Patent ID: 8786492

Claim:
A method for directional digital data transmission between an aircraft and at least one first ground station by a ground-to-air direct radio system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first antenna array and a second antenna array for the aircraft, the first and second antenna arrays being configured as directional antenna arrays; wherein the first antenna array and the second antenna array are arranged in mirror symmetry relative to a mirror axis in the middle of the fuselage of the aircraft; wherein each of the first antenna array and the second antenna array has a length along a longitudinal axis of the aircraft and a width in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft; wherein the first and second directional antenna arrays are spatially aligned such that a region extending along a flight path of the aircraft on the ground is not illuminated by transmission lobes of the first and second antenna arrays; wherein a ratio between the length and the width of the first antenna array is greater than 1 and a ratio between the length and the width of the second antenna array is greater than 1; wherein a longitudinal axis of the first antenna array and a longitudinal axis of the second antenna array are substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the aircraft; providing a third antenna for the first ground station; and transmitting digital data directly between the aircraft and the first ground station; continuously measuring at least one of a change in strength of a signal received by the first antenna array and a change in strength of a signal received by the second antenna array during a flight of the aircraft; and adapting a transmission lobe of at least one of the first antenna array and a transmission lobe of the second antenna array on the basis of the measured change in strength.