US 11,871,245 B2
Architecture for simultaneous spectrum usage by air-to-ground and terrestrial networks
Ryan M. Stone, Charlotte, NC (US); and Douglas Hyslop, Vienna, VA (US)
Assigned to SMARTSKY NETWORKS LLC, Morrisville, NC (US)
Filed by SMARTSKY NETWORKS LLC, Morrisville, NC (US)
Filed on Mar. 29, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/706,944.
Application 17/706,944 is a continuation of application No. 17/067,120, filed on Oct. 9, 2020, granted, now 11,317,297.
Application 17/067,120 is a continuation of application No. 16/271,082, filed on Feb. 8, 2019, granted, now 10,820,210.
Application 16/271,082 is a continuation of application No. 16/039,843, filed on Jul. 19, 2018, granted, now 10,244,402, issued on Mar. 26, 2019.
Application 16/039,843 is a continuation of application No. 15/637,460, filed on Jun. 29, 2017, granted, now 10,057,783, issued on Aug. 21, 2018.
Application 15/637,460 is a continuation of application No. 15/287,914, filed on Oct. 7, 2016, granted, now 9,730,077, issued on Aug. 8, 2017.
Application 15/287,914 is a continuation of application No. 14/595,512, filed on Jan. 13, 2015, granted, now 9,491,635, issued on Nov. 8, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2022/0225111 A1, Jul. 14, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H04W 16/14 (2009.01); H04B 7/185 (2006.01); H04W 16/28 (2009.01); H04W 24/02 (2009.01); H04W 16/02 (2009.01); H04W 88/08 (2009.01); H04W 84/00 (2009.01); H04W 84/06 (2009.01)
CPC H04W 16/14 (2013.01) [H04B 7/18504 (2013.01); H04B 7/18506 (2013.01); H04W 16/02 (2013.01); H04W 16/28 (2013.01); H04W 24/02 (2013.01); H04B 7/18508 (2013.01); H04W 84/005 (2013.01); H04W 84/06 (2013.01); H04W 88/08 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for supporting air-to-ground (ATG) wireless communication in various cells, the system comprising:
a plurality of ATG base stations, each of which defines a corresponding radiation pattern focusing energy toward the horizon, wherein the ATG base stations are spaced apart from each other to define at least partially overlapping coverage areas forming an ATG communication layer defined between a first altitude and a second altitude; and
an antenna assembly of an aircraft, the antenna assembly being configured to communicate with the ATG base stations in the ATG communication layer above a terrestrial communication layer defined by terrestrial transmitters configured to communicate with user equipment located on the ground in a ground communication layer below the first altitude,
wherein the antenna assembly comprises a blade antenna,
wherein the blade antenna comprises multiple transmission elements having selectable directivity, and
wherein the blade antenna is configured to employ side lobe suppression techniques to reduce interference with the terrestrial transmitters.