Source: https://patents.justia.com/patent/10680315
Timestamp: 2020-08-04 19:49:14
Document Index: 738039109

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 201480012274', 'Application No. 2015', 'Application No. 201480012274', 'Application No. 2015', 'Application No. 201480012274', 'Application No. 14706243', 'Application No. 2018', 'Application No. 2018']

US Patent for Multiple antenna system and method for mobile platforms Patent (Patent # 10,680,315 issued June 9, 2020) - Justia Patents Search
Justia Patents With Housing Or Protective CoveringUS Patent for Multiple antenna system and method for mobile platforms Patent (Patent # 10,680,315)
Dec 16, 2016 - GOGO LLC
Dual fidelity connectivity on-board a vehicle
Systems and methods for facilitating predictive noise mitigation
Dynamic load balancing of satellite beams
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 14/177,863, filed Feb. 11, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/763,350, filed Feb. 11, 2013 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/901,848, filed Nov. 8, 2013. The contents of each of the foregoing is incorporated by reference herein.
The present disclosure generally relates to a system and method for providing for multi-regional communication with a satellite network using different antennas suited for use in different regions and, more particularly to a communicator mounted on a mobile platform with a first antenna suited for use in a first region and a second antenna suited for use in a second region that are controlled to optimize access to the satellite network as the mobile platform moves from the first region to the second region.
Since the beginning of powered flight, it has been of paramount importance for people onboard a plane to be able to communicate with people on the ground. As technology advanced, this communication began to include digital data as well as analog voice signals. Further advances lead to the technology to permit aircraft to communicate with satellites to relay information to and from ground stations so aircraft could continue to be in communication over land and ocean, anywhere around the world. More recently, passengers on the aircraft have been given access to these satellite systems, especially to use the satellite systems to access the Internet. The aircraft may access the satellite system with an antenna or antenna array suited for communication with the satellite system. However, different locations around the globe may call for different types of antennas to optimize communication, so a satellite transceiver with only a single type of antenna may not provide adequate service if the mobile platform to which it is mounted moves across the globe. In particular, an aircraft flying a transcontinental route may experience a reduced ability to communicate with the satellite system as it moves from a polar latitude toward the Equator.
Accordingly, it may be advantageous to create a system which includes multiple types of antennas where different antennas are suitable for usage in different geographic areas as well as different atmospheric conditions. The system may include a controller or processor to determine which of the antennas to use to communicate with the satellite network.
In an embodiment, a mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator for communicating with a constellation of satellites including a first antenna optimized for operation using a frequency band in a first geographic region; a second antenna suited for operation using either the first frequency band or a second frequency band in a second geographic region; a controller or processor configured to determine which antenna to activate based on one or more of a geographic indicator or a signal indicator; and one or more enclosures or radomes for the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator.
In another embodiment, a method of communicating with a constellation of satellites using a mobile platform including: communicating with the constellation of satellites on a first frequency band using a first antenna, wherein the first antenna is optimized for operation in a first geographic location; determining, with a processor, to terminate communication via the first antenna and begin communication via a second antenna based on one of a geographic indicator or a signal indicator; wherein the second antenna is optimized for operation in a second geographic location; and communicating with the constellation of satellites on either the first frequency band or a second frequency band using the second antenna.
In another embodiment, a method of communicating with a mobile communicator mounted to a mobile platform including: using a first antenna of the mobile communicator to establish communication with a first satellite; communicating data packets with the first satellite via the first antenna; receiving one or more of a geographic indicator or a signal indicator; based on the one or more of a geographic indicator or a signal indicator, determining, by a processor, to terminate communication via the first antenna and begin communication via a second antenna of the mobile communicator; terminating communication via the first antenna; configuring the second antenna to establish communication with one of the first satellite or a second satellite; and communicating data packets with one of the first satellite or the second satellite via the second antenna.
In another embodiment, a satellite communication system including: a first satellite for communication on a frequency band; a mobile platform, wherein the mobile platform is capable of moving from a first region to a second region; and a mobile communicator mounted to the mobile platform including: a first antenna array for communication on either a first frequency band or a second frequency band, a second antenna array for communication on either the first frequency band or the second frequency band, a communicator controller configured to determine whether to use the first antenna array or the second antenna array, selectively enable and disable the first antenna array, and selectively enable and disable the second antenna array, and an enclosure for the mobile communicator.
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a constellation of satellites and a mobile platform with a mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator on with an exemplary multi-region satellite communication method may operate in accordance with the described embodiments;
FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller;
FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary multi-region satellite communication method operating in accordance with the described embodiments;
FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary antenna array selection method operating in accordance with the described embodiments.
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system 100 for providing communications between a constellation of satellites and a mobile platform using a multi-antenna array. The system 100 may be used in either or both of a first region 102 and a second region 104. The first region 102 and second region 104 may be any of a number of regions with different environments for transmitting and receiving a signal to and from one or more satellites. As discussed below, one of the antennas of the system 100 may be more suitable than another antenna of the system 100 because of the different environments for transmitting and receiving a signal to and from the one or more satellites. The first region 102 and second region 104 may be geographically defined. For example, the first region 102 may be a region closer to either the North Pole or South Pole than the Equator and the second region 104 may be a region closer to the Equator than either Pole. In another example, the first region 102 may be defined as a region where the line of sight angle to the nearest satellite is relatively higher than the line of sight angle to the nearest satellite in the second region 104. The first region 102 and second region 104 may also be defined by atmospheric conditions. For example, the first region 102 may be defined as a region where the moisture content in the ambient air is relatively higher than the moisture content in the ambient air in the second region 104. In another example, the first region 102 may be defined as a region where there is more interference on the frequency bands used by the system 100 than in the second region 102. The first region 102 and second region 104 may be separated by a boundary 103. The boundary 103 may be a fixed geographic boundary (e.g., the Tropic of Cancer, the Tropic of Capricorn, etc.) or it may be a shifting boundary between the first region 102 and second region 104.
The system 100 may include a constellation of satellites including a first satellite 106 and a second satellite 108. If the regions 102 and 104 are geographically defined, the satellites 106 and 108 may be in geostationary orbit over the respective first region 102 and second region 104. However, it will be understood that the satellites 106 and 108 may orbit the Earth at any number of altitudes and speeds and may not be in geostationary orbit. The satellites 106 and 108 may be communications satellites relaying information to and from a mobile platform 110 (over connections 114 and 116 as discussed below) and a network 112 (over connections 118 and 120, respectively). The network 112 may be a proprietary network, a public internet, a virtual private network or some other type of network, such as dedicated access lines, plain ordinary telephone lines, satellite links, combinations of these, etc. Where the network 112 comprises the Internet, data communications may take place over the network 130 via an Internet communication protocol. The mobile platform 110 may be any vehicle or mobile device capable of travelling from the first region 102 to the second region 104. While the mobile platform 110 pictured in FIG. 1 is an airplane, it will be understood that the mobile platform 110 can be a ship, boat, yacht, submarine, automobile, truck, motorcycle, helicopter, drone, or other vehicle capable of moving along the air, land, or sea. While only a single mobile platform 110 is shown in FIG. 1, it will be understood that the constellation of satellites may be used to communicate with tens, hundreds, thousands, etc. of mobile platforms 110. Similarly, while only two satellites 106 and 108 are picture in FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that the constellation of satellites may include tens, hundreds, or any number of satellites coving all or part of the globe. Further, the network 112 may be made of tens, hundreds, or any number of sub-networks which may or may not communicate with each other in known ways.
The system 100 may include a mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator 130 comprising a first antenna array 132, a second antenna array 134, a mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136, and a radome enclosure 138. The first antenna array 132 may be optimized for communication with satellites under the conditions found in the first region 102. For example, if the first region 102 is closer to either the North Pole or South Pole than the Equator, the first antenna array 132 may be well suited to operation near the Poles. For example, the first antenna array 132 may be an AeroSat HR6400 antenna system, a KuStream 2000 antenna system, or an Auro LE antenna, the specifications for which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The first antenna array 132 may communicate with the constellation of satellites over the link 114, which may be a link to the satellite 106 as depicted in FIG. 1. While the phrase “first antenna array” is used herein, it will be understood that the first antenna array 132 may be a single antenna or an array including a plurality of antennas. The second antenna array 134 may be optimized for communication with satellites under the conditions found in the second region 104. For example, if the second region 104 is closer to the Equator, the second antenna array 134 may be well suited to operation near the Equator. For example, the second antenna array 134 may be a ThinKom Solutions Variable Inclination Continuous Transverse Stub (VICTS) array. The second antenna 134 may also be similar to the conformal phased array antenna array described in “Conformal Phased Array With Beam Forming for Airborne Satellite Communication” by Schippers et al. or the antenna system described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,068,235 to Guidon et al., both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The second antenna array 132 may communicate with the constellation of satellites over the link 116, which may be a link to the satellite 108 or a different satellite using any one of a plurality of frequency bands as depicted in FIG. 1. While the phrase “second antenna array” is used herein, it will be understood that the second antenna array 134 may be a single antenna or an array including a plurality of antennas.
The system 100 may use any of a number of frequency bands to send and receive messages. Messages to and from the satellites 106 and 108 may be modulated onto waves with frequencies in one of several known satellite communication bands. For example, the messages to and from the satellites 106 and 108 may be modulated onto waves in the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum. In particular, the carrier wave frequencies may be in the Ku band between 12-18 GHZ and/or the Ka band between 26.5-40 GHz. Of course, other bands in the microwave spectrum may be used. Further, it will be understood that bands outside the microwave spectrum may be used.
The mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller/processor 136 may be a computer or real-time controller adapted and configured to execute various software applications and functions to select which antenna array to use to communicate with the constellation of satellites and facilitate communication with the constellation of satellites using the selected antenna array. FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136. The mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136 may have a controller 202 that is operatively connected to the database 210 (e.g., one or more hard disk drives, optical storage drives, solid state storage devices, etc.) via a link 218. The database 210 is adapted to store data related to the operation of the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator 130, and mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136 may access data stored in the database 210 when executing various functions and tasks associated with the operation of the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator 130. Such data might include, for example, geographic location data from a GPS unit 230, sensor data from a signal sensor 232, application data for the plurality of applications 224, routine data for the plurality of routines 226, or other kinds of data. It should be noted that, while not shown, additional databases may be linked to the controller 202 in a known manner.
The controller 202 may include a program memory 204, a processor 206 (may be called a microcontroller or a microprocessor), a random-access memory (RAM) 208, and an input/output (I/O) circuit 214, all of which may be interconnected via an address/data bus 216. It should be appreciated that although only one microprocessor 206 is shown, the controller 202 may include multiple microprocessors 206. Similarly, the memory of the controller 202 may include multiple RAMs 208 and multiple program memories 204. Although the I/O circuit 214 is shown as a single block, it should be appreciated that the I/O circuit 214 may include a number of different types of I/O circuits. The program memory 204 and/or the RAM 208 may include a graphical user interface 220, a mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 222, a plurality of software applications 224, and a plurality of software routines 226. The graphical user interface 220 may be a set of instructions that when executed by the processor 206 cause a display (not shown) to display information to a user and/or receive input from the user, administrator, technician, etc. tasked with configuring the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136. The mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 222 may be a set of instructions that when executed by the processor 206 cause the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136 to carry out the functions associated with the exemplary mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator 130 described herein. The RAM(s) 208 and program memories 204 may be implemented as semiconductor memories, magnetically readable memories, and/or optically readable memories, for example. The signal sensor 232 may be operatively connected to the first antenna array 132 over link 242 and the second antenna array 134 over link 244. As discussed below, the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136 may be able to enable or disable the first antenna array 132 and/or second antenna array 134 using the respective links 242 and 244.
The GPS unit 230 may use satellite GPS or any other suitable global positioning protocol (e.g., the GLONASS system operated by the Russian government) or system that locates the position of the mobile platform 110 and/or mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the positional data need not come directly from a satellite as it could be data obtained or derived from an initial reference unit of the aircraft. While only a single GPS unit 230 is shown in FIG. 2, any number of GPS units 230 may be used to gather geographic data. The GPS unit 230 may be integrated into the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136 as shown in FIG. 2, or may be installed separately on the mobile platform 110 and communicating geographic data to the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136 (e.g., via the I/O circuit 214). The geographic data gathered by the GPS unit 230 may include information about the longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates and/or altitude of the mobile platform 110 and/or mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136.
The signal sensor 232 may be used to gather signal data. The signal sensor 232 may be integrated into the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136 as shown in FIG. 2, or may be installed separately on the mobile platform 110 and communicating geographic data to the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136 (e.g., via the I/O circuit 214). While only a single signal sensor 232 is shown in FIG. 2, any number of signal sensors 232 may be used to gather signal data. Signal data may include information about signal strength and signal quality. The signal sensor 232 may gather information about signal-noise ratio, attenuation, interference, degradation, electromagnetic environment, or any other measurements indicating factors that may affect how effectively the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator 130 is able to use either or both of the first antenna array 132 or second antenna array 134 to transmit signals to and receive signals from the constellation of satellites.
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary embodiment of a multi-region satellite communication method 300 implemented by the system 100. More particularly, the method 300 may be performed by the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator 130 in conjunction with the satellites 106 and 108 and network 112. While the mobile platform 110 is in the first region 102, the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator 130 may facilitate communication between the mobile platform 110 and the first satellite 106 using the first antenna array 132 (block 302). The mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator 130 may periodically verify its presence in the first region 102 by checking the geographic data or signal data. The mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator 130 then determines to terminate communication via the first antenna array 132 and begin communication via the second antenna array 134 (block 304). FIG. 4 shows further detail about the steps undertaken to implement block 304. After determining to terminate communication via the first antenna array 132 and begin communication via the second antenna array 134, the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136 may disable the first antenna array 132 using link 242 and enable the second antenna array 134 using link 244 (block 306). After enabling the second antenna array 134, the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator 130 may facilitate communication between the mobile platform 110 and second satellite 108 using the second antenna array 134. Referring again to FIG. 1, while FIG. 1 shows the use of both a first satellite 106 and a second satellite 108, it will be understood that the method 300 may be used to communicate via the first antenna array 132, determine to terminate communication via the first antenna array 132 and begin communication with the second antenna array 134, and communicate via the second antenna array 134 while only using a single satellite 106 or 108 (i.e., the satellite 106 is used to communicate with the mobile platform 110 in both regions). The method may also include communications with one or more satellites using a single band or frequency range, or with a second frequency band or frequency range.
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary embodiment of an antenna array selection method 400 implemented by the system 100 as part of block 304. The mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136 may receive an indicator that it may be advantageous to terminate communication via the first antenna array 132 and begin communication via the second antenna array 134 (block 402). The indicator may be derived from or based on geographic or signal data. The mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136 may determine whether the indicator is a geographic indicator or a signal indicator (block 404). A geographic indicator may include latitude and longitude coordinates, altitude, current geographic region (e.g., the first region 102 or second region 104), proximity to a boundary 103, whether a boundary 103 has been crossed, etc. A signal indicator may include information relating to signal data discussed above, including an indicator that a signal quality, signal strength, etc. has changed beyond a particular threshold.
If the indicator is a geographic indicator, the indicator may be used to determine that the mobile platform 110 has passed (or will soon pass) from a first region 102 into a second region 104 (block 406). Because the second antenna array 134 is better suited for operation in the second region 104, the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136 may instruct the first antenna array 132 to deactivate and to activate the second antenna array 134 (block 408). During the transition, the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136 may perform a handoff process to ensure a seamless transition between the use of the first antenna array 132 and the second antenna array 134. Additionally, if the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator 130 will continue communicating with the first satellite 106, the satellite 106 may perform a handoff process. Alternatively, if the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator 130 will be communicating with the second satellite 108 in the second region 104, the constellation of satellites may perform a handoff process to ensure a seamless transition from the first satellite 106 to the second satellite 108.
If the indicator is a signal indicator, the indicator may be used to determine that the mobile platform 110 has passed (or will soon pass) from a first region 102 into a second region 104 (block 410). However, because a signal-based determination of region may not be a boundary on a map, it may be advantageous to test both the first antenna array 132 and the second antenna array 134 to determine which is more suited to the current location and operating environment of the mobile platform 110. Accordingly, with or without deactivating the first antenna array 132, the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136 may test the second antenna array 134 to determine if the using the second antenna array 134 is associated with an improved signal (block 412). Signal data associated with the use of the first antenna array 132 may be compared to signal data associated with the use of the second antenna array 134 to determine which antenna has a better signal (block 414). Signals from both antennas can be continuously monitored by the signal sensor. Alternatively, no discrete measurement is needed, as both antennas can receive “lock” simultaneously, and the sensor may be used in determining which link to “close” (communicate bi-directionally). A better signal may include higher signal quality, higher signal power, a signal closer to one or more optimal operating parameters, etc. If the signal from using the first antenna array 132 is better than the signal from using the second antenna array 134, then the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136 may determine to continue using the first antenna array 132 and deactivate the second antenna array 134 (block 416). The method 300 may end, or the method 300 may loop and wait until a second indicator is received that it may be advantageous to switch antenna arrays is received and repeat the process discussed above. If the signal from using the second antenna array 134 is better, the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136 may instruct the first antenna array 132 deactivate and to activate the second antenna array 134 (block 418). During the transition, the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator controller 136 may perform a handoff process to ensure a seamless transition between the use of the first antenna array 132 and the second antenna array 134. Additionally, if the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator 130 will continue communicating with the first satellite 106, the satellite 106 may perform a handoff process. Alternatively, if the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator 130 will be communicating with the second satellite 108 in the second region 104, the constellation of satellites may perform a handoff process to ensure a seamless transition from the first satellite 106 to the second satellite 108.
Aspect 1. A mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator for communicating with a constellation of satellites comprising: a first antenna optimized for operation using a first frequency band in a first geographic region; a second antenna optimized for operation using either the first frequency band or a second frequency band in a second geographic region; a controller configured to determine which antenna to activate based on one or more of a geographic indicator or a signal indicator; and a radome enclosure for the platform-mounted mobile communicator configured to enclose the first antenna, the second antenna or both the first and second antennas.
Aspect 2. The mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator of aspect 1, wherein the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator is mounted to one of an airplane, an automobile, or a ship.
Aspect 3. The mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator of either aspect 1 or 2, wherein the first geographic region is proximate to the North Pole or South Pole and wherein the second geographic region is proximate to the Equator.
Aspect 4. The mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator of any one of aspects 1-3 wherein the first frequency band is one of a Ku-band or Ka-band and the second frequency band is one of a Ku-band or Ka-band.
Aspect 5. The mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator of any one of aspects 1-4 wherein the geographic indicator is a set of GPS coordinates.
Aspect 6. The mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator of any one of aspects 1-4 wherein the signal indicator is one of a signal-noise indicator, a throughput indicator, an interference indicator, a distortion indicator, or an attenuation indicator.
Aspect 7. A method of communicating with a constellation of satellites using a mobile platform comprising: communicating with the constellation of satellites on a first frequency band using a first antenna, wherein the first antenna is optimized for operation in a first geographic location; determining, with a processor, to terminate communication via the first antenna and begin communication via a second antenna based on one of a geographic indicator or a signal indicator; wherein the second antenna is optimized for operation in a second geographic location; and communicating with the constellation of satellites on either the first frequency band or a second frequency band using the second antenna.
Aspect 8. The method of communicating with a constellation of satellites of aspect 7, further comprising mounting the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator to one of an airplane, an automobile, or a ship.
Aspect 9. The method of communicating with a constellation of satellites of either aspect 7 or 8, further comprising optimizing the first antenna for operation proximate to the North Pole or South Pole and optimizing the second antenna for operation proximate to the Equator.
Aspect 10. The method of communicating with a constellation of satellites of any one of aspects 7-9, further comprising communicating with the constellation of satellites on one of a Ku-band, a Ka-band or both.
Aspect 11. The method of communicating with a constellation of satellites of any one of aspects 7-10, wherein determining to terminate communication via the first antenna and begin communication via the second antenna based on the geographic indicator comprises determining to terminate communication via the first antenna and begin communication via the second antenna based on a set of GPS coordinates or similar positional data.
Aspect 12. The method of communicating with a constellation of satellites of any one of aspects 7-10, wherein determining to terminate communication via the first antenna and begin communication via the second antenna based on the signal indicator comprises determining to terminate communication via the first antenna and begin communication via the second antenna based on one of a signal-noise indicator, a throughput indicator, an interference indicator, a distortion indicator, or an attenuation indicator.
Aspect 13. A method of communicating with a mobile communicator mounted to a mobile platform comprising: configuring a first antenna of the mobile communicator to establish communication with a first satellite; communicating data packets with the first satellite via the first antenna; receiving one or more of a geographic indicator or a signal indicator; based on the one or more of a geographic indicator or a signal indicator, determining, by a processor, to terminate communication via the first antenna and begin communication via a second antenna of the mobile communicator; terminating communication via the first antenna; configuring the second antenna to establish communication with one of the first satellite or a second satellite; and communicating data packets with one of the first satellite or the second satellite via the second antenna.
Aspect 14. The method of communicating with a mobile communicator mounted to a mobile platform of aspect 13, further comprising mounting the mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator to one of an airplane, an automobile, or a ship.
Aspect 15. The method of communicating with a mobile communicator mounted to a mobile platform of either aspect 13 or 14, further comprising optimizing the first antenna for operation proximate to the North Pole or South Pole and optimizing the second antenna for operation proximate to the Equator.
Aspect 16. The method of communicating with a mobile communicator mounted to a mobile platform of any one of aspects 13-15, further comprising communicating with the first and second satellites on one of a Ku-band, Ka-band or both.
Aspect 17. The method of communicating with a mobile communicator mounted to a mobile platform of any one of aspects 13-16, wherein determining to terminate communication via the first antenna and begin communication via the second antenna based on the geographic indicator comprises determining to terminate communication via the first antenna and begin communication via the second antenna based on a set of GPS coordinates or similar positional data.
Aspect 18. The method of communicating with a mobile communicator mounted to a mobile platform of any one of aspects 13-16, wherein determining to terminate communication via the first antenna and begin communication via the second antenna based on the signal indicator comprises determining to terminate communication via the first antenna and begin communication via the second antenna based on one of a signal-noise indicator, a throughput indicator, an interference indicator, a distortion indicator, or an attenuation indicator.
1. A platform-mounted mobile communicator comprising:
a radome enclosure configured to enclose the first antenna, the second antenna, or both the first and second antennas; and
a controller configured to (i) control the first antenna to communicate data without controlling the second antenna to communicate data, (ii) in response to a signal indicator received after (i), test communication via the second antenna while continuing to communicate data via the first antenna, (iii) compare a first signal associated with use of the first antenna and a second signal associated with use of the second antenna, (iv) if the second signal has a higher power or quality than the first signal, terminate communication via the first antenna and begin communication via the second antenna, and (v) if the first signal has a higher power or quality than the second signal, continue communication via the first antenna.
2. The platform-mounted mobile communicator of claim 1, the first antenna being optimized for operation using a first frequency band in a first geographic region.
3. The platform-mounted mobile communicator of claim 2, the second antenna being optimized for operation using either the first frequency band or a second frequency band in a second geographic region.
4. The platform-mounted mobile communicator of claim 3, wherein the first geographic region is proximate to the North Pole or South Pole and wherein the second geographic region is proximate to the Equator.
5. The platform-mounted mobile communicator of claim 3, wherein the first frequency band is one of a Ku-band or Ka-band and the second frequency band is the other one of a the Ku-band or Ka-band.
6. The platform-mounted mobile communicator of claim 1, the signal indicator being representative of at least one of a signal-noise ratio, attenuation, interference, degradation, or electromagnetic environment.
7. The platform-mounted mobile communicator of claim 1, wherein the platform-mounted mobile communicator is mounted to one of an airplane, an automobile, or a ship.
8. A method of communicating with a mobile communicator mounted to a mobile platform, the method comprising:
(i) communicating data via a first antenna of the mobile communicator without communicating data via a second antenna of the mobile communicator;
(ii) receiving, with a controller, a signal indicator after (i);
(iii) testing communication via the second antenna of the mobile communicator in response to the signal indicator while continuing to communicate data via the first antenna;
(iv) comparing, with the controller, a first signal associated with communicating data via the first antenna and a second signal associated with communicating data via the second antenna;
(v) if the second signal has a higher power or quality than the first signal, terminating communication via the first antenna and beginning communication via the second antenna; and
(vi) if the first signal has a higher power or quality than the second signal, continuing communication via the first antenna.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first antenna is optimized for operation using a first frequency band in a first geographic region.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second antenna is optimized for operation using either the first frequency band or a second frequency band in a second geographic region.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first geographic region is proximate to the North Pole or South Pole and wherein the second geographic region is proximate to the Equator.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first frequency band is one of a Ku-band or Ka-band and the second frequency band is the other one of a the Ku-band or Ka-band.
13. The method of claim 8, the signal indicator being representative of at least one of a signal-noise ratio, attenuation, interference, degradation, or electromagnetic environment.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are enclosed within a radome enclosure of the mobile communicator.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the mobile communicator is mounted to one of an airplane, an automobile, or a ship.
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Patent Publication Number: 20170099097
Inventor: Sean Scott Cordone (Wheaton, IL)
Application Number: 15/382,227
International Classification: H01Q 1/27 (20060101); H01Q 21/22 (20060101); H04W 24/08 (20090101); H04B 7/185 (20060101); H01Q 3/24 (20060101); H01Q 1/42 (20060101); H01Q 1/28 (20060101); H01Q 21/28 (20060101); H01Q 3/26 (20060101); H01Q 25/02 (20060101); H01Q 1/00 (20060101); H01Q 3/00 (20060101);