Improving Connectivity at Ships and Planes Through Land-based BTS and Point-to-Point Antennas

Abstract

Online connectivity speeds are increasing rapidly on land, but are still very slow on modern ships and planes. Ships and planes depend mostly on satellite communication, which is divided up between their many passengers. This study attempts to find and overcome bottlenecks to the connectivity in ships and planes. Land-based BTS can connect to ships and planes, which can connect to other ships and planes, creating an ad hoc network. Planes can act as repeaters, overcoming the curvature of the Earth. Point-to-point microwave communication (rather than cellular concept) can link ships with ground BTS and other ships, tens of km away. Tracking antennas on ground BTS and ships, can follow planes in the air. Antenna size and movement on planes must be kept minimal, as they increase drag and fuel costs. Real-time location information can be used to point tracking antennas. There can be either moving antennas, or a large number of narrow-range antennas switching with the movement of the ship or plane. In the far oceans, submarine cable connected, solar-powered BTS can be installed for connecting to nearby ships and planes. With multiple channels available between distant ships and planes, packets of information can choose the best available path for transmission (like the internet). Point-to-point communication may be difficult between ships, and the cellular concept can be used instead. Today's technical capabilities suggest we are on the verge of a breakthrough in better connectivity of ships and planes hundreds of km from the shore. New competing technologies will emerge, of which the best will survive. Policies and rules must be established, so as to encourage competition. It is hoped that this paper will help in the research and development of the new technologies for better connectivity.