System and Methods for Simultaneous Wireless Broadband Communication Between Multiple Base Stations
A system and method for balancing loads in wireless data communication between an airborne platform and at least two surface base stations is provided. In this system, an antenna array located on the airborne platform is capable of transmitting more than one beamform to each of the base stations independently. Likewise, each base station may likewise be capable of beamforming data transmissions to the airborne platform. The system may vary amounts of data sent between the airborne platform and the various base stations in order to balance loads upon each base station. Determination on balancing of loads is often dependent upon the data requirements of the airborne platform. Additionally, the bandwidth usage (or availability) of the base stations may be taken into consideration when determining load balancing. This kind of load balancing enables more efficient cell to cell handovers. Further, load balancing between multiple base stations enables the airborne platform to receive busts of higher data throughput by simultaneously receiving data transmissions from the various base stations.
1 . A method for balancing loads in a wireless data communication between an airborne platform and at least two surface base stations, the method comprising:
generating a first directional beam which is spatially directed to a first surface base station, wherein the first directional beam is generated from an antenna array on an airborne platform;
generating a second directional beam, using the same antenna array on the airborne platform, wherein second directional beam is spatially directed towards a second surface base station;
receiving at least one return signals from the first surface base station;
receiving at least one return signals from the second surface base station; and
varying amounts of data transmitted between the first surface base station and the second surface base station such that loads depend upon data requirements.
2 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first directional beam and the second directional beam are generated by modifying at least one of phase and amplitude of a base signal and providing the modified base signal to at least one element in the antenna array.
3 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the varying amounts of data transmitted between the first surface base station and the second surface base station is performed such that loads upon each of the first surface base station and the second surface base station are balanced.
4 . The method as recited in claim 3 , wherein balancing the loads upon each of the first surface base station and the second surface base station is dependent upon the data requirements of the airborne platform.
5 . The method as recited in claim 3 , wherein balancing the loads upon each of the first surface base station and the second surface base station is dependent upon the bandwidth available at the first surface base station and the second surface base station.
6 . The method as recited in claim 3 , wherein the first surface base station assists the handover of the second directional beam from the second surface base station to a third surface base station.
7 . The method as recited in claim 3 , wherein balancing the loads upon each of the first surface base station and the second surface base station enables higher burst data throughput.
8 . The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein higher burst data throughput is enabled by simultaneously transmitting data to the airborne platform from both the first surface base station and the second surface base station.
9 . A system for balancing loads in a wireless data communication between an airborne platform and at least two surface base stations, the system comprising:
an antenna array on an airborne platform, the antenna array configured to:
generate a first directional beam which is spatially directed to a first surface base station;
generate a second directional beam which is spatially directed a second surface base station;
receive a first return signals from the first surface base station;
receive a second return signals from the second surface base station; and
vary amounts of data transmitted between the first surface base station and the second surface base station such that loads depend upon data requirements.
10 . The system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the first directional beam and the second directional beam are generated by modifying at least one of phase and amplitude of a base signal and providing the modified base signal to at least one element in the antenna array.
11 . The system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the varying amounts of data transmitted between the first surface base station and the second surface base station is performed such that loads upon each of the first surface base station and the second surface base station are balanced.
12 . The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein balancing the loads upon each of the first surface base station and the second surface base station is dependent upon the data requirements of the airborne platform.
13 . The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein balancing the loads upon each of the first surface base station and the second surface base station is dependent upon the bandwidth available at the first surface base station and the second surface base station.
14 . The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the first surface base station assists the handover of the second directional beam from the second surface base station to a third surface base station.
15 . The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein balancing the loads upon each of the first surface base station and the second surface base station enables higher burst data throughput.
16 . The system as recited in claim 15 , wherein higher burst data throughput is enabled by simultaneously transmitting data to the airborne platform from both the first surface base station and the second surface base station.
17 . A method for balancing loads in a wireless data communication between an airborne platform and at least two surface base stations, the method comprising:
generating a first directional beam which is spatially directed to a first surface base station, wherein the first directional beam is generated from an antenna array on an airborne platform, and wherein the first directional beam is generated by modifying at least one of phase and amplitude of a base signal and providing the modified base signal to some element in the antenna array;
generating a second directional beam, using the same antenna array on the airborne platform, wherein second directional beam is spatially directed a second surface base station, and wherein the second directional beam is generated by modifying at least one of phase and amplitude of a base signal and providing the modified base signal to at least one element in the antenna array;
receiving at least two return signals from the first and second surface base station; and
varying amounts of data sent between the first directional beam and the second directional beam such that loads upon each of the first surface base station and the second surface base station are balanced, and wherein balancing the loads upon each of the first surface base station and the second surface base station is dependent upon at least one of the data requirements of the airborne platform, and the bandwidth available at the first surface base station and the second surface base station.