Antenna Implementations for High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) and Considerations for Future Designs

This paper examines antenna implementations for the different communication links in a HAPS network i.e. service, inter-HAPS and feeder links. In this context, antenna implementation covers form-factor, size, steering and platform mounting templates. Antenna implementations vary significantly from one HAPS platform to another including proprietary and regulatory induced variations. Achieving the levels of link stability and performance demanded by current digital trends involves a steep technology and cost curve. This work proposes standardisation of HAPS antenna implementation to harmonise how antennas are implemented from design to installation. Accelerating the adoption of HAPS will require innovation at all levels of the HAPS technology value chain and antenna implementation is high up this chain

Implementing Solar-Powered HAPS for Rural broadband Connectivity: Concepts, Challenges & Mitigation

This paper examines the implementation of solar-powered High Altitude Platform Stations(HAPS) for rural broadband connectivity. It outlines some technical considerations and concepts associated with implementing HAPS as a communications infrastructure. To realise the potentials of solar HAPS for rural broadband connectivity, some key technology, business and policy questions must be addressed. For instance, to meet service demands, the solar-HAPS platform must remain aloft for long periods without running out of power (endurance), which is a technology challenge. Also relevant are non-technology issues like fitness-for-purpose and business viability, which are often overshadowed by technology problems but yet consequential. An aggregation and analysis of these implementation concepts may be helpful for both technology and policy decisions in the bid to address rural connectivity gaps

Situation Awareness and Routing Challenges in Unmanned HAPS/UAV based Communications Networks

This paper examines Situation Awareness (SA) as a factor in addressing routing challenges in HAPS/UAV based networks especially in multi-HAPS/UAV implementations. Routing in UAV based networks is a critical element for successful transmission of data from source to destination node. However, in UAV based networks the concept of routing assumes a more challenging dimension mainly due to the mobility of the vehicles or platforms. This paper highlights how situation awareness can impact routing decisions and consequently improve network throughput. It is suggested that SA should be considered a factor in mitigating routing challenges in UAV based networks

Integrating Routing Schemes and Platform Autonomy Algorithms for UAV Ad-hoc & Infrastructure based networks

This paper highlights the considerations for implementing autonomous or self-organising unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for communications area coverage with particular emphasis on the impact of aerial vehicle autonomy algorithms on routing techniques for such networks. UAV networks can be deployed either as ad-hoc or infrastructure based solutions. The mobility of UAVs introduce periodic topology changes, impacting link availability and routing paths. This work examines the implications of autonomous coordination of multiple UAVs on routing techniques and network architecture stability. The paper proposes a solution where routing techniques and UAV autonomy algorithms are integrated for improved global network efficiency for both ad-hoc and infrastructure-based scenarios. Integrating UAV autonomy algorithms with routing schemes may be an efficient method to mitigate link/topology stability issues and improve inter-UAV communication and network throughput, a key requirement for UAV networks. The implementation of interUAV links using optical, microwave or mmWave transmission was examined as a critical element in the context of this work. The proposed integration may be crucial for communications coverage, where UAVs provide communications area coverage to community of mobile or fixed users in either ad-hoc or infrastructure based modes

Autonomously Coordinated Multi-HAPS Communications Network: Failure Mitigation in Volcanic Incidence Area Coverage.

This paper investigates the coordination of multiple autonomous High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) in a volcanic cloud emergency scenario for aerial communications coverage. Deploying unmanned(pilot-less) HAPS over areas impacted by volcanic ash clouds is proposed in this work. Volcanic ash clouds stretching over distances can be challenging and requires resilient wireless communications infrastructure. In this work a self-organising solar-powered HAPS network is presented and its resilience tested in the event of the failure of a participating HAPS in the swarm. The future of implementing swarm of unmanned HAPS for communications services requires autonomous capabilities as demonstrated in this paper. A swarm intelligence based algorithm developed for this work is applied to coordinate a swarm of HAPS for communications coverage. The paper highlights the demands of such self-organising infrastructure and how failure may impact communications coverage, especially in emergency scenarios where high availability and reliability of the supporting communications infrastructure is critical

Comparative Study for Coordinating Multiple Unmanned HAPS for Communications Area Coverage.

This work compares the application of Reinforcement Learning (RL) and Swarm Intelligence (SI) based methods for resolving the problem of coordinating multiple High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) for communications area coverage. Swarm coordination techniques are essential for developing autonomous capabilities for multiple HAPS/UAS control and management. This paper examines the performance of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities of RL and SI for autonomous swarm coordination. In this work, it was observed that the RL approach showed superior overall peak user coverage with unpredictable coverage dips; while the SI based approach demonstrated lower coverage peaks but better coverage stability and faster convergence rates