Fixed wireless back haul for mobile communications using stratospheric platforms

Abstract

A method and system for communicating includes a plurality of cells having base units therein. Each of the base units communicates with a plurality of users within the cells. A communications platform is located in a stratospheric location for transmitting and receiving information with respect to the base units. A gateway station communicates with the communications platform and routes signals to terrestrial networks or other user back through the communications platform. A microcell within at least one of the cells is used to provide coverage in a small geographic area such as within a building. Each of the microcells is also in communication with the gateway station through the platform.

1 . A communications system comprising: 
 a plurality of cells having a base unit therein, each base unit directly communicating with a plurality of users;    a communications platform located in a stratospheric location for directly transmitting information signals to and directly receiving information signals from said base unit; and    a gateway station directly communicating with the communications platform for wireless coupling of the user terminal with a terrestrial-based network through the communications platform and the base unit.    
     
     
         2 . A communications system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said users are mobile users.  
     
     
         3 . A communications system as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a microcell within one of the plurality of cells.  
     
     
         4 . A communications system as recited in  claim 3  wherein the microcell is formed within a building.  
     
     
         5 - 6 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         7 . A communications system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the communications platform is substantially stationary in the stratospheric location.  
     
     
         8 . A communications system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said system comprises a plurality of communications platforms.  
     
     
         9 . A method of operating a communications system comprises the steps of: 
 sending a first signal from a user terminal directly to a base unit;    sending the first signal from the base unit directly to a stratosphere-based platform; and    transmitting the first signal directly from the stratosphere-based platform to a gateway station.    
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 9  further comprising the step of transmitting the first signal from the gateway station to a terrestrial-based network.  
     
     
         11 . A method as recited in  claim 9  further comprising the step of transmitting the first signal from the gateway station to the stratosphere-based platform.  
     
     
         12 . A method as recited in  claim 9  wherein the step of sending a first signal comprises the step of sending a first signal from the user terminal to a microcell base unit.  
     
     
         13 - 19 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         20 . A communications system comprising: 
 a plurality of cells;    a plurality of base units, each of said plurality of base units directly communicating with a plurality of user terminals;    a communications platform located in a stratospheric location for directly transmitting information signals to and directly receiving information signals from said plurality of base units; and    a gateway station directly communicating with the communications platform for coupling a first user terminal of said plurality of user terminals with a terrestrial-based network or a second user terminal of said plurality of user terminals through the communications platform and a respective base unit of said plurality of base units.    
     
     
         21 . A communications system as recited in  claim 20  wherein said plurality of base units is less than said plurality of cells.