Designing and implementing future aerial communication networks

• Published in: IEEE communications magazine 2016-05, Vol.54 (5), p.26-34
• Main Authors: Chandrasekharan, Sathyanarayanan, Wirth, Thomas, Allsopp, Sandy, Gomez, Karina, Al-Hourani, Akram, Kandeepan, Sithamparanathan, Rasheed, Tinku, Goratti, Leonardo, Reynaud, Laurent, Grace, David, Bucaille, Isabelle
• Format: Magazinearticle
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ad hoc networks; Aerials; Aircraft; Base stations; Communication system security; Drones; Emergencies; Networks; Onboard; Payloads; Platforms; Sky; Unmanned aerial vehicles; Wireless communication; Wireless communications
• ISSN: 0163-6804; 1558-1896
• DOI: 10.1109/MCOM.2016.7470932

Providing "connectivity from the sky" is the new innovative trend in wireless communications. High and low altitude platforms, drones, aircrafts, and airships are being considered as candidates for deploying wireless communications complementing the terrestrial communication infrastructure. In this article we report the detailed account of the design and implementation challenges of an aerial network consisting of LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) base stations. In particular, we review achievements and innovations harnessed by an aerial network composed of Helikite platforms. Helikites can be raised in the sky to bring Internet access during special events and in the aftermath of an emergency. The trial phase of the system mounting LTE-A technology onboard Helikites to serve users on the ground yielded very encouraging results, and showed that such a system could offer a longer lasting solution, provided that inefficiency in powering the radio frequency equipment in the Helikite can be overcome.