초록 ▼

Exemplary embodiments may involve hierarchical balloon networks that include both optical and radio frequency links between balloons. An exemplary network system may include: (a) a plurality of super-node balloons, where each super-node balloon comprises a free-space optical communication system for

Exemplary embodiments may involve hierarchical balloon networks that include both optical and radio frequency links between balloons. An exemplary network system may include: (a) a plurality of super-node balloons, where each super-node balloon comprises a free-space optical communication system for data communications with one or more other super-node balloons and (b) a plurality of sub-node balloons, where each of the sub-node balloons comprises a radio-frequency communication system that is operable for data communications. Further, at least one super-node balloon may further include an RF communication system that is operable to transmit data to at least one sub-node balloon, where the RF communication system of the at least one sub-node balloon is further operable to receive the data transmitted by the at least one super-node balloon and to transmit the received data to at least one ground-based station.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system comprising: a plurality of first balloons configured as nodes of a first type in a balloon network, wherein each of the first balloons comprises a radio-frequency (RF) communication system that is operable for communications with at least one ground-based station via an RF link; anda plu

1. A system comprising: a plurality of first balloons configured as nodes of a first type in a balloon network, wherein each of the first balloons comprises a radio-frequency (RF) communication system that is operable for communications with at least one ground-based station via an RF link; anda plurality of second balloons configured as nodes of a second type in a balloon network, wherein each of the second balloons comprises a free-space optical communication system operable for data communications with one or more other second balloons via one ore more optical links, and wherein at least one of the second balloons comprises both (a) said free-space optical communication system for packet-data communication with one or more other second balloons, and (b) an RF communication system operable for data communications with at least one of the first balloons via at least one RF link. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein both the second balloons and the first balloons are high-altitude balloons. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least the second balloons are collectively operable as a mesh network. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the mesh network comprises optical links between second balloons. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second balloons and the first balloons are collectively operable as a mesh network, and wherein the mesh network comprises optical links between second balloons and RF links between second balloons and first balloons. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the free-space optical communication system of one or more of the second balloons comprises one or more ultra-bright light-emitting diodes that are operable to transmit a free-space optical signal. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the free-space optical communication system of one or more of the second balloons comprises a receiver that is operable to receive a free-space optical signal. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the free-space optical communication system of one or more of the second balloons comprises a laser system that is operable to transmit a free-space optical signal. 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one downlink balloon, wherein the at least one downlink balloon comprises a free-space optical communication system that is operable to: (a) communicate with one or more of the second balloons and (b) communicate with at least one ground-based station. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the second balloons and one or more of the first balloons each comprise an altitude-control system that is operable to adjust altitude. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the altitude-control system in each of the one or more second balloons and the one or more of the first balloons is operable to change the altitude of the respective balloon via adjustments to at least one of: (a) gas density of the respective balloon and (b) gas volume of the respective balloon. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein each of the one or more of the second balloons and the one or more of the first balloons is further operable to: use altitudinal wind data to determine a target altitude having wind that corresponds to a desired lateral movement of the respective balloon; andcause the altitude-control system to initiate altitudinal movement of the respective balloon towards the target altitude in an effort to cause the desired horizontal movement of the respective balloon. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the second balloons and the first balloons are collectively operable as a mesh network, and wherein each balloon is further operable to determine the desired horizontal movement of the respective balloon based on a desired topology of the mesh network. 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the second balloons and the first balloons are in substantially continuous motion, and wherein the second balloons and the first balloons use altitudinal adjustments to move so as to conform with station-keeping parameters. 15. The system of claim 1, the second balloons and the first balloons move based on one or more station-keeping parameters, wherein the station-keeping parameters are based on a desired network topology. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more station-keeping parameters comprise an acceptable distance range between any two of the second balloons and the first balloons. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more station-keeping parameters comprise one or more of: (a) an acceptable distance range between adjacent second balloons, (b) an acceptable distance range between adjacent first balloons, and (c) an acceptable distance range between a second balloon and an adjacent first balloon. 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more station-keeping parameters comprise an acceptable amount of deviation from a desired density of the second balloons and the first balloons. 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more station-keeping parameters comprise one or more of: (a) an acceptable amount of deviation from a desired density of second balloons and (b) an acceptable amount of deviation from a desired density of first balloons, and (c) an acceptable distance range between a second balloon and an adjacent first balloon. 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the station-keeping parameters comprise a first set of station-keeping parameters for the second balloons and a second set of station-keeping parameters for the first balloons. 21. The system of claim 15, wherein the balloon network provides coverage in a plurality of defined geographic areas, and wherein station-keeping parameters are separately determined for each defined geographic area. 22. The system of claim 1, wherein the second balloons collectively provide a backbone of the balloon network, and wherein the first balloons provide one or more access networks for the balloon network. 23. The system of claim 1, wherein station-keeping functionality of the second balloons and the first balloons is supported, at least in part, by a centralized control system, wherein the centralized control system comprises one or more ground-based systems. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the centralized control system comprises a central control system and one or more regional control systems. 25. The system of claim 1, wherein station-keeping functionality of each of the second balloons and the first balloons is carried out, at least in part, by the respective balloon. 26. A system comprising: a plurality of balloons that collectively operate as a hierarchical balloon network, wherein the plurality of balloons comprise at least a plurality of first balloons and a plurality of second balloons;wherein each of the first balloons is a first type of balloon that comprises a radio-frequency (RF) communication system that is operable for communications with at least one ground-based station; andwherein each of the second balloons is a second type of balloon that comprises a free-space optical communication system operable for packet-data communication with one or more other second balloons, and wherein at least one of the second balloons comprises both (a) said free-space optical communication system for packet-data communication with one or more other second balloons, and (b) an RF communication system operable to transmit data to at least one of the first balloons. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the plurality of balloons that collectively operate as the hierarchical balloon network further comprise one or more other types of balloons, in addition to the first and second balloons. 28. The system of claim 26, wherein the plurality of balloons that collectively operate as the hierarchical balloon network are high-altitude balloons. 29. The system of claim 26, wherein at least the second balloons are collectively operable as a mesh network. 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the mesh network comprises optical links between second balloons. 31. The system of claim 26, wherein the hierarchical balloon network is a hierarchical mesh network, and wherein the hierarchical mesh network comprises optical links between the second balloons and RF links between the second balloons and the first balloons. 32. The system of claim 26, wherein one or more of the first balloons and one or more of the second balloons each comprise an altitude-control system that is operable to adjust altitude. 33. The system of claim 32, wherein each of the one or more first balloons and the one or more second balloons that comprises an altitude-control system is further operable to: use altitudinal wind data to determine a target altitude having wind that corresponds to a desired lateral movement of the respective balloon; andcause the altitude-control system to initiate altitudinal movement of the respective balloon towards the target altitude in an effort to cause the desired horizontal movement of the respective balloon.