University helps mobile phones fly high
Posted on 22 February 2000
Telecommunications experts at the University of York are working on multi-media systems that could be installed in High Altitude Platforms - otherwise known as HAPs - the umbrella term for airships, balloons or small aircraft. The platforms would fly higher than Concorde, but would be much closer to earth than satellites. They might be powered by solar panels built into their superstructure. The platforms would have a good view over wide areas, and offer better and cheaper communications than either the present cellular phones or satellite systems.
Work on this new method has been driven by the explosion in demand for broadband capacity for communications services such as mobile phones, Internet access, and email. HAPs can deliver all these to both stationary and mobile users: existing ways of providing Internet could become obsolete. Because they would operate at extremely high frequencies, HAPs would also have the capacity for large numbers of TV and video channels, and could replace current satellite or cable TV systems.
The platforms would be designed to respond to user demands. For example,they might direct their capacity over city centres during the working day, but move their antenna beams out to the suburbs in the evenings. HAPs could also prove very useful where there is a sudden need for communications, such as in the event of an earthquake or other major disaster.
Tim Tozer, leader of the Communications Research Group in the University of York's Electronics Department, said: "This opens up vast new horizons. It has colossal potential, and indeed may be the only way we are going to fulfil all the demands for wireless services. High Altitude Platforms will be able to provide enhanced communications in highly developed regions where there is large demand, as well as services in areas where there may be little or no existing infrastructure."
The work at the University of York is being funded through a joint European grant aimed at preparing European industry to meet this challenge, and valued in total at 4.8 million Euros. Of this, York will receive 758,800 Euros - about £475,000 - and will collaborate with 10 other European partners, across Italy, Spain, Switzerland,Slovenia, Hungary, and UK. York is now planning to launch a spin-off company to exploit the huge potential this work has to offer.