Airborne Wireless Network (ABWN)

[vibes]

Hi Pilot Dave, I think ABWN needs the laser network to function in order to have some protection from competition. Their granted rf patent is about to expire. I think ABWN management is finding it much more difficult to align a narrow laser beam from a transmitter in motion to a moving target receiver and keep it aligned than they expected.

My understanding is that now a series of Cessna tests will be required to make POC laser communications successful. If and when that POC is successful, I expect they will begin test with airliners.

As far as I can tell, the filed laser patent has not yet even gained "pending" status. I know from experience that USPTO is slow.