HK1076972A - Low-height, low-cost, high-gain antenna and system for mobile platforms - Google Patents

Description

Low-height, low-cost, high-gain antennas and systems for mobile platforms

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a communication method and system for providing desired communication signals to mobile platforms located outside of a signal coverage area, which communication method and system may be used by passengers associated with these destinations.

Description of the Related Art

A recent study (http:// mobility. tamu. edu/study/PDFs/Finalreport. pdf) shows that vehicles on major roads in the United states are currently prone to passenger time delays. This study also shows that traffic congestion is no longer restricted to large cities, and the problem is becoming more and more severe in medium and small cities. Many passengers spend a great deal of time on and off duty each day due to traffic delays.

Currently, there are a variety of methods for communicating with passengers in a transportation vehicle. Many of these use cellular mobile networks that provide communication services to a predetermined geographic area. This area is typically large and is often divided into several smaller geographical areas known as "cells", and within each cell area there is typically a base station that provides signals to users within the cell area. Each base station is connected to adjacent base stations, which are controlled by a base station controller. The base station controller provides the required signal processing and communication processing to operate the base station network in the predetermined geographic area.

Currently used terrestrial and air cellular mobile communication systems are usually based on this kind of local topology. These communication systems are often optimized to simultaneously transmit and receive communication signals to and from fixed and mobile telephone users; for example, communications signals are received from and sent to home or office landline users. These communication systems are not based exclusively on the existing complex path infrastructure in which many mobile users are located. Cellular base stations and transmitting equipment are typically located at a central location, for example on the highest local hillside or on the top of tall buildings; such systems access both fixed and mobile users by maximizing the transmission range of the cellular region. However. There are often things in this area that can impair communications between the cellular base station and the mobile subscriber. For example, the terrain may contain mountains and/or valleys and man-made buildings; these factors can interfere with the transmission or scattering of the signal, which can cause the signal to decay in strength or to disappear altogether.

Therefore, currently used cellular mobile networks are subject to interference in the signal propagation, which causes fading and multipath effects. The attenuation of the signal is due to the reflection of the signal by various objects, buildings, and other physical features in the terrain. These reflections cause the vehicle to receive signals from different directions simultaneously. The signals received by the mobile users at the same time usually have different transmission delays in phase, which may cause unfavorable mutual interference between the signals, resulting in poor quality of the received signals. Signal attenuation is typically caused when the cellular base station and transmitting equipment are centrally located and the mobile platform is traveling in the direction of signal propagation. Increasing the transmit power helps to solve the problem of signal attenuation, however, increasing the transmit power also has side effects; for example, increasing transmit power increases power consumption, decreases phone battery life, and increases interference between cellular communication systems. In addition, increasing the transmission power also places the mobile user's person at a higher risk as a result of radiation effects.

Other forms of communication systems, such as satellite communication networks and systems, are also generally unsuitable for use by passengers located in a road moving platform.

Another problem with existing communication networks is the usefulness of the information conveyed to the mobile subscriber. For example, a broadcaster may broadcast traffic reports. Informing the general traffic situation and informing the passengers in the vehicle about the specific accident and the location of the traffic congestion. These radio marketers recommend that passengers select other routes, but since the radio does not know the destination of a particular vehicle, the radio typically cannot provide the passengers in the vehicle with recommendations to re-select the driving route. Furthermore, such broadcasts are typically based on a certain time period of the day, rather than on the time of occurrence of a performance event. For example, conventional traffic reports are played every 10 minutes, 15 minutes, or even 30 minutes. Some broadcasts are only made during specified traffic times. Thus, a passenger in a certain vehicle may lose the opportunity to re-select a travel route due to untimely broadcasting. For example, a passenger in a transit vehicle may have selected another route, but missed another particular route because no traffic advice was received. The cellular phone may provide information on traffic congestion; however, not every vehicle and its location may get specific information feedback.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide information to at least one mobile platform that is not within the coverage area of an information source signal.

In one embodiment of the communication method of the present invention, the method is used to provide a desired signal to at least one mobile platform outside the coverage area of the information signal source, thereby establishing an information network. The steps in this method include transmitting an information signal using a transmitting device at an information source; receiving an information signal using a first transmit/receive unit on a mobile platform within a coverage area of an information source signal; and forwards the received signal through the first transmitter/receiver to a receiving device located on the at least one mobile platform.

In another embodiment of the communication method of the present invention, the method may be used to provide information from at least one mobile platform; no signal network is present in the area where this mobile platform is located. According to this embodiment of the invention, the steps in the method include transmitting a signal containing information using a transmitting device located on at least one mobile platform; receiving a signal containing information using a first transmit/receive unit located on a mobile platform, the mobile platform being within a signal coverage area; the information signal is forwarded to a receiving device at the signal destination using the first transmit/receive unit.

In one embodiment of the system of the present invention, information is transmitted to or received from a destination in an area, but the signal of the information source does not cover the area. In this embodiment, the system includes a transmitter at an information source, the transmitter transmitting an information signal; the system also comprises a transmitting/receiving unit positioned on a certain mobile platform, the mobile platform is positioned in the range covered by the information source signal, the transmitting/receiving unit on the mobile platform receives the information signal and forwards the information signal to the receiving device positioned at the signal destination, and the receiving device positioned at the destination is responsible for receiving the information signal.

In another embodiment of the method of the present invention, information is provided to a moving platform moving in the direction of the signal. According to this embodiment, the steps in the method comprise: transmitting a signal containing information from an information source to a transmitting/receiving device located on a first mobile platform; the information signal is received using the transmitting/receiving device and forwarded to a receiving device located on a second mobile platform.

Brief description of the drawings

The foregoing and various objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings; like reference characters in different figures denote like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary portion of the communication method and system of the present invention;

fig. 2 illustrates an example of signal roaming between mobile platforms using the method and system of the present invention, in this example the mobile platforms are located on roads that are substantially parallel to each other and have substantially the same direction of travel.

Fig. 3 illustrates an example of signal roaming between mobile platforms using the method and system of the present invention, in which the mobile platforms are located on roads that are traveling in substantially the same and/or opposite directions but parallel to each other.

Fig. 4 illustrates an example of signal roaming for a mobile platform on mutually perpendicular roads using the method and system of the present invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates an example of signal roaming for mobile platforms on parallel and/or intersecting roads using the method and system of the present invention.

Fig. 6 illustrates another example of signal roaming for mobile platforms on parallel and/or intersecting roads using the method and system of the present invention.

Fig. 7 illustrates an example of signal roaming for mobile platforms on parallel and/or curved roads using the method and system of the present invention.

Fig. 8 illustrates another example of signal roaming for mobile platforms on parallel and/or curved roads using the method and system of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a vehicle that is not on a roadway using the method and system of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates another example of the use of the method and system of the present invention by a vehicle that is not on a roadway.

Figure 11 illustrates an example of a passenger aircraft employing the method and system of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a functional diagram of a plurality of mobile platforms on a plurality of roads using the method and system of the present invention in one embodiment, including control stations on the roads and road stations.

Detailed Description

The method and apparatus of the present invention includes a method and system for transmitting and receiving information signals to establish an information network between an information source and a destination to which the information source's signals cannot reach regardless of whether other communication signals can reach the destination. In general, the method includes transmitting an information signal using a transmitting device located at an information source; the information signal is received using a first transmit/receive unit that is carried on a mobile platform and the received information signal is forwarded to a receiving device at the signal destination. The method also includes re-using the plurality of transmit/receive units to receive and forward signals between the information source and the destination. These transmit/receive units may be carried on a mobile platform. Some of which may be carried on a fixed platform.

The method of the present invention may be used to provide a desired signal to a passenger associated with a mobile platform where the passenger is not within coverage of the signal. In this example, the method of the present invention includes receiving a desired signal using a first transmit/receive unit carried on a mobile platform, wherein the mobile platform on which the first transmit/receive unit is located is within reach of the signal; the first transmit/receive unit then forwards the received signal to a receive unit carried on another mobile platform that is not within reach of the signal. The method may further include receiving and repeating multiple times using a plurality of transmit/receive units carried on a plurality of moving platforms moving in a signal transfer direction. Each mobile platform may receive the desired signal and present the signal to the passenger associated with that mobile platform. The moving platforms can be located on the road, and the moving directions of the moving platforms can be similar or different. The mobile platform may be any platform capable of moving on land, air or water. Specific examples of platforms include trains, rail cars, ships, aircraft, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, skateboards, wheelchairs, golf carts, trucks, trailers, buses, police cars, emergency vehicles, fire trucks, construction vehicles, ships, submarines, hydrofoils, barges, and the like, but the type of platform is not limited thereto.

Fig. 1 illustrates a communication system and method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The desired signal 10 is transmitted from a source and received by a mobile platform 20 located on a roadway 52. the mobile platform 20 is equipped with an antenna 21 for receiving the signal, which antenna can be used by a passenger 26 on the mobile platform 20 and/or for transmitting the signal in the direction of the roadway 52 and/or in the direction of a parallel roadway 54. Arrows 89 and 99 indicate the main driving directions of the road 52 and the road 54. Mobile platform 20 receives signal 10 and sends signal 12 to mobile platform 30 located on the same roadway 52. The mobile platform 30 is equipped with an antenna 31 for receiving signals, which antenna can be used by the passenger 36 on the mobile platform 30 and/or for transmitting signals in the direction of the road 52 and/or the parallel road 54. The mobile platform 40 is provided with an antenna 41 for receiving signals, which antenna can be used by the passenger 46 on the mobile platform 40 and/or for transmitting signals in the direction of the road 52 and/or the parallel road 54. In this embodiment, neither of the mobile platforms 30 and 40 is within the coverage area of the source of the desired signal 10; the marked lines 11 indicate the range of the area that the signal 10 can reach. In this embodiment, the mobile platforms 20, 30 and 40 are all located on roads that are parallel to each other and have substantially the same direction of travel. It should be understood that the method and system of the present invention does not require that each mobile platform or any particular mobile platform be included in the communication system and method, nor that each mobile platform or any particular mobile platform must be in motion to function as a receiving unit and/or a transmitting unit.

Fig. 2A-2H illustrate other examples of signal roaming. In these examples, the signal is provided to at least one destination that is not within the coverage area of the information source signal; for example, to provide signals to mobile platforms traveling in substantially the same direction of travel on mutually parallel roads, fig. 2A contains a first mobile platform 50 that is located on a road 72 and within reach of the desired signal. The mobile platform receives the emitted signal using its onboard first transmit/receive unit which forwards the received signal 16 to a second transmit/receive unit onboard a second mobile platform 60 located on the same road. In this example, the second mobile platform 60 is not within the coverage area of the desired signal. The second mobile platform 60 may forward the signal 18 to a third mobile platform 70 that is also not within the original desired signal coverage, the third mobile platform 70 traveling along a parallel path 74 and having substantially the same direction of motion as the second mobile platform. The method also includes receiving and forwarding signals using a plurality of other mobile platforms on the roadway.

Fig. 2B-2H illustrate other possible ways of signal roaming using the method and system of the present invention. For example, as shown in fig. 2A-2F, the signal 16 roams from a first mobile platform 50 on a road 72 to a mobile platform 60 on an adjacent or same road, and the signal 18 roams from the mobile platform 60 to another mobile platform 70 on the same road or a parallel road. As shown in fig. 2G, signals may also roam from mobile platform 50 on road 72 to mobile platform 60 on non-adjacent but parallel roads. As shown in fig. 2B, 2D, and 2E, the signal may also roam from a mobile platform on a first road to a mobile platform on a second road, or to other mobile platforms on the first road. In accordance with the methods and systems of the present invention, it should be appreciated that the mobile platform 60 may forward the received signals to a plurality of mobile platforms located on a roadway 72 or a parallel roadway 74 via the forward signals 17, 18, as shown in FIG. 2H. Thus, fig. 2A to 2H illustrate several examples of communication between mobile platforms traveling in the same direction on a parallel road. However, it should be understood that the method and system of the present invention do not require that each mobile platform or any particular mobile platform be included in the communication system, nor that each mobile platform or any particular mobile platform be in motion to serve a receiving or forwarding role.

3A-3I illustrate additional examples of signal roaming to at least one destination that is not within reach of the source signal; in these examples, the mobile platforms are on roads that are parallel to each other, but travel in substantially opposite directions.

The first mobile platform 50 of fig. 3 is located on a roadway 72 that is within the area that the desired signal can reach; passengers on mobile platform 50 receive the desired signals (not shown) using their onboard first transmit/receive unit, which forwards the received signals 16 to a second transmit/receive unit onboard second mobile platform 60; the second mobile platform 60 is located on the same road 72 but not within the reach of the original signal. The second mobile platform 60 may forward the desired signal 18 to a third mobile platform 70, again with the third mobile platform 70 not within reach of the original signal; the mobile platform 70 is positioned on a road 74 with substantially opposite directions of travel. The communication system and method may be used to provide desired signals to a plurality of mobile platforms located on a plurality of roads. For example, as shown in fig. 3A, 3B, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G, 3H, and 3I, signals may roam from a mobile platform 50 on one road to a mobile platform 60 located on an adjacent road but operating in reverse with the mobile platform 50. Similarly, as shown in fig. 3C, the signal may also roam with the first mobile platform 50 on a road 72 to a second mobile platform 60 on another road 74, or to a third mobile platform 70 located on the first road, as shown in fig. 3B, 3E and 3F. Signals may roam from a mobile platform on one road to a mobile platform on another non-adjacent but parallel road. As shown in fig. 3I, it should be understood that any mobile platform may forward the received signal to multiple mobile platforms on the same or different roads. Thus, fig. 3A to 3I illustrate examples of communication between mobile platforms traveling in opposite directions on roads parallel to each other. However, it should be understood that the method and system of the present invention do not require that each mobile platform or any particular mobile platform be included in the communication system, nor that each mobile platform or any particular mobile platform be in motion to serve a receiving or forwarding role.

Although the mobile platform shown in fig. 1-3 is an automobile, it should be understood that the mobile platform may be any type of mobile platform, and the communication method and system of the present invention is not limited to the use of an automobile. Specific examples of mobile platforms include, but are not limited to, the types of mobile platforms previously described herein.

Fig. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the method and system of the present invention wherein the mobile platforms 30, 40 are positioned on a roadway 54 and the direction of travel 99 of the mobile platforms 30, 40 is perpendicular to the direction of travel 89 of the roadway 52. Fig. 4 includes a first mobile platform 20, where a passenger 26 receives a desired signal 10 via a first transmitter/receiver unit 21 carried on the mobile platform, the first mobile platform 20 being located on a road 52 and within an area 11 reachable by the signal 10. The first mobile platform 20 forwards the signal received by the first transmitting/receiving unit 21 to the signal 12, the signal 12 is received by the second transmitting/receiving unit 31 mounted on the second mobile platform 30, the second mobile platform 30 is located on the road 54, the driving direction 99 of the road 54 is perpendicular to the driving direction of the road 52, and the second mobile platform 30 is located in a position out of the area 11 that can be reached by the signal 10. The second mobile platform can send a signal 14 to a third transmitting/receiving unit 41 loaded on the third mobile platform 40, and a passenger 46 on the mobile platform 40 can receive the required signal by using the third transmitting/receiving unit; the third mobile platform 40 is located on the road 54 at a location that is also not within reach of the original signal 10. It should be understood that the communication network and method of the present invention may provide desired signals to a plurality of mobile platforms located on roads that are parallel and/or perpendicular to each other, which may be used by passengers on the mobile platforms.

Fig. 5A-5F illustrate several examples of signal roaming. In these instances, providing signals to at least one destination that is not within the coverage area of the information source may be accomplished using the methods and systems of the present invention to provide signals to mobile platforms that are located on mutually perpendicular roads. For example, as shown in fig. 5A, 5B, and 5D, the signal may roam from a first mobile platform 50 on a road 72 to a second mobile platform 60 on the same road, or to a third mobile platform 70 on an intersecting road 74. As shown in fig. 5C, 5E, and 5F, signals may roam from mobile platform 50 on road 72 to mobile platform 60 on parallel road 74, or to mobile platform 70 on crossing road 76. It should be understood that any one mobile platform may forward signals to multiple mobile platforms on the same road or on intersecting roads as shown in fig. 5G and 5H. Thus, fig. 5A-5H illustrate examples of communication between mobile platforms traveling in multiple directions on parallel or intersecting roads. However, it should be understood that the method and system of the present invention do not require that each mobile platform or any particular mobile platform be included in the communication system, nor that each mobile platform or any particular mobile platform be in motion to serve a receiving or forwarding role.

Fig. 6A-6E illustrate other examples of signal roaming between mobile platforms on intersecting and/or parallel roads using the method and network of the present invention. FIG. 6A includes a first mobile platform 50 positioned on a roadway 72 and within reach of a desired signal; the first mobile platform 50 uses its loaded first transmitting/receiving unit to receive the required signal and forward the signal received by the first transmitting/receiving unit to the signal 16, and the second transmitting/receiving unit on the second mobile platform 60 receives the signal 16; the second mobile platform 60 is located on the same row of road 74 bits and is out of reach of the original signal. The second mobile platform 60 may again signal 18 to the third mobile platform 70, wherein the third mobile platform 70 is located on the cross road 76 and is likewise not within reach of the original signal. Using the method and communication network of the present invention, a plurality of mobile platforms located parallel or intersecting one another can be provided with the desired signals that can be used by passengers on those mobile platforms. For example, as shown in fig. 6A, 6B, and 6C, signals may roam from mobile platform 50 on road 72 to mobile platform 60 on road 74, or to mobile platform 70 located on intersecting road 76. It should be understood that the moving platforms may travel in the same or opposite directions on the first and second parallel roads, and that the moving platforms traveling on the crossing roads may approach or leave the intersection of the first, second or third roads. For example, as shown in fig. 6E, signals may roam from mobile platform 50 on road 72 to mobile platforms 60, 70, 80, 85, and 90 located on roads 74, 76, 78 and first road 72. It will be appreciated that mobile platforms such as mobile platform 80 may in turn send signals 17 to mobile platforms 85, 90 located on the roadway as shown in figure 6E. Thus, fig. 6A-6E illustrate examples of communication between mobile platforms located on parallel roads and/or on intersecting roads in similar or opposite directions of travel.

Fig. 7A-7G illustrate other examples of signal roaming between mobile platforms on curved roads using the method and network of the present invention. FIG. 7A includes a first mobile platform 50 positioned on a roadway 72 and within reach of a desired signal; the first mobile platform 50 uses its loaded first transmitting/receiving unit to receive the required signal and forward the signal received by the first transmitting/receiving unit to the signal 16, and the second transmitting/receiving unit on the second mobile platform 60 receives the signal 16; the second mobile platform 60 is located on the same road and outside the reach of the original signal. The second mobile platform 60 may further send a signal 18 to the third mobile platform 70, wherein the third mobile platform 70 is located on a curved road 74, and the road 74 is curved with the first road and the direction of travel 89 of the first road. By using the method and the communication network of the invention, a plurality of mobile platforms which are positioned on a parallel or curved road can be provided with the required signals, and the signals can be used by passengers on the mobile platforms. For example, as shown in fig. 7A and 7B, a signal may roam from a mobile platform 50 on a first road 72 to a mobile platform 60 on a second road 74, the road 74 being curved with respect to the direction of travel 89 of the first road. For example, as shown in fig. 7C and 7D, signals may roam from mobile platform 50 on a first road 72 to mobile platform 60 on a concurrent second road 74, or to mobile platforms 70 and 80 located on a curved road 76. For example, as shown in fig. 7E, 7F, and 7G, signals may roam from a mobile platform on a particular road to a mobile platform on multiple roads that are parallel or curved with respect to each other.

Fig. 8A-8D illustrate examples of signal roaming between mobile platforms located on parallel or curvy roads using the communication network and method of the present invention. Fig. 7A-7G and 8A-8D collectively illustrate examples of communication between mobile platforms that travel in the same direction or in opposite directions on parallel roads and curves. However, it should be understood that the method and system of the present invention do not require that each mobile platform or any particular mobile platform be included in the communication system, nor that each mobile platform or any particular mobile platform be in motion to serve a receiving or forwarding role.

Fig. 9 and 10 illustrate embodiments of off-road mobile platforms using the communication system and method of the present invention. As described herein, the same reference numbers are used herein as in fig. 1. The first movable stage 20 is located within the reach of the desired signal, the boundary of which is indicated by the line segment 11. The first mobile platform 20 uses the first transmit/receive unit to receive the desired signal 10 from the information source and forwards the signal 12 to the second mobile platform 30, the second mobile platform 30 not being within reach 11 of the desired signal 10. The second mobile platform 30 receives the signal using the transmit/receive unit 31 and forwards the signal 14 to a third transmit/receive unit on a third mobile platform 40; the third mobile platform is likewise not within reach of the signal 10. It should be understood that a mobile platform that is out of reach of the desired signal 10 may still provide the desired signal to the passenger 26, 36 or 46 on the mobile platform using the communication methods and networks of the present invention. However, it should be understood that the method and system of the present invention do not require that each mobile platform or any particular mobile platform be included in the communication system, nor that each mobile platform or any particular mobile platform be in motion to serve a receiving or forwarding role. It should also be understood that in the method and system of the present invention, the mobile platform need not be located above the road as a transmitting and/or receiving unit.

Some advantages of the communication method and system of the present invention include the relatively low power per signal, especially in traffic-dense areas where the distance between moving platforms is short. The low power signal poses significantly less harm to the user than the high power signal does. In addition, the communication method and network of the present invention does not require large and/or numerous base stations or cellular towers that are expensive, unsightly and undesirable, especially in high traffic areas and other areas where base stations and towers are not well suited. Mobile platforms providing the required signals may also form a communication network using the method and system of the present invention.

Fig. 11 illustrates another embodiment of the method and system of the present invention in which the mobile platform is a passenger aircraft. The first aircraft 81 is located within the coverage area of the information source 95, the first aircraft 81 using its onboard first transmit/receive unit to receive the signal 10 from the information source and to send a signal 12 via the first transmit/receive unit to a second transmit/receive unit located on the second aircraft 82, the second aircraft 82 not being within the coverage area of the information source 95. The second aircraft 82 may send signals 14 to a plurality of aircraft, such as aircraft 83, that are also not within reach of the original signal. These aircraft may be on parallel lines on land or water. It should be understood that the communication method and network of the present invention does not require that each aircraft or any particular aircraft be included in the communication network, nor that each particular aircraft be located at the same altitude. For example, the aircraft may be located on a route which is otherwise located above and below the route, and which therefore forms a route of the layered structure. It should also be understood that each aircraft need not be on a fixed route.

In another embodiment of the method and system of the present invention, an auxiliary communication system is used to enhance the communication method and system of the present invention. For example, a satellite communication system or a cellular communication system may be used to communicate directly with a mobile platform when there are not enough vehicles to adequately provide signals to the mobile platform. According to this embodiment, when a certain mobile platform enters a certain area, and the certain area has enough mobile platforms equipped with transmitting/receiving units to forward signals to the mobile platform entering the certain area, the mobile platform can communicate signals by using the vehicle-mounted communication method and the network of the present invention.

An example of this embodiment is a passenger aircraft flying on a sea route, for example, where the passenger aircraft is unable to receive the desired signals from other mobile platforms, the passenger aircraft may receive signals from a satellite or a ship, and where there are sufficient other passenger aircraft to establish the communication methods and networks of the present invention, the passenger aircraft may use the communication methods and networks of the present invention to communicate signals to other aircraft in the air or on the ground.

One embodiment (not shown) of the communication network and method of the present invention enables a mobile platform in the network to share information with other mobile platforms, the mobile platform may also provide location information during the information sharing process, and a location notification system is established within the network. For example, a mobile platform a in the network observes a joint accident on its course and issues accident reports to mobile platform B and mobile platform C on the course or on nearby courses, the reports containing information about the location and heading of mobile platform a. The mobile platforms B and C may adjust their heading to avoid this incident. Examples of location advisory information that may be provided by the method and system of the present invention are information about weather conditions or traffic congestion, from which other mobile platforms may adjust their orientation to avoid particularly severe weather conditions or traffic congestion.

Another embodiment (not shown) of the method and system of the present invention may provide multiple signals between the transmitting and receiving units of the network, where the signals need not be identical or contain identical information. For example, the first signal may contain combinatorial information destined for certain specific mobile platforms. Once the signal contacts the first destination mobile platform, the content intended for the first mobile platform may be removed from the first signal and a second signal may be sent to other mobile platforms in the network. This approach may be applicable to any number of mobile platforms. One example of the use of this network and method of the present invention is the use of a network or networks to provide communication services to a group of mobile platforms having a common affiliation. The mobile platforms may be distributed over travel paths, and the areas of the paths may receive at least one of the signals provided by a network and system of the present invention. Other mobile platforms that do not belong to the aforementioned clique but are also within the coverage area of the same mobile network may form part of the clique dynamic network, which may receive non-limiting signals but are prohibited from decoding signals specific to the clique. For example, techniques such as spread spectrum processing may be used to limit opportunities for illegal users to acquire and demodulate signals. Spread spectrum processing techniques have other advantages, such as reduced power spectral density and shielding of receiving devices from other signals. It should be understood, therefore, that not every mobile platform in the present methods and systems is the recipient of a signal or is entitled to interpret a desired signal. Some mobile platforms may simply be used as relays to relay signals to other mobile platforms.

In another embodiment of the method and system of the present invention, the communication network comprises one or more road base stations that provide signals to one or more mobile platforms located on the road and corresponding transmit/receive units carried by the mobile platforms for the purpose of providing signals to mobile platforms that are located outside of the desired signal coverage area. Fig. 12 shows an example of this embodiment of the invention, which in this example includes road stops PS1 and PS2, mobile platforms V1-V9, and road control stop CS 1. It will be appreciated that the road stations PS1, PS2 and CS1 may transmit and/or receive the required signals and may form a connection with an existing communications network, for example the internet or a public telephone network.

Examples of methods of providing signals to mobile platforms located on a roadway according to this embodiment of the invention include transmitting a desired signal 23 from at least one base station on the roadway, for example transmitting the desired signal 23 from PS1, receiving the desired signal using at least one transmit/receive unit on a plurality of respective mobile platforms, for example using a transmit/receive unit on mobile platform V1; the mobile platform is located within the reach of the desired signal 23, and the mobile platform receiving the signal 23 transmits a signal 25 to at least one second set of transmit/receive units located outside the coverage of the original signal 23, for example, the second transmit/receive unit located on the mobile platform V2; wherein the mobile platform on which the second transmit/receive unit is located is not within reach of the original signal 23. The method further comprises the step of re-transmitting the signal 27 to any one of the moving platforms V3-V6 after receiving the signal, the moving platforms V3-V6 being located on the road and not within the area covered by the original signal, so that each moving platform with the appropriate equipment can receive the required signal and forward the signal to the other moving platforms with the appropriate equipment. According to this approach, each road base station PS1 may monitor the communication on the local road and may forward the signal to one or more other road base stations PS2 via a communications network. Furthermore, it should be understood that the road control base stations CS1 associated with the road base stations PS1 and PS2 may be used to provide signals 101 from the public network to any one of the mobile platforms, such as the internet to the mobile platform; the mobile platforms are located on the road and are not within reach of the original signal, thus forming a communication network in which each mobile platform receives the desired signal and provides the received signal to the passengers on that mobile platform. According to this embodiment of the invention, the road control base station CS1 functions as an interface between one or more mobile platforms and other communication networks 100; such other communication networks include, for example, the internet, the public telephone network, a satellite network, a cable network, or other wired or wireless communication networks.

It should be understood that the road base station may also receive signals from one or more transmit/receive units, may participate in the retransmission of signals, and may assist in the roaming of signals between mobile platforms. Each road base station may also monitor the activity and signals of the mobile platform on the local road. For example, the road base station can also track mobile platforms and signal communications with appropriate equipment located on the road via two-way tracking channels and systems. The road base station and the network in the invention can be used for monitoring the number, the position and the speed of the mobile platforms in the communication network. The road base station may also monitor for problems with signal communications and mobile platforms that are about to enter the network or signal communications. Road base stations may use systems such as global positioning systems to help monitor mobile platforms and signals.

As shown in fig. 12, another embodiment of the present invention includes managing software executed by processor 64 in control station CS1, such as to optimize the road base stations, the available mobile platforms within the network, and storage media such as random access memory that can hold data until the mobile platform re-establishes a connection with the communication network when the mobile platform is disconnected from the communication network. In order to minimize the possibility of communication interruptions between the mobile platforms and the communication network, the road base station and the road control station may continuously determine how best to transmit signals to interconnect the mobile platforms as they travel from one area to another. For example, when a mobile platform enters a road, the mobile platform may locate and obtain communication signals from road base stations via its natural and transmit/receive units. In addition, whether multiple antennas or multiple sets of antennas are used, the road base station may simultaneously track and signal at least one mobile platform on the road, and the road base station may monitor the road to determine whether a new mobile platform enters the road.

It should be understood that in the road base station shown in fig. 12, the network of the present invention may have some redundancy in using the road base station. For example, several road base stations may be set up on a road, each base station using principles known in the art, such as using different frequency or polarization techniques to avoid adverse mutual interference between road base stations. When a certain road base station is in an overload state or when it is determined that a certain road base station is possibly overloaded, the redundant road base stations take over the control of one or more mobile platforms, so that the overload phenomenon of the first road base station is prevented. The control station CS1 may also perform a continuous monitoring process to discover possible overloading or failure of the road base station, to manage the mobile platform network and to ensure the quality of the network.

It should also be understood that the network and communication method of the present invention is not limited to a single mobile platform type, and the network and communication method of the present invention can be used by multiple mobile platforms.

It should be understood that at least some of the mobile platforms in the communication network of the present invention have receiving devices connected to the mobile platform that receive the desired signals. In addition, any one mobile platform or road base station in the network may have a transmit/receive unit, but not every mobile platform needs to have a transmit/receive unit. It should also be understood that any one of the vehicle or road base stations may be either the origin or the destination of the original signal.

It should be understood that the roadway referred to in the embodiments of the invention described above may be, for example, any of a highway, a waterway, or an airline, and that the roadway may be used by any of the mobile platforms described above. However, it should be understood that the method and network of the present invention are not limited to use with mobile platforms that are located on roads, and may be used with mobile platforms that are not located on roads. It should also be understood that the communication network and method of the present invention may be used even when the density of mobile platforms on a particular roadway is insufficient to form a continuous network. For example, the signaling method of the present invention may roam signals from various directions between roads as necessary to send signals to desired mobile platforms or road base stations. At some times, direct signaling may be used between the information source, the mobile platform, and the signal destination, and at other times, more circuitous signaling may be required. Furthermore, it should be understood that satellite delivery may be used as a supplement to the networks and methods of the present invention.

It should be understood that the system and network of the present invention may be implemented using either directional or omni-directional antennas coupled to transmitting and receiving devices and transmit/receive devices that transmit and receive desired signals between mobile platforms forming the network and system of the present invention. The mobile platform may be equipped with multiple antennas, for example two antennas, one for receiving signals and one for transmitting signals. For example, a mobile platform may receive signals at one frequency using a first antenna and transmit signals at another frequency using a second antenna. This embodiment also includes a mobile platform that includes multiple simultaneous receive signal and multiple simultaneous retransmit signal antennas, such as directional antennas that are aimed in several directions. In addition, the mobile platform may be equipped with separate multi-beam antennas capable of transmitting and/or receiving multiple signals simultaneously. It should be understood that the antennas may operate at any frequency and that the antennas or one of the plurality of antennas may operate at the same or different frequencies using the method of this embodiment and the communication method and network of the present invention. It should also be appreciated that different antenna polarizations may be used to avoid undesirable adverse interference between antennas or between antenna beams when operating at the same frequency.

It should be understood that the communication method and network of the present invention can be used to form a network supporting a variety of well-known modes, such as a synchronous transfer mode network and an internet protocol mode network. The method and system of the present invention also supports a plurality of digital coding techniques, such as time division multiple access or code division multiple access techniques, to increase the overall efficiency of the communication network of the present invention and to expand the spectrum of the communication network. The encoding techniques mentioned herein, as well as other encoding techniques, may be used to provide multi-channel access to a mobile platform. To ensure the quality of the data transmitted in the network, error correction coding and efficient data modulation forms may also be used.

It should be understood that other embodiments of the inventive network and method also include forming parallel and redundant signal lines, thereby providing redundant data transmission over multiple channels to avoid data loss, while also avoiding the use of low quality transmission lines and preventing signal congestion on certain roads in the network.

It should be understood that any of the embodiments of the present invention may use, for example, infrared signals, laser beams, microwave signals, radio signals, or optical signals to transmit and receive desired information signals to and from mobile platforms, information sources, information destinations, and other transmit/receive units in the network. For example, the use of infrared spectroscopy has the advantage of not having to worry about the infrared beam being in direct contact with the eye, which could cause damage to the eye.

Various modifications, adaptations, and improvements to those embodiments may occur to those skilled in the art and are intended to be within the scope of several embodiments of the present invention described herein. Such modifications, adaptations, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only, and the invention is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (37)

1. A method of providing information to a second mobile platform located on a second road to form an information network, wherein the second mobile platform is located in an area that is not within reach of the information source signal, the method comprising the steps of:

1) transmitting a signal containing information using a transmitting device at an information source;

2) receiving an information signal using a first transmit/receive unit located on a first mobile platform, wherein the first mobile platform is located on a first road, the road being within a signal coverage of an information source;

3) the information signal is forwarded using the first transmit/receive unit to a second transmit/receive unit located on a second mobile platform.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mobile platform travels in a first direction and the act of relaying the information signal comprises relaying the information signal to a second transmit/receive unit located on a second mobile platform, the second mobile platform traveling in a second direction.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mobile platform is traveling in a first direction and the act of relaying the information signal comprises relaying the information signal to a second transmit/receive unit located on a second mobile platform, the second mobile platform traveling in the first direction.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first road is the same road as the second road, and the act of forwarding the information signal comprises forwarding the information signal to a second transmit/receive unit located on a second mobile platform traveling in the same direction on the second road.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first road is the same road as the second road, and the act of relaying the information signal includes relaying the information signal to a second transmit/receive unit located on a second mobile platform traveling in a reverse direction on the second road.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second roads are parallel to each other, and the act of relaying the information signal includes relaying the information signal to a second transmit/receive unit located on a second mobile platform, the second mobile platform traveling in a co-current direction.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second roads are parallel to each other, and the act of relaying the information signal includes relaying the information signal to a second transmit/receive unit located on a second mobile platform, the second mobile platform traveling in a reverse direction.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first road intersects the second road, and the act of relaying the information signal comprises relaying the information signal to a second transmit/receive unit located on a second mobile platform at the intersection of the driving roads.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first road intersects the second road, and the act of relaying the information signal comprises relaying the information signal to a second transmit/receive unit located on a second mobile platform at the intersection of the driving off roads.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the relaying of the signal comprises relaying the signal to a transmitting/receiving unit carried by at least one mobile platform that is not located on the roadway.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring the information signals on the first mobile platform, the second mobile platform, and the roadway using a roadway base station.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of relaying the information signal includes the act of relaying the information signal to at least two mobile platforms located on the roadway.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising monitoring information signals on the mobile platform and the roadway using a roadway base station.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the information signal to a third mobile platform using an auxiliary communication system, wherein the third mobile platform is located in an area where there are insufficient mobile platforms to provide the information signal.

15. A system for providing an information signal to a second mobile platform, wherein the second mobile platform is not within a coverage area of an information source signal, the system comprising:

an information source comprising a transmitting device that transmits an information signal;

the first transmitting/receiving unit is positioned on a first mobile platform, and the first mobile platform is positioned on a road in the coverage range of the information source signal; the first transmitting/receiving unit receives the information signal and forwards the information signal;

the second transmitting/receiving unit is positioned on the second mobile platform and receives the information signal sent by the first transmitting/receiving unit;

wherein the second mobile platform is located on a second road.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the second mobile platform is located in an area where the communication channel already exists.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the first mobile platform and the second mobile platform travel in the same direction.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the first mobile platform and the second mobile platform travel toward each other.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the first roadway is the same roadway as the second roadway, and the first mobile platform travel in the same direction on the second roadway.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the first roadway is the same roadway as the second roadway on which the first mobile platform and the first mobile platform travel in opposition.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the first and second roads are parallel roads and the first and second mobile platforms travel in the same direction.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein the first and second roads are parallel roads and the first and second mobile platforms travel toward each other.

23. The system of claim 15, wherein the first road and the second road form an intersection, and at least one of the first mobile platform and the second mobile platform is directed toward the intersection of the roads.

24. The system of claim 15, wherein the first road and the second road form an intersection and at least one of the first mobile platform and the second mobile platform moves away from the intersection of the roads.

25. The system of claim 15, further comprising at least one other transmit/receive unit located on a mobile platform, the transmit/receive unit receiving and forwarding the information signal to provide the information signal between the information source and the second mobile platform.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the at least one other transmit/receive unit is located on a mobile platform that is not on a roadway.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the at least one mobile platform is a satellite.

28. The system of claim 15, further comprising an auxiliary communication network, the auxiliary communication network communicating directly with a third mobile platform located in an area where there are insufficient mobile platforms to provide signals to the third mobile platform.

29. The system of claim 15, further comprising a roadway base station that monitors the first mobile platform and the second mobile platform on the roadway.

30. The system as in claim 15, further comprising:

at least one road base station for monitoring the mobile platform on the road;

and a road control station connected to the road base station and the existing communication network, the control station controlling communication between the road base station and the existing communication network.

31. The system of claim 15, wherein the first mobile platform and the second mobile platform are ground vehicles.

32. The system of claim 15, wherein the first mobile platform and the second mobile platform are aircraft.

33. The system of claim 15, wherein the first mobile platform and the second mobile platform are automobiles.

34. The system of claim 15, wherein the first mobile platform and the second mobile platform are marine vehicles.

35. The system of claim 15, wherein the first road and the second road are highways.

36. The system of claim 15, wherein the first road and the second road are ship channels.

37. The system of claim 15, wherein the first road and the second road are flight paths.