Originally posted by StraightAndNarrow:
Originally posted by Phillip:
[QB] I worked on the original cellular concept back in the late 1970's (invented at Bell Labs) and on several versions since then. I have a broad network systems engineering background both in TDM networks and IP networks. I've designed international TDM in-country networks as well as international VoIP networks. I started my career as an Aerospace Engineer working on the Space Shuttle and Skylab.
What does computer networking REALLY have to do with cell-phones working from planes? Although the cell-phones use data routing (which is entirely different from LANS and WANS--although they may be included on the ground). We need to work through the RF link issue first, because if we are dealing with transmission from an airplane we are talking about signal-to-noise ratios, space and intereference losses and hitting a multitude of ground stations at the same time. This issue is primary. Don't try to confuse people here who have no experience in design engineering.
By the way, that is fascinating that you designed part of the cell-phone system, what parts did you design?
You said that you provided your report or data (I don't remember exctly how you put it), but maybe I missed it. Can you provide it gain? We need signal strengths, fade-margins, S/N+N, theoretical radiation patterns from the back of a typical air-liner. If your data is at a different altitude than the high-jacked plane, then please provide the interpolated theoretical results. As all engineers, we work with metrics, unlike technicians (who do a GREAT job of what they do) we don't rely on making a few phone calls with the same phone and call it a test.
I only told you about me using my cell phone because it WORKED and you said it wouldn't. Therefore, I want you to admit that mine worked and your data must have holes in it, or that I must not be telling the truth---your call.
(I'm not making this a personal issue beyond our qualifications to intelligently discuss it and obviously, from your post, I admit you are---so let's get into the NUMBERS.
If you are going to prove your statement that cell-phones don't work over a certain altitude in aircraft, then you are going to have to provide me with DATA. Not an article based on what an unnamed airline-pilot thinks, an unnamed "spokesperson" -- who, no doubt, has a degree in public relations and not engineering--you and I both know engineers don't usually make good PR folks

and statements from unnamed engineers who say "it just doesn't work" and "He ran tests on it." Let's see those results. Give me the REASONS it won't work in your own words.
This can be a good debate, but now that we've established our qualifictions, lets get down to the data.
Anxiously waiting........