COMMUNICATION RELAY SYSTEM USING HIGH-ALTITUDE AIRCRAFT AND BEAM CONTROLLED GROUND-STATIONS

摘要

This disclosure provides a communication system using a high-altitude aircraft traveling at relatively slow speeds, which can remain airborne for long periods of time. The communication system uses the airplane as a long term high altitude platform that relays signals between one or more ground-stations and/or satellites, aircraft, and the like. The ground-stations have narrow-beam antennas that are aimable, permitting the aircraft to maintain a larger station than would otherwise be possible using the narrow-beam antennas. The ground-stations adjust their aim based on information either gained by tracking the aircraft's signal, or transmitted by the aircraft to the ground-station.