High Altitude Platforms: Projects

A significant part of our research into wireless networks contains a High Altitude Platform (HAP) component.

HAPs are vehicles situated in the stratosphere (from 17 to 22 km above the ground) used for the delivery of wireless communications. They combine many advantages of satellites and ground-based systems and provide a flexible solution to many communications challenges.

Such platforms have the potential capability to serve a large number of users, either in dense urban areas or over a wide geographical area. They can be brought in temporarily for disaster relief or temporary coverage of entertainment events. Alternatively, as part of clusters they can become a part of permanent feature in the communications infrastructure.

They can be thought of as providing an alternative infrastructure between terrestrial systems and satellites, and can offer:

  • Line-of-sight links over a wide area
  • Shorter link lengths than satellite systems
  • High capacities
  • Very rapid deployment
  • Accessible for maintenance
  • Easily reconfigurable to cover short-term fluctuations in usage

The Group has been involved in a number of projects and activities relating to HAPs including:

  • Cognitive Routing for Tactical Ad Hoc Networks
  • COST 297 - European COST Action on HAPs
  • The CAPANINA Project
  • USE HAAS - Specific Support Action on HAPs
  • The HeliNet Project
  • StratXX

The Communications Research Group has also launched a spin-off company called SkyLARC Technologies Ltd, which exploit broadband and other wireless technologies for HAPs.

For more details of current and recent projects on HAPs, please follow the links at the bottom of this page.

Useful links for futher details

CAPANINA: Communications from Aerial Platform Networks delivering 'Broadband for All'

Members: David Grace

CAPANINA is a multi-partner project that is developing wireless and optical broadband technologies that will be used on High Altitude Platforms (HAPs). HAPs are either airships or planes that will operate in a quasi-stationary configuration in the stratosphere some 17-22km above the ground. Our aim is to deliver low-cost broadband service up to 120Mbit/s. This will greatly benefit rural and other 'hard to reach' areas, due to the unique wide-area, high-capacity coverage provided by HAPs.

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Cognitive Radio based Gigabit Communication Links from High Altitude Platforms

Members: Zhiyu Peng, David Grace

The purpose of this project is to understand how wireless communications links delivering data rates in excess of 1Gbps can be delivered, taking into account the system level implications of the antenna and wireless technology, propagation, and station-keeping characteristics of the HAP.

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COST 297 – HAPCOS – High Altitude Platforms for Communications and Other Services

Members: Tim Tozer, David Grace et al

COST 297 (HAPCOS) is a project intended to increase knowledge and understanding of the use of High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) for delivery of communications and other services. HAPCOS is involved in researching and developing new methods, analyses, techniques and strategies for developers, service providers, system integrators and regulators.

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Handoff for High Altitude Platform based Broadband Networks

Members: Shufeng Li and David Grace

High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) have the advantage of being able to deliver broadband capacities using a number of cells over a wide service area, typically up to 75km wide. However, until recently HAP communication system development has been slowed owing to the fact that there are no long-endurance unmanned HAPs available. To overcome this problem a number of active projects are now proposing cost-effective solutions based on fleets of stratospheric short-endurance manned HAPs. This project will investigate intra/inter-HAP handoff strategies and fleet management, with the intent of delivering seamless connectivity to users on the ground.

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