and a wireless local area network (WLAN).

In addition, in some embodiments, communication network110may include one or more wired or wireless phone networks. For example, communication network110may include a public switched telephone network (PSTN) for facilitating voice communication landline telephone devices, such as, telephone112. The public switched telephone network is the standard analog telephone network utilized by most homes. In addition, in some embodiments, communication network110may also include digital telephone networks, such as, but not limited to, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) and a fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) network. Additionally, in some embodiments, communication network110may include one or more cellular networks, such as, but not limited to, a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network and a Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network for facilitating voice communications to cellular devices, such as, cellular device114.

With reference now toFIG. 2, an embodiment of wireless base station200is presented in accordance with certain of the disclosed embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, wireless base station200may include a system-on-a-chip (SoC)201. In one embodiment, SoC201may integrate all or a majority of the components of wireless base station200, such as, but not limited to, one or more processors/microprocessors202and memory204(e.g., RAM), into a single integrated circuit chip.

In addition, in some embodiments, wireless base station200may include one or more data storage units210, such as, but not limited to, a hard disk drive for storing executable instructions212and/or other data, such as, but not limited to, access rules, routing tables, quality of service (QoS) rules, and cost information for intelligent routing. For instance, in some embodiments, executable instructions212may include executable instructions for limiting access to only registered devices using the access rules, converting signals between a cellular service provider network frequency and an air-to-ground radio frequency utilized by cellular transmission system140, and ensuring priority to voice communication over data communication using the quality of service (QoS) rules.

In accordance with one embodiment, wireless base station200may include a cellular transceiver220for communicating cellular signals between wireless base station200and one or more cellular devices within signal range of wireless base station200. For instance, wireless base station200may be configured to communicate, on a control channel, with cellular devices that are within signal range of wireless base station200to determine the mobile identification number/cellular phone number associated with the detected mobile devices. A control channel is a logic channel carrying network information rather than the actual voice or data messages transmitted over the network for enabling cellular devices to identify themselves and their location to the cellular networks.

In some embodiments, cellular transceiver220may be configured to send and receive cellular signals associated with a particular cellular service provider and/or frequency spectrum. Alternatively, in some embodiments, cellular transceiver220may be configured to send and receive cellular signals associated with a particular type of cellular network, such as, but not limited to, a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) network, 2G/3G/4G networks, and/or a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network. Optionally, in some embodiments, wireless base station200may include multiple cellular transceivers, such as, optional cellular transceiver222. For instance, in some embodiments, optional cellular transceiver222may be configured to operate on a different service provider cellular network than that associated with cellular transceiver220.

In addition, in some embodiments, wireless base station200may include a radio frequency (RF) transceiver224. In one embodiment, radio frequency transceiver224supports the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and/or Wi-Fi standard for enabling wireless data communication with one or more wireless Internet accessible devices, such as, but not limited to, laptop computer104and/or a PDA device with Wi-Fi capabilities.

Additionally, in some embodiments, wireless base station200may include one or more external data ports220(e.g., a USB port) for transferring and/or storing data on an external data storage unit and/or for connecting wireless base station200to an external device. For example, in some embodiments, wireless base station200may interface with one or more external transceivers (i.e., add-on units), such as, but not limited to, external cellular transceiver226. For instance, in some embodiments, external cellular transceiver226may be added to provide non-roaming cellular service to cellular devices on an international flight.

In accordance with one embodiment, wireless base station200may include a frequency conversion unit260for converting the cellular signals and/or Wi-Fi signals received from cellular transceiver220, cellular transceiver222, radio frequency (RF) transceiver224, and/or external cellular transceiver226, to the appropriate air-to-ground frequency utilized by cellular transmission system140, such as, but not limited to, the 800 MHz air-to-ground frequency spectrum approved by the FCC. For instance, in one embodiment, frequency conversion unit260may include a local oscillator and frequency mixer. A local oscillator is an electronic device used to generate a signal normally for the purpose of converting a signal of interest to a different frequency using a mixer. This process of frequency conversion, also referred to as heterodyning, produces the sum and difference of the local oscillator and input signal of interest. In one embodiment, the air-to-ground frequency utilized by cellular transmission system140is not detectable by conventional ground-based cell sites. Alternatively, or in addition to, in some embodiments, a converted signal may be passed to SoC201for encoding to ensure that only specially configured terrestrial towers, such as, but not limited to, terrestrial tower150are able to receive the cellular signals transmitted by cellular transmission system140. In addition, in some embodiments, wireless base station200may include a multiplexer262for combining the one or more encoded cellular signals into a single signal.

Additionally, in one embodiment, wireless base station200includes a network interface240for communicatively coupling wireless base station200to one or more devices, such as, but not limited to, cellular transmission system140. For example, in one embodiment, network interface240may be a network interface card, such as, but not limited to, a modem, an Ethernet card, and/or a wireless network interface card for connecting wireless base station200to cellular transmission system140for enabling the transfer of the cellular signals to terrestrial tower150.

In addition, network interface240may be utilized to receive incoming signals from cellular transmission system140. In some embodiments, wireless base station200may include a demultiplexer264for performing the reverse action of multiplexer262(i.e., for separating a combined signal received from cellular transmission system140into multiple individuals signals). Additionally, in one embodiment, the received signals are decoded by SoC201and pass to frequency conversion unit260for converting the signal from the air-to-ground frequency utilized by cellular transmission system140to the cellular frequency corresponding to the service provider cellular network of the receiving cellular device.

FIG. 3depicts an embodiment of a process300for providing cellular communications to cellular devices located onboard an aircraft in accordance with some of the disclosed embodiments. Process300begins, at step302, by establishing communication between wireless base station200and a mobile device located onboard aircraft130. For instance, process300may utilize a control channel to communicate with a mobile device located within signal range of wireless base station200to determine the mobile identification number (MIN) or International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) associated with the mobile device. In one embodiment, process300may check the MIN or IMEI of the mobile device against a stored access list of registered devices for granting access to wireless base station200. In one embodiment, if the process determines that a mobile device may utilize wireless base station200, the process transmits the necessary communication data to the mobile device to enable the mobile device to home/route its communication through wireless base station200. The process, at step304, monitors for any outbound communication from the mobile device on the same frequency spectrum associated with a service provider cellular network corresponding to the mobile device.

In response to receiving an outbound cellular communication signal from the mobile device, the process, at step306, converts the cellular signal from the service provider cellular network frequency to an air-to-ground frequency utilized by cellular transmission system140of the aircraft. At step308, the process transmits the converted/encoded cellular signal from wireless base station200to cellular transmission system140. The process transmits the encoded cellular signal to a terrestrial tower specially configured to receive the encoded cellular signal from cellular transmission system140.

In some embodiments, the encoded cellular signal is then routed to a switching center, such as, switching center160. In one embodiment, at step308, switching center160may include a frequency conversion unit, such as, frequency conversion unit260as described above, for converting the received cellular signal from the air-to-ground frequency to a service provider cellular network frequency associated with the cellular device located onboard the aircraft. In one embodiment, the process routes the cellular signal to the cellular network of the service provider of the cellular device for further routing of the cellular communication to the appropriate destination device, with process300terminating thereafter.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the process may route the cellular signals to a contract service provider cellular network for handling the cellular communication of the cellular devices located onboard an aircraft. A contract service provider is defined as a cellular and/or Internet service provider that has an agreement with the operators of the disclosed aircraft wireless communication system to provide cellular service to devices onboard an aircraft. Thus, operators of the disclosed aircraft wireless communication system may contract with a particular service provider for providing cellular and/or data service to all cellular devices onboard an aircraft. In addition, in some embodiments, process300may monitor the duration of a call and/or the amount of communicated data associated with a mobile device for the purpose of billing a subscriber associated with the mobile device.

FIG. 4depicts an embodiment of a process400for transmitting incoming cellular signals and/or data to a mobile device located onboard an aircraft in accordance with some of the disclosed embodiments. Process400begins, at step402, by receiving, at a switching center, an incoming call/data for a mobile device located onboard an aircraft. At step404, the process converts the incoming call/data to the appropriate air-to-ground frequency utilized by the cellular transmission system of the aircraft on which the mobile device is located. The process, at step406, transmits the incoming call/data to the respective cellular transmission system using the specially configured terrestrial towers. At step408, the cellular transmission system forwards the incoming call/data information to a wireless base station200onboard the aircraft. The process, at step410, converts the incoming call/data from the air-to-ground frequency utilized by cellular transmission system140to the service provider cellular network frequency associated with the intended mobile device located onboard the aircraft. At step412, the process transmits the incoming call/data to the intended mobile device located onboard the aircraft, with process400terminating thereafter.

Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments provide, among other things, non-roaming cellular services to cellular devices onboard the aircraft. In addition, in some embodiments, the wireless base station may provide Internet access to Internet accessible devices located onboard the aircraft. Additionally, in some embodiments, the wireless base station is interfaced with an existing air-to-ground cellular transmission system of the aircraft. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, certain aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be embodied as an apparatus or method. In addition, certain components of the disclosed embodiments may be implemented entirely with hardware or as a software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the disclosed embodiments may take the form of a computer program product embodied in any tangible medium of expression having computer-usable program code embodied in the medium.

The disclosed embodiments are described above with reference to flowchart illustrations, sequence diagrams, and/or block diagrams. Each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, may be implemented by computer program instructions. In addition, the flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which may include one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. For instance, in some embodiments, cellular transmission system140may perform the process of converting signals between the air-to-ground frequency and a service provider cellular network frequency instead of the conversion being performed by wireless base station200as illustrated in the embodiments ofFIG. 3andFIG. 4. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Additionally, computer program instructions for executing the disclosed embodiments may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the data processing system to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the data processing system provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.