Gogo LLC

Gogo Business Aviation LLC

Aircell LLC

Anand Chari

Bryan Adrian Lauer

Yong Liu

Rukmani Loganathan

Sajit Sasi

Patrick Jay Walsh

Harold Grant Saroka

Joseph M Cruz

Sean Scott Cordone

Pat Walsh

Ivica Kostanic

Tim Joyce

Daniel Bernard McKenna

Richard Clay Dunham

Dennis G Sladky

Michael A Moffatt

Kenneth Targosz

Eric Lemond

Thomas E Weigman

Vahid Tarokh

Joseph Alan Tobin

William James Gordon

Grant Harold Saroka

Rukmaini Loganathan

Sajiti Sasi

A method of communicating with satellites in a low-earth orbit (LEO) constellation includes determining, by a controller of a mobile communicator mounted on a mobile platform, one or more conditions corresponding to a plurality of spatial channels associated with multiple satellites in the LEO constellation. The method also includes allocating, based on the one or more conditions, each subset of a plurality of subsets of antenna resources of a phased array antenna to a respective different satellite included in the multiple satellites in the LEO constellation, where the antenna resources of the phased array antenna are communicatively connected to plurality of transceivers via a bus. The method also includes commanding the plurality of transceivers to establish simultaneous communicative connections to the different satellites via the allocated subsets of antenna resources.

LEO constellation satellite terminal

A method of communicating with satellites in a low-earth orbit (LEO) constellation includes determining, by a controller of a mobile communicator mounted on a mobile platform, one or more conditions corresponding to a plurality of spatial channels associated with multiple satellites in the LEO constellation. The method also includes allocating, based on the one or more conditions, each subset of a plurality of subsets of antenna resources of a phased array antenna to a respective different satellite included in the multiple satellites in the LEO constellation, where allocating each subset includes allocating a particular antenna resource to two or more subsets of the plurality of subsets of the phased array antenna. The method also includes commanding one or more transceivers to establish simultaneous communicative connections to the different satellites via the allocated subsets of antenna resources.

A method of communicating with multiple satellites includes allocating, based on one or more conditions corresponding to a plurality of spatial channels associated with multiple satellites, each subset of a plurality of subsets of antenna resources of a phased array antenna to a respective different satellite included in the multiple satellites. The method also includes commanding one or more transceivers to establish simultaneous communicative connections to the different satellites via the allocated subsets of antenna resources, and re-allocating, based on a detected change to at least one of the one or more conditions, at least one antenna resource to a respective another different satellite. The method also includes commanding the one or more transceivers to maintain the simultaneous communicative connections to the different satellites using the re-allocated at least one antenna resource.

Multi-constellation satellite terminal

Techniques, systems, devices, and methods for utilizing a mobile communicator for communicating with multiple satellites, e.g., simultaneously over an interval of time, are disclosed. The mobile communicator is disposed on a vehicle, and the multiple satellites may be disposed in different satellite constellations operating in different orbits. The mobile communicator establishes multiple communication links to the multiple satellites by utilizing only the set of antenna resources provided by a single antenna platform or array. Subsets of the antenna resources are dynamically apportioned and adapted, e.g., while the vehicle travels, to establish and maintain different communication links to different satellites via different spatial channels and their respective air interfaces to thereby maintain optimal satellite communicative connectivity. On-board connectivity services for personal electronic devices and/or other on-board applications may be supported by the disclosed techniques.

Data content that is to be utilized, as a whole, at a target device on-board a vehicle is apportioned for delivery onto the vehicle via multiple forward links, each of which is included in a different frequency band and/or used a different protocol. A mapping or selection of a specific portion of the data content for a specific forward link may based on a data content type of the specific portion, as well as on other dynamic or static criteria. The target device may operate on the subsets of the data content as it receives each subset. Thus, time critical/foundational portions of the data content may be delivered using a faster forward link, larger elements of the data content may be delivered using a higher-bandwidth forward link, and/or portions of the data content requiring a higher degree of accuracy may be delivered using a more robust forward link, for example.

Data delivery to devices on vehicles using multiple forward links

A method of for optimizing modem usage on a vehicle. The method includes determining that the vehicle is in one of a plurality of port states, where each of the plurality of port states being indicative of the vehicle being located proximate to a vehicle port. The method includes, based on the determination that the vehicle is in the one of the plurality of port states, causing a modem that is (i) operating in a bi-directional mode, and (ii) fixedly connected to the vehicle to be in a receive-only state. The method includes causing an establishment of a wireless communication link at the modem in the receive-only state. Further, the method includes using the wireless communication link as a forward link over which data is able to be received onto the vehicle while the vehicle is in the one of the plurality of port states.

Optimizing usage of modems for data delivery to devices on vehicles

Techniques for providing hybrid communications to devices on vehicles include using a forward link to deliver data, that is intended to be received by an on-board device, onto a vehicle, and using a reverse link in a different frequency band to send reverse data from the vehicle. A subsequent forward link is selected, based on the reverse data, from a plurality of forward links, each of which is supported by a different frequency band. Forward data may be multiplexed and/or multicast, and in some cases, multiple forward links may be used for distributed forward data delivery. These techniques allow for efficient data delivery to the vehicle, and in particular while the vehicle is in transit and link conditions are dynamic.

Hybrid communications for devices on vehicles

Techniques for providing hybrid communications to devices on vehicles include using a selected modulation scheme on a forward link to deliver data (that is intended to be received by an on-board device) onto a vehicle, and using a reverse link in a different frequency band to send reverse data from the vehicle. Based on the reverse data, a subsequent pre-defined modulation scheme for a subsequent forward transmission is selected from a plurality of modulation schemes corresponding to a plurality of performance levels of data delivery. The selections may be based on a current geo-spatial location of the vehicle, a type of data, and/or on one or more other dynamic conditions. The forward data may be multiplexed and/or multicast. Thus, adaptive modulation is achieved in a hybrid communications system in which the forward link and the reverse link to the vehicle are supported by different wireless communication bands.

Adaptive modulation in a hybrid vehicle communication system

Techniques for optimizing modem use for data delivery to vehicles that are near to or parked at ports include using a high-capacity forward communications link, in a first frequency band, to support a logical forward link of a data tunnel via which data is delivered between a data provider and the vehicle. Instead of using the reverse communications link of the first frequency band, though, a reverse communications link in a different frequency band is used to support the reverse logical link of the data tunnel, as reverse data typically requires less bandwidth. Thus, the forward communications link is used in a high-throughput, unidirectional manner. Forward data may be multiplexed and/or multicast, and in some cases, multiple forward communications links may be used in parallel to support the logical forward link of the data tunnel.

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Bartlett, IL, United States of America

Anand Chari