U.S. patent application number 12/309944 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-06 for control device for shielding a room.
This patent application is currently assigned to Airbus Deutschland GmbH. Invention is credited to Sven Knefelkamp, Jan Mueller, Joerg Pump.
Application Number | 20100112933 12/309944 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38921861 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100112933 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mueller; Jan ; et
al. |
May 6, 2010 |
CONTROL DEVICE FOR SHIELDING A ROOM
Abstract
A control device that shields a room from incoming signals
includes a receiving device, an interference device and a
transmitting device. By the receiving device transmission signals
are received, from which an interference signal is determined in
order to interfere with the transmission signal. This interference
signal is emitted by way of the transmitting device.
Inventors: |
Mueller; Jan; (Hamburg,
DE) ; Pump; Joerg; (Hamburg, DE) ; Knefelkamp;
Sven; (Wedel, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER, DAVID, LITTENBERG,;KRUMHOLZ & MENTLIK
600 SOUTH AVENUE WEST
WESTFIELD
NJ
07090
US
|
Assignee: |
Airbus Deutschland GmbH
Hamburg
DE
|
Family ID: |
38921861 |
Appl. No.: |
12/309944 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
August 2, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2007/006859 |
371 Date: |
February 2, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60821150 |
Aug 2, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 7/18506 20130101;
H04W 84/005 20130101; H04W 88/08 20130101; H04B 1/3838 20130101;
H04W 52/243 20130101; H04B 17/345 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/1 |
International
Class: |
H04K 3/00 20060101
H04K003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 2, 2006 |
DE |
10 2006 036 082.6 |
Claims
1. A control device for shielding a room, the control device
comprising: a receiving device; an interference device; a
transmitting device for transmitting an interference signal;
wherein the receiving device is adapted for receiving a
transmission signal; wherein the transmission signal comprises a
radio signal; wherein the interference device is adapted, from the
received transmission signal to determine the interference signal
such that the transmission signal is interferable with by the
determined interference signal; wherein the transmitting device is
adapted to emit the determined interference signal.
2. The control device of claim 1, wherein the transmission signal
comprises a mobile radio signal, and the control device is adapted
for a mobile radio system for an aircraft.
3. The control device of claim 2, wherein the mobile radio signal
is selected from the group consisting of a GSM signal, CDMA signal,
UMTS signal, GPRS signal, HSCSD signal, PDC signal, UWC signal,
American mobile phone system signal, IS 95 A-signal and a wireless
local area network-signal.
4. The control device of claim 1, wherein the interference signal
is a noise signal.
5. The control device of claim 1, wherein the interference signal
is selected from the group consisting of a GSM signal, CDMA signal,
UMTS signal, GPRS signal, HSCSD signal, PDC signal, UWC signal,
American mobile phone system signal, IS 95 A-signal and a wireless
local area network-signal.
6. The control device of claim claims 1, wherein the interference
signal is selectable depending on the received transmission
signal.
7. The control device of claim 6, wherein the interference signal
is selectable from a database.
8. The control device of claim 1, wherein the interference signal
has a power; wherein the power of the interference signal is
adjustable such that the received transmission signal is covered
up; and wherein the power of the interference signal is adjustable
such that the signal of a local transmitting-receiving device is
receivable in the room.
9. The control device of claim 8, wherein the control device is
connected to the local transmitting-receiving device.
10. The control device of claim 8, wherein the local
transmitting-receiving device is a base transceiver station.
11. The control device of claim 8, wherein the interference signal
by the control device in conjunction with the local
transmitting-receiving device is adjustable such that the radio
frequency emission of a mobile terminal is adjustable.
12. The control device of claim 1, wherein the transmitting device
comprises an antenna for emitting the interference signal.
13. The control device of claim 12, wherein the antenna comprises a
leaky line antenna.
14. The control device of claims 1, further comprising: a
coordination device; wherein the coordination device is connected
to the control device; and wherein the coordination device is
adapted for controlling the control device.
15. The control device of claim 14, wherein the coordination device
is furthermore connected to the local transmitting-receiving
device.
16. The control device of claim 14, wherein the coordination device
further comprises a satellite connection device; wherein the
satellite connection device is adapted for transmitting a signal of
the local transmitting-receiving device by a satellite
connection.
17. The control device of claim 14, wherein the coordination device
(404) comprises a flight attendant panel; wherein the flight
attendant panel is adapted for operating at least one of the
coordination device and the control device.
18. The control device of claim 14, wherein the coordination device
comprises a server.
19. A system for shielding a room, comprising: a control device for
shielding a room, comprising: a receiving device; an interference
device; a transmitting device for transmitting an interference
signal; wherein the receiving device is adapted for receiving a
transmission signal; wherein the transmission signal comprises a
radio signal; wherein the interference device is adapted, from the
received transmission signal to determine the interference signal
such that the transmission signal is interferable with by the
determined interference signal; wherein the transmitting device is
adapted to emit the determined interference signal; a
transmitting-receiving device; wherein the control device is
adapted for receiving a transmission signal; wherein the
transmission signal comprises a radio signal; wherein the control
device is adapted to determine an interference signal from the
received transmission signal so that when the interference signal
is emitted, the transmission signal is interfered with such, that a
signal of the transmitting-receiving device is distinguishable from
the interference signal; and wherein the control device is adapted
to emit the determined interference signal.
20. The system of claim 19, further comprising: a transmitting
device; wherein the transmitting device by the coordination, device
is connected to the transmitting-receiving device; and wherein the
transmitting device is adapted for transmitting the signal of the
transmitting-receiving device.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the transmitting device
comprises a satellite connection.
22. The system of claim 20, further comprising: a communication
network; wherein the communication network is connected to the
transmitting device; and wherein the communication network is
adapted for transmitting the signal of the transmitting device.
23. A method for shielding a room, comprising: receiving a
transmission signal; wherein the transmission signal comprises a
radio signal; determining an interference signal from the received
transmission signal such that the transmission signal is
interferable with by the interference signal; emitting the
determined interference signal.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the received transmission
signal 4comprises a mobile radio signal.
25. The method of claim 23, further comprising: emitting a noise
signal.
26. The method of claim 23, further comprising: emitting the
interference signal that is selected from the group consisting of a
GSM signal, CDMA signal, UMTS signal, GPRS signal, HSCSD signal,
PDC signal, UWC signal, American mobile phone system signal, IS95
A-signal and a wireless local area network-signal.
27. The method of claim 23, further comprising: selecting the
interference signal from a database.
28. The method of claim 23, further comprising: selecting a power
of the interference signal such that the received transmission
signal is covered; and selecting the power of the interference
signal such that the signal of a local transmitting-receiving
device is receivable in the room.
29. The method of claim 23, further comprising: adjusting the
interference signal by the control device in conjunction with a
local transmitting-receiving device such that the radio frequency
emission of a mobile terminal is adjustable.
30. The method of claim 28, further comprising: adjusting a signal
of the local transmitting-receiving device to a satellite
connection; transmitting the signal of the local
transmitting-receiving device via the satellite connection.
31. An aircraft comprising a control device for shielding a room,
the control device comprising: a receiving device; an interference
device; a transmitting device for transmitting an interference
signal; wherein the receiving device is adapted for receiving a
transmission signal; wherein the transmission signal comprises a
radio signal; wherein the interference device is adapted, from the
received transmission signal to determine the interference signal
such that the transmission signal is interferable with by the
determined interference signal; wherein the transmitting device is
adapted to emit the determined interference signal.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/821,150 filed Aug. 2,
2006, and of German Patent Application DE 10 2006 036 082.6 filed
Aug. 2, 2006, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the shielding of signals
for a mobile radio system, in particular in an aircraft.
Furthermore, the present invention in particular relates to a
control device for shielding a room, to a system for shielding a
room, to a method for shielding a room, and to an aircraft with a
control device for shielding a room.
TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND
[0003] In the course of the further development of the mobile radio
technology or mobile radiotelephone technology, respectively and
the wide distribution of mobile radio terminals or mobile radio end
devices, respectively, it may be a desire of passengers of an
airline to use the mobile phones or other portable electronic
devices during a flight as well. However, up to now the use of
passenger's proprietary portable electronic devices on board of
aircrafts may be, as a rule, not allowed due to various factors.
For example, the power necessary for the operation may generate
electromagnetic radiation that might lead to the failure of systems
in an aircraft. Furthermore, proper reception during a flight may
not be ensured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] There may be a need to enable efficiently using mobile
terminals in a room.
[0005] Accordingly, a control device for shielding a room or a
space, respectively, a system for shielding a room, a method for
shielding a room, and an aircraft comprising a control device for
shielding a room are created.
[0006] In the following, the term transmitting device may be used
for a sending device or transmitting device, respectively.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
control device for shielding a room is provided, wherein the
control device comprises a receiving device, an interference
device, and a sending device or transmitting device, respectively
for an interference signal. Thereby, the receiving device is
adapted such that the receiving device is capable receiving a
transmission signal. Thereby, the transmission signal is a radio
signal that is transmitted for communication purposes by a
transmitting station and/or receiving station, a base station or a
transmitting-receiving station outside the room. In the context of
this document the term "transmission signal" refers to both the
signal that is transmitted or sent by the base station and the
signal that is received by the base station.
[0007] Thereby, the interference device is adapted such that the
interference device determines an interference signal from the
received transmission signal such that the transmission signal is
interferable-with by the determined, detected or calculated
interference signal in the case of superposition or that the
transmission signal is interferable by superposing of received
transmission signal with the interference signal. Furthermore, the
transmitting device is adapted such that the transmitting device
emits the interference signal determined in this manner.
[0008] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a system for shielding a room is created or provided,
wherein the system comprises a control device having the
above-mentioned features. Furthermore, the system comprises a
transmitting-receiving device inside the room, wherein the control
device is adapted such that the control device receives a
transmission signal coming from the exterior or from outside the
room. This transmission signal is a radio signal. Furthermore, the
control device is adapted such that the control device determines
an interference signal from the received external transmission
signal so that when the interference signal is emitted, the
transmission signal is interfered with such that a signal of a
local transmitting-receiving device is distinguishable from the
interfered-with signal. The interference signal generated in this
manner may be emitted by the control device. Emitting of the signal
may take place in the room so that inside the room at least a part
of the transmission signal, which transmission signal may enter the
room may become the interfered-with signal. Thus, the entering
transmission signal may be made unrecognisable.
[0009] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a method for shielding a room is created or provided.
According to this method a transmission signal is received. The
transmission signal may be any kind of radio signal. For example, a
transmission signal is a radio signal that may be emitted by a
mobile radio base station, by a mobile phone base station or by a
mobile radio terminal or by a mobile radio and device. After
receipt of the transmission signal, an interference signal may be
identified, established or determined from the received
transmission signal, such that the transmission signal can be
interferable with by emitting the interference signal. This
determined interference signal may be finally emitted in order to
cause interference to a part of the transmission signal that enters
the room.
[0010] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, an aircraft comprising a control device for shielding a
room is provided.
[0011] Even if emitted radio signals may be emitted in a
directional manner for example by base stations, base transceiver
stations or BTSs, it may still happen that the radio signal also
propagates in a certain area or region, respectively above the base
station. Because of reflections or fading phenomena it may be
encouraged that radio signals propagate to locations where the
radio signals may cause interference.
[0012] Thus, it may also happen during passing or flying over a
base station or over other types of radio stations that radio
signals may also enter a room or the cabin of an aircraft which
aircraft may be overflying this base station. If the wall of the
cabin may be transmissive to radio signals or to electromagnetic
waves or penetrable for radio signals, the cabin, and in particular
the interior of the cabin, may be penetrated by the signals. Thus,
in the interior of the cabin a transmission signal from a
terrestrial base station may unintentionally appear.
[0013] Due to the partially very large distance between the
aircraft and the radio source or base station and also due to
attenuation phenomena during entering into the cabin interior or
the interior of the room, weakening of the radio signals may
occur.
[0014] An electronic terminal or an electronic end device,
respectively which may be adapted for the communication with a
corresponding base station, in particular a subscriber terminal,
subscriber end-device, a user equipment (UE), a personal digital
assistant (PDA) or a mobile radiotelephone, or a cell phone, may be
adapted such that on receiving a weak radio signal the mobile radio
telephone may attempt to establish contact with this radio source
by transmitting or sending, respectively a corresponding radio
signal at high power.
[0015] Due to the increased power that is used for connecting to
the radio source and in particular to the base station,
interference to electronic devices located in the aircraft may
occur. This interference may be caused by the emission of
electromagnetic radiation, which emission may lead to
electromagnetic interference (EMI). This EMI in turn may lead to
failure of a critical device on board the aircraft, like of a
navigation device.
[0016] By shielding the signals entering the aircraft cabin from
the outside it may be prevented, that a device used on board of an
aircraft, i.e. in the interior of the cabin or of the room, may try
registering with and logging into a remote or external radio
network and in particular into a remote transmission station or
base station with increased power.
[0017] However, it may be desirable that the use of a mobile
subscriber terminal or the use of a subscriber end device by a
passenger on board an aircraft may be possible. Thereby, it may be
desirable that for the passenger the services may be provided with
which the passenger is familiar by using the corresponding device
on the ground. In other words, it may be desirable that services
are offered to the passenger, which the passenger knows by using
the corresponding device on ground. Apart from voice communication,
such a service may be, for example, the short message service (SMS)
or the multimedia message service (MMS) or another data
service.
[0018] By a control device now the sending signal that may be
present from a base station located outside the aircraft on the
ground, or from a terrestrial base station, may be detected or
identified and a corresponding interference signal may be
determined or generated. Therefore, for example, the frequency
used, the coding method used and/or the corresponding power of the
incoming signal or entering signal, respectively may be determined
identified.
[0019] The control device may transmit or send the determined
interference signal in the interior of the room so that by the
emission of the interference signal the transmission signal which,
for example, may be received from the ground or from outside the
aircraft cabin, may no longer be recognised or detected or
identified by a terminal or by an end device, respectively as being
a valid signal. In other words, the control device may transmit or
send the determined interference signal in the interior of the room
so that by the emission of the interference signal, the sending
signal or the transmission signal, which for example, may be
received from the ground or from the outside the aircraft cabine,
may no longer be recognised or detected or identified by a terminal
or by an end device, respectively as being a valid signal.
Consequently, the mobile terminal or mobile end device,
respectively may no longer log into the external transmission
source
[0020] In contrast to this, on board the aircraft an additional
base station may be provided which may send out a signal and which
may cause a mobile terminal to establish contact with the
additional base station. In other words this means that the mobile
terminal may be made to believe that the base station located on
board, i.e. the on-board base station, may be the only counter
station or base station located close to the mobile terminal.
Thereby, the terminal may log into the base station located on
board or the on-board base station, whereby the terminal may become
operable, controllable or adjustable by the base station. By the
artificial, interference of the signal entering from the outside,
and by rendering this signal unrecognisable to the mobile terminal,
the mobile terminal may only react to the control signals and radio
signals of the on-board base station.
[0021] Since a mixture of several transmission signals may be
formed in the interior of the room, the control device may also
generate a corresponding combined interference signal so that all
external sources may be rendered unrecognisable.
[0022] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a control device is created in which the transmission
signal is a mobile radio signal or a mobile phone signal,
respectively. Thereby, the control device is equipped or adapted
for a mobile radio system for an aircraft or for a mobile phone
system for an aircraft, respectively.
[0023] With the use of a mobile radio signal that may follow a
standard or a mobile radio signal according to a standard, the
control device may be used for the use of a mobile radio terminal
or a mobile phone or a cellular phone. Thus, the communication by a
mobile radiotelephone may be made possible on board and may also be
allowed. The mobile radiotelephone protocol used for the
communication with a mobile radio terminal may also provide a
control signal by which control signal the transmission power of a
mobile telephone or mobile phone, respectively may be adjusted.
Thus, by the base station the mobile telephone may be controlled,
its transmission power may be reduced, or the mobile telephone may
be switched off if required.
[0024] Since the control device may be adapted for a mobile radio
system, the system may easily be integrated in an aircraft.
Concerning the weight of the control device and concerning the
installation dimensions of the control device, the control device
may be adapted to the requirements of aircraft construction.
Thereby, a light weight may be desirable. Furthermore, particular
requirements concerning current terminals or power supply
terminals, respectively and concerning power consumption in the
design of the control device and as well in the design of the
entire on-board mobile radio system or on-board mobile telephone
system (OMTS) and of other interfaces may be tailored to aircraft
construction. Conventional telephone infrastructure may operate at
a voltage supply of +48V. In order to meet the requirements in an
aircraft, the control device and all the other elements intended
for the installation on board may be supplied with a voltage of
115V and with variable frequency.
[0025] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a control device is created in which the mobile radio
signal or the mobile phone signal or mobile radiotelephone signal,
respectively may be selected from the group consisting of the
mobile radiotelephone signals, of a global system mobile
(GSM)-signal, a code division multiple access (CDMA)-signal, a
universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS)-signal, a general
packed radio service (GPRS)-signal, a high speed circuit switched
data (HSCSD)-signal, a personal digital cellular (PDC)-signal, a
universal wireless communications (UWC)-signal, an American mobile
phone system (AMPS)-signal, an IS 95A-signal and a wireless local
area network (WLAN)-signal.
[0026] With a control device that reacts such to a corresponding
mobile radiotelephone signal it may be possible, also when
overflying regions that may use different mobile radiotelephone
standards or a mixture of radio standards, to react and to provide
a corresponding interfering signal.
[0027] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a control device is provided, wherein the interference
signal is a noise signal.
[0028] By a noise signal, interference to a wanted signal entering
from the outside may be made unrecognisable to a mobile terminal so
that the wanted signal may not be visible to a mobile terminal
located on board. In other words, by a noise signal interference to
a wanted signal entering from the outside may be made so that the
wanted signal entering from the outside may be made unrecognisable
to a mobile terminal. Thus, it may also be possible to achieve
log-in at a desired base station when the transmission signal of
the base station; for example of the on-board base station, may
have more power than the interfered-with transmission signal, and
thus, may be distinguishable from the interfered-with transmission
signal. The interfered-with transmission signal, for example, may
appear as a noise signal that may not contain any wanted
information for a terminal or information useful to a terminal or
payload information for a terminal.
[0029] Thereby the wanted signal or the useful signal of the
corresponding desired base station may quasi jut out from the noisy
ambient signal. Consequently a mobile telephone may orient at this
jutting-out signal, i.e. a mobile telephone may find its bearings
from this jutting-out signal and may register or log in,
respectively, in a targeted manner, with the associated base
station. Thereby, the noise signal may be white noise. However,
other embodiments of noise signal may also be imaginable.
[0030] By a noise signal it may be not only possible to interfere
with a certain type of transmission signal of the ground station,
but also when several different protocols may be present, these
protocols may be interfered with at the same time. By a
corresponding directional characteristic, the entire interior of
the room or of the aircraft cabin may be filled with a
corresponding counter-noise signal or a corresponding interference
mobile radio signal so that the interior region of the room may
essentially be shielded by rendering the incoming signals
unrecognisable. However, by the noise signal, or by another
interference signal, in a targeted manner certain bands of a mobile
radio channel may be interfered-with. In the interior of the cabin
or of the room, a noise carpet or a noise floor may emerge, from
which only the desired base station may jut out.
[0031] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a control device is provided, wherein the interference
signal is selected from the group consisting of a GSM-signal, a
CDMA-signal, a UMTS-signal, a GPRS-signal, an HSCSD-signal, a
PDC-signal, a UWC-signal, an AMPS-signal, an IS95A-signal and a
WLAN-signal.
[0032] With the use of a correspondingly listed mobile
radiotelephone protocol in a targeted manner only one corresponding
type of a mobile radio network may be interfered with. Thus, it may
be possible to refer to the nationally applying regulatory
requirements of the countries that may be overflown by the
aircraft. The different mobile radio protocols may be interfered
with by different methods. Thereby, the method used to interfere
with the mobile radio network of the corresponding country which
country may be flown over may be made dependent on the region which
may be flown over. In other words, thereby, the method used to
interfere with the mobile radio network of the corresponding
country over which the aircraft may fly may be made dependent on
the region over which the aircraft may fly.
[0033] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a control device is created in which the interference
signal is selectable depending on the received transmission signal.
By the control device it may first be determined, which interfering
transmission signals, for example of terrestrial transmitters, in
the surroundings and/or in the interior of the room may exist. When
the type of the transmission signal may have been determined, by a
correspondingly selected interference signal that may be
transmitted into the interior of the room region, in a targeted
manner or intentionally interference of one received transmission
signal or of the received transmission signal may be achieved.
[0034] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, an interference signal may be selectable from a
database.
[0035] This database may, for example, be connected to a global
positioning system (GPS) or to another navigation device of the
aircraft so that with the aid of this navigation device it may be
possible to determine which country may be flown over at the time
or which country the aircraft may be flying over at the time. In
the database an allocation may be made of country information to
the correspondingly used and standardised mobile radio standards in
the corresponding country. Thus, during flying over a country, an
adaptation of the interference signal may be effected corresponding
to the country that may be overflown at the time. Furthermore, thus
a country-specific regulatory provision such as a maximum
applicable power may be set up.
[0036] By a database it may also be determined where, i.e. in which
country, the use of a mobile radiotelephone on board an aircraft
may be permitted and in which flight phase the use of a mobile
telephone or of another electronic radio terminal may be
permissible. Thereby, factors such as the actually achieved
altitude, or the square grid being overflown, may be taken into
account and may be established via links of the database. In
particular flight phases such as in the ascent phase or the descent
phase using a mobile device may, for example, be prohibited.
[0037] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a control device is created, wherein the interference
signal comprises a power, and this power of the interference signal
may be adjustable such that the received transmission signal may be
covered up by the interference signal, and as a result of this a
noise signal may arise which may not contain any usable
information. Thereby, the power of the interference signal may
moreover be adjustable such that at the same time the signal of a
local transmitting-receiving device may be receivable in the
room.
[0038] By covering up the received external transmission signal,
which may be entered the cabin, with the associated interference
signal, the interior of a space may be shielded such that only the
local transmitting-receiving device, which device may, for example,
be on board the aircraft, is visible. The transmitting-receiving
device may, for example, be a base station for a GSM- or
UMTS-mobile radio network. With a corresponding number of base
stations, a mobile radiotelephone network on board the aircraft may
be established. This on-board mobile radio network may be
comparable to a mobile radio network located on the ground. To the
terminals or end devices, such an on-board mobile radio network may
be transparent like a mobile radio network located on the
ground.
[0039] Due to the proximity of the corresponding base station to a
terminal on board, the aircraft, wherein the base station in
relation to the power may jut out beyond the interference signal,
the electrical power of a connection between the terminal and the
base station may be selected so as to be correspondingly low.
Thereby, it may be prevented, that due to a power may be being too
high, and the associated electromagnetic interference (EMI) or
electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) factors of influence,
interference with critical on-board instruments may be generated.
Due to the fact that the base station, which to the on-board mobile
telephone system (OMTS) may be a transmission system, is located
on-board the aircraft, the electromagnetic interference (EMI)
conformity may be specially considered. Thereby, the form and type
of the particular aircraft may be taken into account.
[0040] By a test- and approval process it may be determined that
the EMI specifications are met. In other words this means that
neither the mobile radio station on board nor any other active and
properly functioning system such as an antenna or the system itself
may have an influence on aircraft systems whose criticality has
been classified as being "major" even in the case that the mobile
radio station or the other active and properly functioning system
may not operate as specified. For example, an aircraft system whose
criticality, for example, may be classified as being "major" may be
navigation or communication.
[0041] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the control device may be connected to the local
transmitting-receiving device or to the local base-stations or
on-board base stations, respectively.
[0042] By connecting the local transmitting-receiving device to the
control device, communication between the control device and the
transmitting-receiving device may be made possible. Thus a
connection or a relation, respectively between the interference
signals and the corresponding power of the base station may be
established.
[0043] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the local transmitting-receiving device is a base
transceiver station (BTS) or a base station for a mobile radio
system or a base station for a mobile radiotelephone system.
[0044] The use of a BTS may render the use of the mobile
communication for the mobile terminals transparent to the mobile
communication deployed on the ground. The user or users therefore
may do not have to accept any learning, adjustment or re-learning,
respectively for the use of their mobile terminals on board an
aircraft. Instead, for the user the use of the mobile terminal may
turn out to be in the same manner as on ground. In other words,
user may use their mobile terminals in the same manner as they do
on the ground. A passenger (PAX) may thus also use the services of
a mobile radio network that the passenger may know from use on the
ground. For example, an SMS or GPRS or some other service may be
used. Concerning the services used, it may also be possible to
avoid that the user may have to adjust, re-learn or to get
accustomed to a different routine. Thereby, the acceptance of the
services that may be used on board may be increased.
[0045] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a control device is created, wherein the interference
signal of the control device in conjunction with the local
transmitting-receiving device may be settable or adjustable such
that the radio frequency emission of a mobile terminal may be
settable or adjustable from a mobile terminal. This means that the
control device may provide the option of influencing the behaviour
of a terminal. This control option or regulation option may be
precluded if the terminals being connected to terrestrial base
stations. If interference by a terminal may occur, the terminal may
be switched off. In other words, if the terminal may cause any
interference the terminal may be switched off.
[0046] By the control device or the on-board control equipment
(OBCE), control signals may be sent to the BTS. The BTS may operate
according to a mobile radio standard such as the GSM or UMTS
systems. Within a mobile radio standard it may be provided for a
base station to regulate the power with which a mobile terminal
attempts to log into the corresponding base station. Since due to
the interfered-with other external radio signals the on-board
mobile terminals may all preferably log into the on-board BTS, it
may thus be possible to realise a control of the mobile terminals
used on board, e.g. by a mobile radiotelephone protocol. This may,
for example, be useful if in a critical flight phase the shutdown
or the reduction of the power of all the mobile terminals used on
board may have to be achieved. Such uniform shutdown may, for
example, take place from the cockpit, i.e. controlled from the
cockpit.
[0047] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a control device is stated, wherein the transmitting
device comprises an antenna for emitting the interference signal.
By the antenna, interference signals may be distributed in a
targeted manner in the interior of the room. By a directional
antenna characteristic, and in particular with, the use of a leaky
line antenna or an electronically controlled array antenna, the
room region in which transmission signals or sending signals,
respectively may have to be interfered with may be defined. In
other words this means that in the desired room regions an
intruding external signal may be interfered with.
[0048] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the antenna is a leaky line antenna. A leaky line
antenna may be an antenna that may be responsible for transmission
and for transmitting and receiving from and to a device of a
passenger, e.g. a mobile telephone, a laptop or a PDA. Thereby, it
may also be possible to use several antennae. One antenna may be
used for receiving and the other may be used for emitting the radio
(RF) or the radio signal.
[0049] By the use of an electronically controllable antenna having
a particular characteristic on the local base station, individual
radio cells may be set up within the room or the cabin of the
aircraft. Thus, particular areas, such as the first class or the
business class, may be provided with a greater number of mobile
radio channels than, for example, the economy class. The room may
thus be subdivided into sub-rooms or sub-spaces, respectively.
[0050] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the control device further comprises a coordination
device. The coordination device may be connected to the control
device and the coordination device may be adapted such that the
coordination device may control the control device.
[0051] Thereby, the coordination device may act independently of
the control device, wherein the control device may be specialised
for generating interference signals, while the coordination device
may connect several subsystems with each other and may ensure an
exchange of data between them.
[0052] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the coordination device furthermore may be connected to
the local transmitting-receiving device. By this connection, which
may for example be a voice-over-IP (VOIP) connection, an exchange
of voice information between the transmitting-receiving device and
the coordination device may take place.
[0053] Apart from controlling the control device, the coordination
device may also allow forwarding of voice information from the base
station.
[0054] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the coordination device comprises a satellite connection
device or a satellite modem. The satellite connection device may,
however, also be integrated in the transmitting device. By the
satellite connection device a connection to a satellite
transmission system may be established. With the satellite
connection device, adaptation to the satellite channel may take
place.
[0055] Thereby, the satellite connection device may be adapted such
that a signal of the local transmitting-receiving device or of the
on-board base station may be transmitted via a satellite
connection. Thereto the coordination device may establish an
interface to a satellite transmission system or a satellite
connection or to a satellite channel. The voice information or data
information, respectively that is destined for passengers on board
or that is generated by passengers on board, respectively, may thus
be transmitted bundled, via a satellite connection, to a ground
station and may be received by the earth station. Instead of
connecting each mobile terminal that may would like to communicate
on board the aircraft with a base station on the ground, this
connection may be established via a fixedly set up link of the
aircraft, via a satellite, to a specific ground station. The
deployment of the satellite link may be an approved and EMI-safe
device so that the deployment of which device for the connection
may not have any influence or impact on the aircraft instruments.
In other words, when using the satellite connection, this may be
handled by a proven and EMI-safe device so that its use for the
connection may not have any influence on any aircraft
instruments.
[0056] Consequently the on-board power used for the communication
with the on-board base station may happen at an essentially
constant power level or at a weak power level, while the
communication with the ground may also take place at a constant
power level. Interference to the aircraft instruments may be
avoided. The satellite connection device may, for example, be a
satellite modem or a cabin satellite data unit (CSDU) by which a
connection to the satellite connection may be established. By this
satellite connection voice data of the base station, as well as
control information for the control device or for the coordination
device may be transmitted. Consequently the satellite connection
may also be used to operate the coordination device and the control
device from the ground.
[0057] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the coordination device comprises a flight attendant
panel or a control desk. Thereby, the flight attendant panel (FAP)
may be adapted such that the coordination device may be operated in
the same manner as the control device. This operation may be
independent of each other. By the flight attendant panel, it may be
possible for the crew to manage a purposeful influence of the
on-board devices. For example, by this flight attendant panel the
system, and in particular the coordination device and the control
device, may be put into a night mode that may make it possible to
set up that essentially no voice transmission may be possible by
the mobile terminals. Thus, nocturnal speech and a background noise
caused by nocturnal speech may be prevented.
[0058] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the coordination device comprises a server. In the
server or by the server it may be possible to provide various
services such as, for example, e-mail services or internet access.
By the server, it may also be possible to provide several
standards. This provision may have influence when other mobile
telephone standards, such as UMTS, CDMA or as well the GSM standard
may be deployed, which standards may differ from the common
standards such as GSM 1800 and GSM 1900, are demanded. In other
words, this provision may have influence when other mobile
telephone standards, such as UMTS, CDMA or as well the GSM standard
may be demanded, which standards may differ from the common
standards such as GSM 1800 and GSM 1900. The server may also have a
function of informing the passengers as to when they are allowed to
use their mobile telephones and when they are not allowed to do so.
This may otherwise have to be carried out manually by the cabin
crew. Thereby, the current flight phase may automatically be taken
into account.
[0059] Many embodiments of the invention may have been described
with reference to the control device. These embodiments may also
apply to the system, the method and the aircraft.
[0060] Below, further exemplary embodiments of the invention are
described with respect to the system for shielding a room. These
embodiments also apply to the control device, the method and the
aircraft.
[0061] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the system for shielding a room comprises a transmitting
device. The transmitting device may be connected to the local
transmitting-receiving device by the coordination device. Thereby,
the transmitting device may be adapted such that the signal of the
local transmitting-receiving device may be transmitted. By the
transmitting device thus voice data or connection data from the
aircraft, in particular from the room in an aircraft, may be
transmitted to the ground.
[0062] According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the
transmitting device comprises a satellite connection.
[0063] Thereby, for example, the satellite connection may be an
Inmarsat satellite connection or a broadband global area network
(BGAN) connection comprising the satellite modem (CSDU), the
diplexer/low noise amplifier (DLNA) and an antenna, in particular
an external antenna Thus, even during the aircraft is in motion,
voice data may be transported to the ground.
[0064] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the system for shielding a room comprises a
communication network, wherein the communication network is
connected to the transmitting device. In particular, the
communication network may be connected to a network operation
centre (NOC), which network operation centre may establish the
connection to the satellite connection. Thereby, the communication
network may be adapted such that the communication network may
transmit the signal which signal the communication network may
receive from the transmitting device. Thereby, the communication
network may establish a separation between a voice service, a
signalling service and a data service. By the signalling, an
information exchange, such as, for example, concerning the
establishment of a connection, maybe set up via the communication
network.
[0065] According to yet another exemplary embodiment, an aircraft
comprising a control device, the control device having the
above-mentioned features is stated. An aircraft may comprise a
fuselage that may form a room or a space, respectively in which
room signals that may enter from the outside may be shielded. Thus,
the interior of the fuselage, and in particular the interior of a
passenger cabin located in the interior of a fuselage, may be
shielded from signals that enter from outside.
[0066] An aspect of the invention may consist of preventing a
direct connection between mobile radio devices that are located on
board an aircraft with base stations that are located on the ground
and whose signals may enter the aircraft. Thereto, the radiation
from terrestrial radio base stations which radiation may enter the
aircraft from the outside, may be classified for the control device
and the protocol used. In other words, the radiation from
terrestrial radio base stations, which radiation may enter the
aircraft from the outside may be investigated and classified for
the control device according to the protocol used for the
radiation. With this information an interference signal may be
tailored such that the signals, which while being weak are
nevertheless present, from the base station may disappear in a
noise floor. A base station that may be located on board and that
may transmit at a higher power than the power of the noise floor,
may bind to itself almost all the mobile devices located on board,
and may feed the traffic generated by these mobile radio devices in
a bundled manner, via a reliable and interference-free satellite
connection, into a terrestrial communication network. Thus, random
and uncontrolled logging into possibly inwardly radiating
terrestrial mobile radio networks and taking in of states in which
states the mobile radio device may transmit at an excessive power
or at an excessive level of power, respectively may be
prevented.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0067] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are
described with reference to the figures.
[0068] FIG. 1 shows a control device for shielding a room according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0069] FIG. 2 shows the basic structure of a mobile radio
network.
[0070] FIG. 3 shows an overview of frequency bands, used worldwide,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0071] FIG. 4 shows an on-board mobile radio system according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0072] FIG. 5 shows a method for shielding a room according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0073] FIG. 1 shows a control device 100 that is arranged in a room
102 such that by a transmission signal receiving device or antenna
103 the control device can pick up or receive a transmission signal
from a terrestrial source, which signal may be present outside or
inside the room 102. The signals received by the antenna 103 reach
the receiving device 104, which is arranged in the interior of the
control device 100. In the receiving device 104 a remote
technological reconditioning of the received transmission signal is
effected and if necessary an amplification of the received
transmission signal is effected. The reconditioned signal is
forwarded by the receiving device 104 to the interference device
105, which is connected to the receiving device 104.
[0074] In the interference device 105, determination or
identification of the present mobile radio signal takes place. For
example, with the help of a database, querying of the required
interference signal can take place. In the interference device 105
an interference signal is determined which interference signal
corresponds to the conditions currently present. This interference
signal is forwarded to the transmitting device 106 for the
interference signal, which transmitting device by the antenna 107
transmits the interference signals into the interior of the room
102. By an antenna characteristic, in particular by a directional
antenna or by a leaky line antenna, the interior room of the room
or of the cabin 102 can be illuminated such that the interior room
of the room 102 is free of any external transmission signals. In
other words this means that the transmission signal is interfered
within the room such that only a noise signal is present, from
which noise signal the terminals can no longer derive any useful
signal, a wanted signal or a payload signal.
[0075] FIG. 2 shows the basic structure of a mobile radio network.
The mobile radio network operates according to the GSM standard. By
a GSM system, apart from the normal voice communication, an SMS
service with, for example, a text message comprising up to 160
standard letters, an MMS service comprising text, images and sound
information, or data communication that can be achieved by GPRS can
be used. In order to provide these services in a GSM
infrastructure, a mobile station (MS), a terminal equipment (TE),
or a user equipment (UE) is provided, which equipment is a device
prepared for GSM, for example a mobile telephone, a PDA, or a
laptop computer. The MS 201 communicates via the air interface (Um)
202 with the base transceiver station (BTS) 203. From the BTS 203
the communication information is transmitted via the Abis interface
204 to the base station controller (BSC) 205. The BSC 205 controls
one or several BTS 203.
[0076] A voice signal or an other connection-controlled information
or circuit switched data, respectively, for example an SMS, is
transmitted via the A-interface 207 to the mobile switching centre
(MSC) 206 in that the user is identified by the home location
register (HLR). The HLR is used for users that reside in this
network, i.e. the HLR is used for users who are at home in this
network. A roaming user originating from another network can also
be identified in a visitor location register (VLR). Calls are
switched either internally or to another mobile network or fixed
network.
[0077] Packet-oriented data or packet switched data, for example
GPRS connections or data parts of an MMS are transmitted via the Gb
interface 208 to the network node which provides GPRS or which
serves GPRS. This network node routes the data streams either into
the intranet, to a walled garden, or to the public internet. Public
destinations outside the system of the provider are provided by
connections via so-called gateway GPRS support nodes (GGSN) or they
are provided relating connections via so-called gateway GPRS
support nodes (GGSN).
[0078] To provide an on-board mobile telephone service on board an
aircraft, the GSM network infrastructure by/with a long-distance
traffic communication link is connected to the ground station.
[0079] FIG. 3 shows an overview of worldwide-used frequency bands
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
There are country-specific regulations relating to regulations and
requirements concerning health and the certification of mobile
radio devices. Since the present invention is to be installed on
board an aircraft, additional considerations nay have to be made or
may have to be taken into account in relation to the fulfillment of
requirements for regulation, the health of the on board crew of a
flight and passengers, as well as certification.
[0080] The regulatory requirements or requirements for regulation
of all the countries over which the aircraft possibly flies, or in
which the OMTS is to be operated, are to be taken into account.
Thus, the control device according to the invention can be
installed in order to ensure that no on-board mobile telephone or
mobile telephone on board, independent of the standard or the
frequency used, has access to any terrestrial mobile radio
network.
[0081] The OMTS can avoid that a mobile telephone emits a radio
signal having a high power, wherein the high power would, for
example, be necessary in order to reach a distant terrestrial
network. Furthermore, the control device 100 allows that the BTS
203, which is located on board, not hase to transmit at a high
power level. The BTS 203 can thus be the preferred point at which
the MS 201 that are located on board register or log in. In
addition it can be ensured that no MS 201 is used during a critical
flight phase or in a region or at a time in which the use of a
mobile telephone on board an aircraft is prohibited.
[0082] Moreover, in a particular country the use of a particular
frequency may be prohibited. For example, GSM 1800 has not been
released for use in the USA, and GSM 1900 has not been released for
use in Europe. The prevention of high-powered radio signals is
believed to be obligatory to comply with health requirements. In
view of certification purposes, the emitted radio signals must not
have a detrimental influence on the aircraft systems. Detrimental
influence on the aircraft systems can also be prevented with the
control device according to the invention. Parallel to the
automatic deactivation of mobile telephones that are used on board,
a passenger can be referred to the fact that the use of mobile
terminals on board is temporarily prohibited by a display
interdicting telephoning (e.g. "No telephone").
[0083] The control device 100 controls at least the frequency bands
listed, in the table shown in FIG. 3. Thereby regions designated as
item 1, item 2, item 4, item 5, item 7, item 8, item 9 and item 10
are the main regions. It is believed that at the same time at least
six frequency bands have to be controlled. The frequency range CDMA
450, which comprises the frequencies 420 MHz to 430 MHz and 460 MHz
to 470 MHz is considered as two frequency bands.
[0084] FIG. 3 shows that today Europe uses the CDMA 450 (420 MHz)
frequency band, the CDMA 450 (460 MHz) frequency band, the GSM 900,
GSM 1800 and the UMTS 2000. Poland uses the CDMA 450 (420 MHz),
CDMA 450 (460 MHz), GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800 and UMTS 2000
frequency bands. Furthermore, the table in FIG. 3 shows that Russia
uses the CDMA 450 (420 MHz), CDMA 450 (460 MHz), GSM 850, GSM 900,
GSM 1800 and UMTS 2000 frequency band. The Middle East uses the
frequency bands GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800 and UMTS 2000, Africa
uses the frequency bands CDMA 450 (420), GSM 850, GSM 900 and GSM
1800.
[0085] USA and Canada use GSM 850, GSM 1800 and GSM 1900, while
Asia uses CDMA 450 (420 MHz), CDMA 450 (460 MHz), GSM 850, GSM 900,
GSM 1800.
[0086] The Asia-Pacific region, Australia and Japan use the
frequency bands CDMA 450 (420 MHz), CDMA 450 (460 MHz), GSM 850,
GSM 900, GSM 1800 and GSM 1900. It should be noted that in the
regions Asia, Pacific and Australia no country has presently more
than six frequency bands in use.
[0087] South America uses the frequency bands CDMA 450 (420 MHz),
CDMA 450 (460 MHz), GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800 and GSM 1900. Brazil
also uses the same frequency bands as South America. For each
country only one of the two CDMA 450 frequency bands is used. The
control device is able to control both frequency bands at the same
time.
[0088] The entire system can be adapted such that the design
assurance level (DAL) "C" is met. This level indicates that a
failure of the system does not result in endangering the flight.
Thus, it is, required by the functional hazard analysis (FHA) for a
single-aisle aircraft. This level is also met by Arinc's and
Telenor's aero mobile system.
[0089] This level can be applied to all units and no redundancy is
required. Even if the on-board control device is considered to be
relevant to safety, with the signs or displays that show that the
use of mobile devices is not permitted, the same status is achieved
as can be achieved with a general prohibition of on-board mobile
radio devices. Therefore it is believed that no redundancy is
necessary.
[0090] During setup of the system it can be ensured that the
quality of voice calls meet the requirements known from terrestrial
connections. In order to meet these requirements regarding
dimensioning of the on-board telephone system, for example the
number of users that are concurrently able to make a call, and
consequently the number of BTS 203 that are used on board, can be
influenced. The selected mobile radio network operator should be
responsible for making forecasts concerning dimensioning in
relation to specific requirements of various aircraft types. Thus,
for example, a BTS 203 has a capacity of 7 concurrent voice
calls.
[0091] However, for long-haul aircraft, for example 2 BTS 203 for
each GSM frequency can be regarded as necessary, which can provide
14 concurrent voice calls. Furthermore, it should be considered
that adaptive multi rate (AMR) voice compression can be used. Voice
compression may become a standard feature of mobile telephones
within the next few years, as a result of which the channel
capacity can be doubled when compared to the GSM standards. I.e.
the maximum capacity of 28 concurrent voice connections can be
achieved. Apart from mobile radiotelephony, further wireless
technologies or radio technologies may be demanded by customers.
These are mostly demanded based on the wireless LAN (WLAN) protocol
that provides wireless radio-based access to a LAN.
[0092] In order to be able to provide both mobile telephony and
wireless LAN, a combining system is used. Thereby, the use of a
shared antenna system in the cabin can also be provided. This
combining device is comprised in OBCE 100 and can provide the
required and demanded mobile telephone standards. Furthermore, in
the on-board backbone region, a flexible server system can support
this provision of the plurality of standards. This is required if
other mobile telephone standards as UMTS or CDMA and likewise GSM
are demanded apart from GSM 1800 and GSM 1900.
[0093] FIG. 4 shows an on-board mobile radio system according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The mobile radio
system 400 of FIG. 4 may be, for example, a GSM on-board system.
This GSM on-board system can provide several mobile telephone
services for GSM 1800 and 1900 on board. FIG. 4 shows an overview
of the various subsystems 403, 404, 412, 414 and 415. With
reference to an end-to-end functionality, the overall system 400
can be divided into the airborne segment 401 and the ground segment
402, which segments in turn comprise so-called sub-domains.
[0094] The on-board mobile telephone system architecture (OMTS)
provides or supplies a connection between the airborne segment 401
and the ground segment 402 in the form of a satellite link 413 for
the Abis interface 204 in order to connect one or several BTS 203,
406 that are located on board an aircraft, to the BSC 205 (not
shown in FIG. 4), which is located on the ground. In contrast to
all the other interfaces of the GSM infrastructure the Abis
interface 204 is not completely standardised. Thus, it is believed
to be advantageous to source the BTS 203 and the BSC 204 from the
same manufacturer.
[0095] In the airborne segment 401 there are three subsystems,
namely the cabin wireless- or room-wireless-subsystem 403, the head
end subsystem 404 or the coordination device 404 with a centralised
built-in test equipment (BITE), with a server 405 and with a
communication management device. The third subsystem or the third
sub-domain is the satellite transmission line 412, or the
transmitting device 412, and in particular the satellite connection
413. Between the subsystems there are unequivocally specified
interfaces that allow independent changes and combinations of
various systems.
[0096] The cabin wireless domain 403 provides passengers with a
connection via various access points. The BTS 406, 203, which can
be designed or dimensioned to be redundant, provides access for the
mobile telephones 201 of the passengers to the GSM network. A GSM
1800 and a GSM 1900 BTS can be implemented in order to provide
services in Europe or worldwide, respectively and in the US-GSM
standard.
[0097] The control device (OBCE) 407 controls all the telephones
201 in the cabin 102 or in the room 102, respectively. The control
device 407 together with the local BTS 406, 203 can control or
regulate, respectively the radio frequency emission of all mobile
telephones 201 and can prevent the mobile telephones 201 from
attempting to connect the radio network outside the cabin or
outside the aircraft (A/C) in the same manner as they prevent the
mobile telephones 201 from connecting to the local BTS 406 during
critical flight phases.
[0098] As an option, in addition to the mobile radio connection, a
WLAN connection via a WLAN access device may be provided in the
cabin wireless 403 or wireless cabin 403, via which WLAN connection
the laptops 201 or the PDAs 201 of the passengers may be connected
to the network.
[0099] The leaky line antennae 408 are antennae for transmitting
and for sending and for receiving: from and to devices, for example
mobile telephones 201, laptops 201 and PDAs 201 of passengers. An
antenna may be used as a receiving antenna while the other may be
used, as a transmitting antenna for the radio signal or as a
sending antenna for the radio signal, respectively. Shared use of
the antennae 408 for WLAN access and access to the mobile radio
network may be possible.
[0100] The head-end domain 404 or coordination device 404 comprises
a server capacity 405 for GSM services, which server capacity also
hap GSM software on board. For example, the software function can
be a base station control functionality. Furthermore, the head-end
domain 404 connects the mobile telephone system 403 to the
satellite modem 409 (cabin satellite unit, CSDU) and the server
capacity 405 for e-mail and other internet services. The server 405
can comprise a function to inform passengers whether or not they
are allowed to use their mobile telephones. Otherwise this will
have to be handled manually by the cabin crew.
[0101] In the head-end domain 404 there is also the flight
attendant panel (FAP) 410. The FAP 410 is designed as a PC card.
The FAP is the interface for the crew. Therewith, the status and
possible errors of the system can be monitored. By the FAP the
cabin crew can manually switch the system on and off and can also
alter the level of GSM communication. This means that a presetting
can be made about the power that will be used.
[0102] For example, a night mode can be set, in which may only data
communication be possible. Thus, calm may be established in the
aircraft. Furthermore, discrete interfaces such as a push button
(PB) or as a switch are implemented, neither are shown in FIG. 4.
This may allow, for example, to implement an interface to the
cockpit 411. Via this interface the wireless function can be
deactivated, or a system reset can be carried out.
[0103] A centralised cabin operation and maintenance system (OMS)
423 for maintenance provides a built-in test equipment (BITE) and
the monitoring of all connected cabin equipments including
satellite transport and the cabin wireless segment. This OMS
functionality may allow to have simple malfunctions remedied by the
cabin crew. Furthermore, the control of the necessary functions
from a central point is possible. However, via a remote connection
a remote maintenance can be carried out from a ground station with
an extended functionality.
[0104] The cabin WLAN control and the cabin WLAN management, the
communication management for air-to-ground traffic and the
connection of the Ethernet cabin equipment 201 comprise a satellite
communication with the cabin and a cabin wireless that is provided
by the head-end domain 404 and in particular by the coordination
device 404.
[0105] The satellite transport domain 412 or transmitting device
412 interconnects the airborne segment 401 and the ground segment
402. The satellite connection 413 provides the transport and the
connection to service providers on the ground and to backbone
networks 414, 415. Therein, by a satellite modem 409, an adaptation
of the traffic generated by the server 405 to the satellite
connection 413 takes place.
[0106] For example the satellite system Inmarsat swift broadband
system can be used. The system, is adapted to operation with the
Inmarsat 4 satellite, which provides two swift broadband Inmarsat
channels. Nonetheless, implementation with any other satellite
system is also possible.
[0107] In order to provide end-to-end functionality some
compatibilities are to be taken into account because the Abis
interface 204 is a proprietary protocol. The ground segment 402
comprises a part of the satellite transport 412 or of the
transmitting device 412, the service provider segment 414 and the
public network 415. The network operation centre (NOC) 416 is the
part of the transmitting device 412, that is comprised by the
ground segment 402, which NOC may allow the operation of the
satellite connection 413.
[0108] The ground satellite transport segment 416 is the
counterpart of the airborne satellite segment 409, which
establishes the connection to all service providers on the ground.
The service provider domain 414 houses the communication control
device, which cooperate with, the on-board functions in the
aircraft. Therefore, a ground server is provided. Carrying out of
the routing in the direction of the aircraft and carrying out of
the connection of the aircraft traffic with the traffic on the
ground of the backbone network of the public-network 414, 415 may
be a main features of the ground server.
[0109] Instead, the service provider domain 414 comprises the
accounting functions and billing functions, the mobility management
and the routing functions, thus, an aircraft operator or airline,
respectively can provide an own accounting system or billing
system. The public land mobile network (PLMN) 415 comprises the BSC
205, MSC 206 and the VLR/HLR. The public network 415 additionally
provides access to the remote terminals to which passengers may
desire to establish a connection. This can, for example, be a
public fixed network telephone or a public internet for the IP
access. The ground units 416, 414, 415 provide all the functions
and features of a classic mobile radio network, while the BTS 406
is set up in the aircraft or located in the aircraft, respectively,
in particular in the aircraft cabin 403, and is connected to the
main network 415 via a satellite link 413.
[0110] Within the cabin 403 by the antennae 408 interference can be
generated, which interference keeps the interior of the cabin 403
free of transmission signals from terrestrial base stations, which
transmission signals enter from the outside, in that the antenna
408 by superposition of an interference signal renders the useful
information or wanted information or payload information of the
entering signals unrecognisable. Thus, the MS 201 can directly
establish contact with the BTS 406 that is located in the interior
of the cabin 403. The interference is generated by the control
device 407.
[0111] Aircraft data 418 is also fed to the control device 407.
Thus, it is, for example, possible to take into account the flight
position or the square grid over which the aircraft currently is
flying. Via the connection 419 the control device 407 can control
the BTS 406.
[0112] Via the redundant connection 420 the BTS 406 is connected to
the server 405 (aircraft GSM server). Via the connection 420 an
exchange of the received voice signals takes place by the
voice-over-IP (VOIP) protocol. The server 405 can forward the
received voice data via the IP connection 421 by the satellite
modem 409 via the satellite connection 413.
[0113] The server 405 can also drive the signal device 422 which,
for example, displays that no mobile radio devices must be used.
The transmitting device 412 comprises the satellite connection 413.
The head-end segment 404 is also referred to as the coordination
device 404. In the communication network 415, partitioning into
voice services, signalling messages and data services takes place.
These can be distributed via separate virtual private networks.
[0114] Due to the modular design of the OMTS, the system can be
retrofitted to any type of cabin. Consequently it is also possible,
for example, to upgrade trains, buses, ships or trams with the
OMTS.
[0115] FIG. 5 shows a method for shielding a room. The method
starts in an initial state S0 and in S1 receives a transmission
signal from terrestrial transmitting stations. This transmission
signal is a radio signal. In step S2, from the transmission signal
an associated interference signal is generated or determined that
can render the received transmission signal invisible to terminals
when the interference signal is emitted. In step S3 this determined
interference signal is emitted into the interior of the cabin so
that in the interior of the cabin a noise floor is created from
which only the existing local transmitting-receiving device juts
out. After this the method assumes the final state of S4.
[0116] In addition, it should be noted that "comprising" does not
exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a
plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps
which have been described with reference to one of the above
exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other
features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above.
Reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as
limitations.
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