Accessibility statement

COST 297 – High Altitude Platforms for Communications and Other Services

HAPCOS

Cost Action 297 (HAPCOS) is a project intended to increase knowledge and understanding of the use of High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) for delivery of communications and other services. HAPCOS is involved in researching and developing new methods, analyses, techniques and strategies for developers, service providers, system integrators and regulators.

HAPCOS commenced formal operation in 2005, following some five years of growing interest and activities in HAPs, primarily for communications. It was apparent to the Chair (Tim Tozer) that in order for the HAP sector to become better established, there needed to be a dialogue between interested potential stakeholders, and such dialogue was generally not happening. In particular, although there was a good deal of interest in communications services and technology, with some successful EC-funded projects (e.g. HeliNet, CAPANINA), the people involved in this did not seem to talk with people who might be involved with building the platforms themselves. Similarly, although the potential for Remote Sensing was highly apparent, people working in that sector did not seem to integrate with those interested in other applications or with platform manufacturers.

Thus, the main objective of COST297 is: To increase knowledge and understanding of the use of High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) for delivery of communications and other services, by exploring, researching and developing new methods, analyses, techniques and strategies for developers, service providers, system integrators and regulators.

To support this objective are activities in three working groups, WG1 Radio communications (Chair: David Grace), WG2 Optical Communications (Chair: Marcus Knapek, DLR), WG3 Platforms and Other Applications: (Chair Patrick Hendrick, University of Brussels).

The Action now has some 20 signatory countries, which makes for extremely lively and interesting meetings, which are held twice yearly at different locations supported by local participating organisations.

Members

  • Tim Tozer
  • David Grace
    et al

Funding

  • European Commission: COST Action

Dates

  • October 2005 to
    September 2009

Research