Abstract
This paper examines the behaviour of system capacity in High Altitude Platform (HAP) communications systems as a function of antenna directivity and HAP positioning. Antenna models for the user and the HAP are discussed, and it is shown that a flat sidelobe antenna pattern is suitable for modelling multiple HAP constellations when HAPs are located outside the coverage area. Using a single HAP scenario it is shown how narrowing the HAP antenna beamwidth may give better downlink Carrier-to-Noise Ratio (CNR) over the most of the coverage area. The roles of the HAP antenna beamwidth, HAP antenna pointing and HAP spacing radius are investigated. An equation is derived to determine the location of the peak CNR combined with these three parameters. A more complex multiple HAP scenario where all HAP’s operate on the same channel and interfere with each other is also assessed in terms of the Carrier to Interference plus Noise Ratio (CINR) and spectral efficiency. It is shown that locating HAPs at a specific spacing radius that is outside the coverage area can improve performance. Using these techniques the combined bandwidth efficiency is shown to increase almost pro-rata when the number of HAPs is increased up to 16.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
D. Grace, N.E. Daly, T.C. Tozer, A.G. Burr, and D.A.J. Pearce, “Providing Multimedia Communications from High Altitude Platforms”, International Journal of Satellite Communications, Vol. 19, pp. 559–580, November, 2001.
T. Konefal, C. Spillard, and D. Grace, “Site diversity for High Altitude Platforms: A Method for the Prediction of Joint Site Attenuation Statistics”, IEE Proceedings of Ant and Prop, April, 2002.
C.L. Spillard, D. Grace, J. Thornton and T.C. Tozer, “Effect of Ground Station Antenna Beamwidth on Rain Scatter Interference in High-Altitude Platform links”, Electronics Letters, Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 1211–1213, 26th September, 2002.
T.C. Tozer and D. Grace, “High-Altitude Platforms for Wireless Communications”, IEE Electronics and Communications Engineering Journal, pp. 127–137, June, 2001.
R. Miura and M. Oodo, “Wireless Communications System Using Stratospheric Platforms”, Journal of the Communication Research Laboratory, Vol. 48, No. 4, pp. 33–48, 2001.
J.-M. Park, B.-J. Ku, Y.-S. Kim, and D.-S. Ahn, “Technology Development for Wireless Communications System Using Stratospheric Platform in Korea”, IEEE PIMRC 2002, September, 2002.
D. Grace, J. Thornton, T. Konefal, C. Spillard, and T.C. Tozer, “Broadband Communications from High Altitude Platforms – The HeliNet Solution”, Wireless Personal Mobile Conference, Aalborg, Denmark, Vol. 1, pp. 75–80, September, 2001.
ITU-R, “Preferred Characteristics of Systems in the Fixed Service Using High-Altitude Platform Stations operating in the Bands 47.2–47.5 GHz and 47.9–48.2 GHz”, Recommendation ITU-R F.1500, 2000.
ITU-R, “Final Acts (Provisional)”, ITU WRC-03, 4 July, 2003.
ITU-R, “Minimum Performance Characteristics and Operational Conditions for High Altitude Platform Stations providing IMT-2000 in the Bands 1885–1980 MHz, 2010–2025 MHz and 2110–2170 MHz in the Regions 1 and 3 and 1885–1980 MHz and 2110–2160 MHz in Region 2”, ITU-R M.1456, 2000.
E. Falletti, M. Mondin, F. Dovis, and D. Grace, “Integration of a HAP Within a Terrestrial UMTS Network: Interference Analysis and Cell Dimensioning”, International Journal of Wireless Personal Communications – Special Issue on Broadband Mobile Terrestrial-Satellite Integrated Systems, Vol. 24, No. 2, February, 2003.
B. El-Jabu and R. Steele, “Cellular communications using aerial platforms”, IEEE Transacftions on Vehicular Technology, Vol. 50, pp. 686–700, May, 2001.
M. Oodo, R. Miura, T. Hori, T. Morisaki, K. Kashiki, and M. Suzuki, “Sharing and Compatibility Study between Fixed Service Using High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPs) and Other Services in 31/28 GHz Bands”, Wireless Personal Communications, Vol. 23, pp. 3–14, 2002.
W.C.Y. Lee, “Spectrum Efficiency in Cellular”, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 69–75, May, 1989.
J. Thornton, D. Grace, M.H. Capstick, and T.C. Tozer, “Optimising an Array of Antennas for Cellular Coverage from a High Altitude Platform”, IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 484–492, May, 2003.
D. Grace, J. Thornton, G. Chen, G.P. White, and T.C. Tozer, “Improving the System Capacity of Broadband Services Using Multiple High Altitude Platforms”, Accepted by IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, February, 2004.
D. Grace, J. Thornton, G.P. White, and T.C. Tozer, “Improving Spectrum Utilisation for Broadband Services in the mm-Wave Bands Through the Use of Multiple High Altitude Platforms”, IEE Seminar – Getting the most out of the Radio Spectrum, 24–25 October, 2002.
D. Grace, J. Thornton, G.P. White, C.L. Spillard, and D.A.J. Pearce et al. “The European HeliNet Broadband Communications Application – An Update on Progress”, Japanese Stratospheric Platforms Systems Workshop (Invited Paper), February, 2003.
D. Grace, G. Chen, G.P. White, J. Thornton, and T.C. Tozer, “Improving the System Capacity of mm-Waveband Broadband Services Using Multiple High Altitude Platforms”, IEEE GLOBECOM 2003, San Francisco, USA, December, 2003.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Guanhua Chen is currently a Ph.D. student in the Department of Electronics, the University of York, and received his BSc from Department of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, China in 1997. He had been a software engineer in Inventec Electronics (Nanjing) Co. Ltd, implementing DSP algorithm and network protocols in embedded systems for several years. He now participates in CAPANINA, a major European Framework 6 project developing broadband communications from high altitude platforms.
David Grace received his ME degree in Electronic Systems Engineering D.Phil degree from the University of York, UK in 1993 and 1999 respectively. His D.Phil thesis dealt with ‘Distributed Dynamic Channel Assignment for the Wireless Environment’. Since 1994 he has been a member of the Communications Research Group at York, where he is now a senior Research Fellow. He has worked on a variety of research contracts including several from the former Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. Current research interests include radio resource management for broadband communications, particularly from high-altitude platform and terrestrial ad hoc networks. He is now Principal Scientific Officer for CAPANINA a major European Framework 6 project that is developing broadband communications from high-altitude platforms. He has been an invited speaker at several conferences and industrial locations in the fields of HAP systems. He is also a nominated Researcher in the European NEWCOM Network of Excellence, and a Director of SkyLARC Technologies Ltd., a York based company, specialising in broadband communications from aerial platforms. He is a member of IEE and IEEE.
Tim C. Tozer received his degree in Engineering from the University of Cambridge UK in 1969. He is currently Leader of the Communications Research Group at the University of York, York, UK, and Senior Lecturer in Electronics. Previously, he worked on satellite systems at the UK Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). Research interests include wireless access techniques, multiuser communications, and high altitude platform (HAP) communications and services. Tim has managed numerous grants and research contracts from industry, government, and international organisations, and is a named author on over 180 technical publications. He is active in the IEE Professional Network on Satellite Systems and Applications, and is a regular invited presenter at international conferences, workshops and tutorials in the fields of VSAT and HAP communications. He is also Managing Director of SkyLARC Technologies Ltd, a company specialising in broadband services from aerial platforms.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chen, G., Grace, D. & Tozer, T.C. Performance of Multiple High Altitude Platforms using Directive HAP and User Antennas. Wireless Pers Commun 32, 275–299 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11277-005-0746-z
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11277-005-0746-z