Balloon network with free-space optical communication between super-node balloons and RF communication between super-node and sub-node balloons
US8718477B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 9, 2012 |
| Grant date | May 6, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 20, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W84/005
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.