U.S. patent application number 16/876900 was filed with the patent office on 2020-09-03 for selection between explore mode and control mode for aerial vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to LOON LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is LOON LLC. Invention is credited to Keith Allen Bonawitz, Johan Mathe.
Application Number | 20200277038 16/876900 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004830385 |
Filed Date | 2020-09-03 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200277038 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bonawitz; Keith Allen ; et
al. |
September 3, 2020 |
Selection between Explore Mode and Control Mode for Aerial
Vehicle
Abstract
Example implementations may relate to selection between a first
mode and a second mode. The first mode may involve (i) directing an
aerial vehicle (e.g., in an aerial network including a plurality of
aerial vehicles) to navigate to each of a plurality of altitudes
and (ii) determining respective wind-related data at each
respective altitude. Whereas, the second mode may involve (i)
selecting at least one altitude based on the determined
wind-related data and (ii) directing the aerial vehicle to
reposition to the at least one selected altitude. As such, a
control system may determine flight data for the aerial vehicle.
Based on the flight data, the control system may make a selection
between the first mode and the second mode. And based on the
selection, the control system may then operate the aerial vehicle
according to the first mode or may operate the aerial vehicle
according to the second mode.
Inventors: |
Bonawitz; Keith Allen;
(Watchung, NJ) ; Mathe; Johan; (San Francisco,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LOON LLC |
Mountain View |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
LOON LLC
Mountain View
CA
|
Family ID: |
1000004830385 |
Appl. No.: |
16/876900 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15802869 |
Nov 3, 2017 |
10689083 |
|
|
16876900 |
|
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|
|
14962180 |
Dec 8, 2015 |
9836063 |
|
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15802869 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05D 1/104 20130101;
G08G 5/0069 20130101; B64B 1/60 20130101; G08G 5/0082 20130101;
G01W 1/08 20130101; G05D 1/105 20130101; G01W 1/00 20130101; B64B
1/40 20130101; G08G 5/0091 20130101; G08G 5/0026 20130101; G08G
5/0013 20130101; B64B 1/44 20130101; G08G 5/0039 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B64B 1/40 20060101
B64B001/40; G08G 5/00 20060101 G08G005/00; G05D 1/10 20060101
G05D001/10; G01W 1/08 20060101 G01W001/08; G01W 1/00 20060101
G01W001/00; B64B 1/60 20060101 B64B001/60; B64B 1/44 20060101
B64B001/44 |
Claims
1. A control system comprising: one or more processors; a
non-transitory computer readable medium; and program instructions
stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and
executable by the one or more processors to: determine flight data
for a particular aerial vehicle in an aerial network comprising a
plurality of aerial vehicles; based at least in part on the flight
data, make a selection between a first mode and a second mode,
wherein operation in the first mode comprises the one or more
processors (i) directing the particular aerial vehicle to navigate
to each of a plurality of altitudes and (ii) determining respective
wind-related data at each respective altitude of the plurality of
altitudes, and wherein operation in the second mode comprises the
one or more processors (i) selecting at least one altitude based at
least in part on the respective wind-related data for the at least
one altitude and (ii) directing the particular aerial vehicle to
reposition to the at least one altitude; and based on the
selection, operate the particular aerial vehicle according to the
first mode or operate the particular aerial vehicle according to
the second mode, wherein determining the flight data comprises
determining a level of uncertainty related to wind conditions at an
altitude of the plurality of altitudes, wherein making the
selection between the first mode and the second mode is based at
least in part on the level of uncertainty, and wherein determining
the level of uncertainty comprises: determining a first set of data
representative of recorded wind conditions at the altitude;
determining a second set of data representative of one or both of
the following conditions: (i) historical wind conditions at the
altitude and (ii) predicted future wind conditions at the altitude;
comparing the first set of data to the second set of data; and
determining the level of uncertainty based on the comparison.
2. The control system of claim 1, wherein some or all of the
plurality of aerial vehicles comprise an airborne network.
3. An aerial vehicle comprising: one or more processors; a
non-transitory computer readable medium; and program instructions
stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and
executable by the one or more processors to: determine flight data
for the aerial vehicle; based at least in part on the flight data,
make a selection between a first mode and a second mode, wherein
operation in the first mode comprises the one or more processors
(i) directing the aerial vehicle to navigate to each of a plurality
of altitudes and (ii) determining respective wind-related data at
each respective altitude of the plurality of altitudes, and wherein
operation in the second mode comprises the one or more processors
(i) selecting at least one altitude based at least in part on the
respective wind-related data for the at least one altitude and (ii)
directing the aerial vehicle to reposition to the at least one
selected altitude; and based on the selection, operate the aerial
vehicle according to the first mode or operate the aerial vehicle
according to the second mode, wherein determining the flight data
comprises determining a level of uncertainty related to wind
conditions at an altitude of the plurality of altitudes, wherein
making the selection between the first mode and the second mode is
based at least in part on the level of uncertainty, and wherein
determining the level of uncertainty comprises: determining a first
set of data representative of recorded wind conditions at the
altitude; determining a second set of data representative of one or
both of the following conditions: (i) historical wind conditions at
the altitude and (ii) predicted future wind conditions at the
altitude; comparing the first set of data to the second set of
data; and determining the level of uncertainty based on the
comparison.
4. The aerial vehicle of claim 3, further comprising a
communication system configured to transmit and/or receive one or
both of a radio signal and an optical signal.
5. A control system comprising: one or more processors; a
non-transitory computer readable medium; and program instructions
stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and
executable by the one or more processors to: determine flight data
for a particular aerial vehicle in an aerial network comprising a
plurality of aerial vehicles; based at least in part on the flight
data, make a selection between a first mode and a second mode,
wherein operation in the first mode comprises the one or more
processors (i) directing the particular aerial vehicle to navigate
to each of a plurality of altitudes and (ii) determining respective
wind-related data at each respective altitude of the plurality of
altitudes, and wherein operation in the second mode comprises the
one or more processors (i) selecting at least one altitude based at
least in part on the respective wind-related data for the at least
one altitude and (ii) directing the particular aerial vehicle to
reposition to the at least one altitude; and based on the
selection, operate the particular aerial vehicle according to the
first mode or operate the particular aerial vehicle according to
the second mode, wherein determining the flight data comprises
determining a capability of the particular aerial vehicle to move
in a direction, and wherein making the selection between the first
mode and the second mode is based at least in part on the
capability of the particular aerial vehicle to move in the
direction.
6. The control system of claim 5, wherein some or all of the
plurality of aerial vehicles comprise an airborne network.
7. An aerial vehicle comprising: one or more processors; a
non-transitory computer readable medium; and program instructions
stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and
executable by the one or more processors to: determine flight data
for the aerial vehicle; based at least in part on the flight data,
make a selection between a first mode and a second mode, wherein
operation in the first mode comprises the one or more processors
(i) directing the aerial vehicle to navigate to each of a plurality
of altitudes and (ii) determining respective wind-related data at
each respective altitude of the plurality of altitudes, and wherein
operation in the second mode comprises the one or more processors
(i) selecting at least one altitude based at least in part on the
respective wind-related data for the at least one altitude and (ii)
directing the aerial vehicle to reposition to the at least one
selected altitude; and based on the selection, operate the aerial
vehicle according to the first mode or operate the aerial vehicle
according to the second mode, wherein determining the flight data
comprises determining a capability of the aerial vehicle to move in
a direction, and wherein making the selection between the first
mode and the second mode is based at least in part on the
capability of the aerial vehicle to move in the direction.
8. The aerial vehicle of claim 7, further comprising a
communication system configured to transmit and/or receive one or
both of a radio signal and an optical signal.
9. A control system comprising: one or more processors; a
non-transitory computer readable medium; and program instructions
stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and
executable by the one or more processors to: determine flight data
for a particular aerial vehicle in an aerial network comprising a
plurality of aerial vehicles; based at least in part on the flight
data, make a selection between a first mode and a second mode,
wherein operation in the first mode comprises the one or more
processors (i) directing the particular aerial vehicle to navigate
to each of a plurality of altitudes and (ii) determining respective
wind-related data at each respective altitude of the plurality of
altitudes, and wherein operation in the second mode comprises the
one or more processors (i) selecting at least one altitude based at
least in part on the respective wind-related data for the at least
one altitude and (ii) directing the particular aerial vehicle to
reposition to the at least one altitude; and based on the
selection, operate the particular aerial vehicle according to the
first mode or operate the particular aerial vehicle according to
the second mode, wherein determining the flight data comprises
determining a capability of the particular aerial vehicle to move
at a velocity, and wherein making the selection between the first
mode and the second mode is based at least in part on the
capability of the particular aerial vehicle to move at the
velocity.
10. The control system of claim 9, wherein some or all of the
plurality of aerial vehicles comprise an airborne network.
11. An aerial vehicle comprising: one or more processors; a
non-transitory computer readable medium; and program instructions
stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and
executable by the one or more processors to: determine flight data
for the aerial vehicle; based at least in part on the flight data,
make a selection between a first mode and a second mode, wherein
operation in the first mode comprises the one or more processors
(i) directing the aerial vehicle to navigate to each of a plurality
of altitudes and (ii) determining respective wind-related data at
each respective altitude of the plurality of altitudes, and wherein
operation in the second mode comprises the one or more processors
(i) selecting at least one altitude based at least in part on the
respective wind-related data for the at least one altitude and (ii)
directing the aerial vehicle to reposition to the at least one
selected altitude; and based on the selection, operate the aerial
vehicle according to the first mode or operate the aerial vehicle
according to the second mode, wherein determining the flight data
comprises determining a capability of the aerial vehicle to move at
a velocity, and wherein making the selection between the first mode
and the second mode is based at least in part on the capability of
the aerial vehicle to move at the velocity.
12. The aerial vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a
communication system configured to transmit and/or receive one or
both of a radio signal and an optical signal.
13. A control system comprising: one or more processors; a
non-transitory computer readable medium; and program instructions
stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and
executable by the one or more processors to: determine flight data
for a particular aerial vehicle in an aerial network comprising a
plurality of aerial vehicles; based at least in part on the flight
data, make a selection between a first mode and a second mode,
wherein operation in the first mode comprises the one or more
processors (i) directing the particular aerial vehicle to navigate
to each of a plurality of altitudes and (ii) determining respective
wind-related data at each respective altitude of the plurality of
altitudes, and wherein operation in the second mode comprises the
one or more processors (i) selecting at least one altitude based at
least in part on the respective wind-related data for the at least
one altitude and (ii) directing the particular aerial vehicle to
reposition to the at least one altitude; and based on the
selection, operate the particular aerial vehicle according to the
first mode or operate the particular aerial vehicle according to
the second mode, wherein determining the flight data comprises
determining a level of energy stored in an energy storage device of
the particular aerial vehicle, wherein making the selection
comprises: determining whether the level of energy is below, at or
above a threshold level of energy; if the level of energy is below
the threshold level of energy, selecting the second mode; and if
the level of energy is at or above the threshold level of energy,
selecting the first mode.
14. The control system of claim 13, wherein some or all of the
plurality of aerial vehicles comprise an airborne network.
15. An aerial vehicle comprising: one or more processors; a
non-transitory computer readable medium; and program instructions
stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and
executable by the one or more processors to: determine flight data
for the aerial vehicle; based at least in part on the flight data,
make a selection between a first mode and a second mode, wherein
operation in the first mode comprises the one or more processors
(i) directing the aerial vehicle to navigate to each of a plurality
of altitudes and (ii) determining respective wind-related data at
each respective altitude of the plurality of altitudes, and wherein
operation in the second mode comprises the one or more processors
(i) selecting at least one altitude based at least in part on the
respective wind-related data for the at least one altitude and (ii)
directing the aerial vehicle to reposition to the at least one
selected altitude; and based on the selection, operate the aerial
vehicle according to the first mode or operate the aerial vehicle
according to the second mode, wherein determining the flight data
comprises determining a level of energy stored in an energy storage
device of the aerial vehicle, wherein making the selection
comprises: determining whether the level of energy is below, at or
above a threshold level of energy; if the level of energy is below
the threshold level of energy, selecting the second mode; and if
the level of energy is at or above the threshold level of energy,
selecting the first mode.
16. The aerial vehicle of claim 15, further comprising a
communication system configured to transmit and/or receive one or
both of a radio signal and an optical signal.
17. A control system comprising: one or more processors; a
non-transitory computer readable medium; and program instructions
stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and
executable by the one or more processors to: determine flight data
for a particular aerial vehicle in an aerial network comprising a
plurality of aerial vehicles; based at least in part on the flight
data, make a selection between a first mode and a second mode,
wherein operation in the first mode comprises the one or more
processors (i) directing the particular aerial vehicle to navigate
to each of a plurality of altitudes and (ii) determining respective
wind-related data at each respective altitude of the plurality of
altitudes, and wherein operation in the second mode comprises the
one or more processors (i) selecting at least one altitude based at
least in part on the respective wind-related data for the at least
one altitude and (ii) directing the particular aerial vehicle to
reposition to the at least one altitude; and based on the
selection, operate the particular aerial vehicle according to the
first mode or operate the particular aerial vehicle according to
the second mode, wherein determining the flight data comprises
determining service currently being provided by the particular
aerial vehicle in a current coverage area of the particular aerial
vehicle, and wherein making the selection is based at least in part
on the service currently being provided by the particular aerial
vehicle in the current coverage area of the particular aerial
vehicle.
18. The control system of claim 17, wherein some or all of the
plurality of aerial vehicles comprise an airborne network.
19. An aerial vehicle comprising: one or more processors; a
non-transitory computer readable medium; and program instructions
stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and
executable by the one or more processors to: determine flight data
for the aerial vehicle; based at least in part on the flight data,
make a selection between a first mode and a second mode, wherein
operation in the first mode comprises the one or more processors
(i) directing the aerial vehicle to navigate to each of a plurality
of altitudes and (ii) determining respective wind-related data at
each respective altitude of the plurality of altitudes, and wherein
operation in the second mode comprises the one or more processors
(i) selecting at least one altitude based at least in part on the
respective wind-related data for the at least one altitude and (ii)
directing the aerial vehicle to reposition to the at least one
selected altitude; and based on the selection, operate the aerial
vehicle according to the first mode or operate the aerial vehicle
according to the second mode, wherein determining the flight data
comprises determining service currently being provided by the
aerial vehicle in a current coverage area of the aerial vehicle,
and wherein making the selection is based at least in part on the
service currently being provided by the aerial vehicle in the
current coverage area of the aerial vehicle.
20. The aerial vehicle of claim 19, further comprising a
communication system configured to transmit and/or receive one or
both of a radio signal and an optical signal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/802,869, filed on Nov. 3, 2017 and entitled
"Selection between Explore Mode and Control Mode for Aerial
Vehicle," which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 14/962,180, filed on Dec. 8, 2015 and entitled "Selection
between Explore Mode and Control Mode for Aerial Vehicle," all of
which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described
in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application
and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this
section.
[0003] Computing devices such as personal computers, laptop
computers, tablet computers, cellular phones, and countless types
of Internet-capable devices are increasingly prevalent in numerous
aspects of modern life. As such, the demand for data connectivity
via the Internet, cellular data networks, and other such networks,
is growing. However, there are many areas of the world where data
connectivity is still unavailable, or if available, is unreliable
and/or costly. Accordingly, additional network infrastructure is
desirable.
SUMMARY
[0004] Example embodiments relate to a control system that is
arranged to operate an aerial vehicle according to an explore mode
or according to a control mode. During the explore mode, the aerial
vehicle may be directed to navigate through various altitudes so as
to obtain information at these altitude, such as information
related to wind conditions at these altitudes for instance. And
during the control mode, the aerial vehicle may be directed to
specific altitudes at which the aerial vehicle could carry out
various operations, such as providing services to various devices.
Given these modes, the control system may thus be arranged to
select between these modes and may do so based on various
considerations, such as based on uncertainty regarding wind
conditions, a fixed schedule, movement capabilities of the aerial
vehicle, resource availability of the aerial vehicle, and/or
services being provided by the aerial vehicle, among others.
[0005] In one aspect, a method is provided. The method involves
determining, by a control system, flight data for a particular
aerial vehicle in an aerial network including a plurality of aerial
vehicles. The method also involves, based at least in part on the
flight data, the control system making a selection between a first
mode and a second mode, where operation in the first mode includes
the control system (i) directing the particular aerial vehicle to
navigate to each of a plurality of altitudes and (ii) determining
respective wind-related data at each respective altitude of the
plurality of altitudes, and where operation in the second mode
includes the control system (i) selecting at least one altitude
based at least in part on the determined wind-related data and (ii)
directing the particular aerial vehicle to reposition to the at
least one selected altitude. The method further involves, based on
the selection, the control system operating the particular aerial
vehicle according to the first mode or operating the particular
aerial vehicle according to the second mode.
[0006] In another aspect, a control system is provided. The control
system includes one or more processors, a non-transitory computer
readable medium, and program instructions stored on the
non-transitory computer readable medium and executable by the one
or more processors to determine flight data for a particular aerial
vehicle in an aerial network including a plurality of aerial
vehicles. The program instructions are also executable to, based at
least in part on the flight data, make a selection between a first
mode and a second mode, where operation in the first mode includes
the one or more processors (i) directing the particular aerial
vehicle to navigate to each of a plurality of altitudes and (ii)
determining respective wind-related data at each respective
altitude of the plurality of altitudes, and where operation in the
second mode includes the one or more processors (i) selecting at
least one altitude based at least in part on the determined
wind-related data and (ii) directing the particular aerial vehicle
to reposition to the at least one selected altitude. The program
instructions are further executable to, based on the selection,
operate the particular aerial vehicle according to the first mode
or operate the particular aerial vehicle according to the second
mode.
[0007] In yet another aspect, an aerial vehicle is provided. The
aerial vehicle includes one or more processors, a non-transitory
computer readable medium, and program instructions stored on the
non-transitory computer readable medium and executable by the one
or more processors to determine flight data for the aerial vehicle.
The program instructions are also executable to, based at least in
part on the flight data, make a selection between a first mode and
a second mode, where operation in the first mode includes the one
or more processors (i) directing the aerial vehicle to navigate to
each of a plurality of altitudes and (ii) determining respective
wind-related data at each respective altitude of the plurality of
altitudes, and where operation in the second mode includes the one
or more processors (i) selecting at least one altitude based at
least in part on the determined wind-related data and (ii)
directing the aerial vehicle to reposition to the at least one
selected altitude. The program instructions are further executable
to, based on the selection, operate the aerial vehicle according to
the first mode or operate the aerial vehicle according to the
second mode.
[0008] In yet another aspect, a system is provided. The system
includes means for determining flight data for a particular aerial
vehicle in an aerial network including a plurality of aerial
vehicles. The system also includes means for, based at least in
part on the flight data, making a selection between a first mode
and a second mode, where operation in the first mode includes (i)
directing the particular aerial vehicle to navigate to each of a
plurality of altitudes and (ii) determining respective wind-related
data at each respective altitude of the plurality of altitudes, and
where operation in the second mode includes (i) selecting at least
one altitude based at least in part on the determined wind-related
data and (ii) directing the particular aerial vehicle to reposition
to the at least one selected altitude. The system further includes
means for, based on the selection, operating the particular aerial
vehicle according to the first mode or operating the particular
aerial vehicle according to the second mode.
[0009] These as well as other aspects, advantages, and
alternatives, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art by reading the following detailed description, with
reference where appropriate to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a balloon
network, according to an example embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a balloon-network
control system, according to an example embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a
high-altitude balloon, according to an example embodiment.
[0013] FIGS. 4A to 4D illustrate a control system operating a
balloon according to an explore mode, according to an example
embodiment.
[0014] FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate a control system operating a
balloon according to a control mode, according to an example
embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 6 is flowchart illustrating a method for selection
between first and second modes, according to an example
embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates an analysis for determining a level of
uncertainty, according to an example embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a fixed schedule, according to an example
embodiment.
[0018] FIGS. 9A to 9D illustrate selection based on movement
capabilities, according to an example embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 10A to 10B illustrate selection based on resource
availability, according to an example embodiment.
[0020] FIGS. 11A to 11B illustrate selection based on service being
provided, according to an example embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Exemplary methods and systems are described herein. It
should be understood that the word "exemplary" is used herein to
mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any
embodiment or feature described herein as "exemplary" is not
necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other
embodiments or features. The exemplary embodiments described herein
are not meant to be limiting. It will be readily understood that
certain aspects of the disclosed systems and methods can be
arranged and combined in a wide variety of different
configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.
[0022] Furthermore, the particular arrangements shown in the
Figures should not be viewed as limiting. It should be understood
that other embodiments may include more or less of each element
shown in a given Figure. Further, some of the illustrated elements
may be combined or omitted. Yet further, an exemplary embodiment
may include elements that are not illustrated in the Figures.
I. OVERVIEW
[0023] Example embodiments relate to airborne networks formed by
aerial vehicles; and, in particular, to balloon networks formed by
high-altitude balloons. Such an airborne network may function to
extend the reach of and/or fill coverage gaps in other data
networks such as the Internet, and/or may serve other purposes. The
aerial vehicles in the airborne network may travel horizontally
over the surface of the earth, such that a given aerial vehicle can
move into and out of the wireless-communication range of a ground
station. In order to travel horizontally in this manner, a given
aerial vehicle may engage in vertical movements within the
atmosphere, and more specifically, within the stratosphere.
[0024] Wind velocities and/or wind directions vary at different
altitudes within the stratosphere. Accordingly, one technique for
navigating an aerial vehicle within the stratosphere involves
causing the aerial vehicle to adjust its vertical position (i.e.,
altitude) in order to move in a desired horizontal direction. For
example, taking advantage of the altitudinally-varying wind
conditions in the stratosphere, the aerial vehicle may control its
altitude to find winds that carry it in a desired horizontal
direction (e.g., latitudinally and/or longitudinally) and perhaps
at a desired velocity. Using such altitude changes to cause
horizontal movement, the aerial vehicle may consume less power, on
average, than using a thruster or fan to achieve the same
horizontal movement. In some cases, however, the aerial vehicle may
not be able determine an altitude to fly at in order to achieve
certain desired horizontal movements.
[0025] Disclosed herein are methods and systems that can help an
aerial vehicle achieve desired horizontal movements. In particular,
a control system may operate the aerial vehicle according to an
explore mode or according to a control mode. In the explore mode,
the aerial vehicle may be directed to explore the stratosphere
(and/or other portions of the atmosphere) and to provide
information related to wind conditions at various altitudes within
the stratosphere. For instance, the control system may direct the
aerial vehicle to move to a particular altitude and to provide
information related to wind conditions at that particular altitude.
In this way, the control system may determine how the aerial
vehicle can horizontally move at that particular altitude.
[0026] Whereas, in the control mode, the aerial vehicle may be
directed to specific altitudes at which the aerial vehicle could
carry out various operations. While the aerial vehicle could also
provide information related to wind conditions at various altitudes
as the aerial vehicle is being operated according to the control
mode, the purpose of the control mode may be to direct the aerial
vehicle specific altitudes at which the aerial vehicle could carry
out specific desired operations other than just provide the
information related to wind conditions. For instance, the control
system may direct the aerial vehicle to altitudes at which the
aerial vehicle is to provide services to various devices. And in
another instance, the control system may direct the aerial vehicle
to altitudes at which the aerial vehicle can move to help achieve a
certain network topology of the airborne network of aerial
vehicles.
[0027] In a further aspect, an example embodiment may help to
intelligently select between operation of the aerial vehicle in the
explore mode and the control mode. Accordingly, disclosed herein
are various considerations that can be used to make such a
selection. Examples of selection criteria may include, but are not
limited to: uncertainty regarding wind conditions at certain
altitudes, a fixed operations schedule, movement capabilities of
the aerial vehicle, resource availability of the aerial vehicle,
and/or services being provided by the aerial vehicle. Once the
control system evaluates one or more of these considerations and
selects a mode, the control system may then operate the aerial
vehicle according to the selected mode.
II. ILLUSTRATIVE BALLOON NETWORKS
[0028] In some embodiments, a high-altitude-balloon network may be
homogenous. More specifically, in a homogenous
high-altitude-balloon network, each balloon is configured to
communicate with nearby balloons via free-space optical links
and/or other types of wireless links. Further, some or all of the
balloons in such a network, may also be configured communicate with
ground station(s) using RF communications links and/or other types
of wireless communication. For example, balloons may communicate
with ground stations over LTE links and/or millimeter wave (mmW)
communication links.
[0029] In other embodiments, a high-altitude-balloon network may be
heterogeneous, and thus may include two or more different types of
balloons. For example, some balloons may be configured as
super-nodes, while other balloons may be configured as sub-nodes.
(Note also that some balloons may be configured to function as both
a super-node and a sub-node.) In such a configuration, the
super-node balloons may be configured to communicate with nearby
super-node balloons via RF links and/or free-space optical links,
and to communicate with ground-based backhaul stations via optical
and/or mmWave links (and possibly via RF links as well). However,
the sub-node balloons may not be configured for optical or mmWave
communication with ground-based backhaul stations, and may only be
configured for RF air-to-ground communications (or might not be
configured for air-to-ground communications at all). Further, other
combinations of different types of balloons are possible in a
various network configurations.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a balloon
network 100, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown,
balloon network 100 includes balloons 102A to 102F, which are
configured to communicate with one another via free-space optical
links 104. Configured as such, balloons 102A to 102F may
collectively function as a mesh network for packet-data
communications. Further, balloons 102A to 102F may be configured
for RF communications with ground stations 106 via RF links
108.
[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, balloons 102A to 102F are
high-altitude balloons, which are deployed in the stratosphere. In
an exemplary embodiment, balloons 102A to 102F may generally be
configured to operate at altitudes between 17 km and 22 km
(although other altitudes are possible). This altitude range may be
advantageous for several reasons. In particular, this layer of the
stratosphere generally has mild wind and turbulence (e.g., winds
between 5 and 20 miles per hour (mph)). Further, while the winds
between 17 km and 22 km may vary with latitude and by season, the
variations can be modeled in a reasonably accurate manner.
Additionally, altitudes above 17 km are typically above the maximum
flight level designated for commercial air traffic. Therefore,
interference with commercial flights is not a concern when balloons
are deployed between 17 km and 22 km.
[0032] To transmit data to another balloon, a given balloon 102A to
102F may be configured to transmit an optical signal via a
communication link 104. In an exemplary embodiment, a given balloon
102A to 102F may use one or more RF transmitters, receivers, and/or
transceivers to communicate with other balloons. Alternatively,
some or all of balloons 102A to 102F may include high-power
light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or laser systems for communication
over communication links 104. Additional details of balloons
implementations are discussed in greater detail below, with
reference to FIG. 3.
[0033] In a further aspect, balloons 102A to 102F may utilize one
or more of various different RF air-interface protocols for
communication ground stations 106 via RF links 108. For instance,
some or all of balloons 102A to 102F may be configured to
communicate with ground stations 106 using protocols described in
IEEE 802.11 (including any of the IEEE 802.11 revisions), various
cellular protocols such as GSM, CDMA, UMTS, EV-DO, WiMAX, LTE,
and/or one or more propriety protocols developed for
balloon-to-ground RF communication, among other possibilities.
[0034] Further, in some embodiments, balloons may use millimeter
wave bands for RF communications with ground stations 106. For
instance, example configurations may utilize spectrum in the 71-76,
81-86 and/or 92-95 GHz bands for high-bandwidth point-to-point
communications between a balloon and a ground station (it is noted
that these frequencies do require a transmitting license from the
FCC). Links utilizing these bands may provide a bandwidth of 10
Gbit/sec. Further, in some configurations, a small 100 MHz range
that has been reserved for space-borne radios may also be used for
communications between a balloon and a ground station. Other
configurations for communications between a balloon and a ground
station are also possible.
[0035] Ground stations, such as ground stations 106 and/or 108, may
take various forms. Generally, a ground station may include
components such as transceivers, transmitters, and/or receivers for
communication via RF links and/or optical links with a balloon
network. Further, a ground station may use various air-interface
protocols in order to communicate with a balloon 102A to 102E over
an RF link 108. As such, a ground station 106 may be configured as
an access points via which various devices can connect to balloon
network 100. Ground stations 106 may have other configurations
and/or serve other purposes without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0036] In further aspect, in order to provide Internet and/or other
types of wireless data service in remote locations, balloon network
100 may function as a backhaul network. Configured as such, balloon
network 100 may extend the reach of and/or fill coverage gaps in
other data networks such as the Internet. Accordingly, some ground
stations 106 may function as gateways or switches, which allow for
communications from other data networks to be routed to and from
the balloon network 100.
[0037] Further, terrestrial access networks may be implemented to
provide terrestrial client devices with access to balloon network
100. For example, wireless and/or wired access points (not shown)
may be installed in various locations throughout a given geographic
area. The terrestrial access points in a given geographic area may
all be communicatively coupled to a ground station 106, which
operates as a switch or gateway for the access points in the
geographic area. When configured as a switch, a ground station 106
may establish a backhaul link to the balloon network 100, such that
communications from access points and/or other data networks can be
routed through the balloon network 100.
[0038] In a further aspect, a balloon network 100 may optionally be
operable for communications with a satellite network, which can
include any number of space-based satellites 120A and 120B. The
satellites can be of any suitable type. Examples of suitable types
of satellites include communications satellites, navigational
satellites, Earth observation satellites, weather satellites, or a
combination or a variation of such satellites. In FIG. 1, the
satellite network 520 is shown to include two satellites, namely
satellites 120A and 120B, for ease of explanation.
[0039] Generally, the satellites 120A and 120B may be configured
for relatively long-range communication with each other, with
high-altitude balloons 102A to 102F, and with ground stations. In
particular, the satellite 120A may be operable to communicate with
the satellite 120B by way of the communication link 122, and with
the balloon 102A by way of the communication link 124. Similarly,
the satellite 120B may be operable to communicate with the
satellite 120A by way of the communication link 122 and with the
balloon 102E by way of the communication link 126. Note that a
given balloon may move over time to a location where it no longer
has a line-of-sight to a satellite that the balloon was previously
able to communicate with. Thus, as balloons and satellites move
over the surface of the earth, a given balloon may tear down and
establish communication links with different satellites. In a
further aspect, satellites 120A and 120B may be operable
communicate with ground stations, such as the ground station 106 or
ground station 112, by way of communication links, although the
communication links are omitted from FIG. 1 to simplify the
illustration.
[0040] The satellites 120A and 120B can use any suitable
communication protocol and frequency range for communicating with
one another. For example, the satellites 120A and 120B can
communicate with one another in the radio frequency range. As
another example, the satellites 120A and 120B can communicate with
the use of lasers. These examples are illustrative only; the
satellites 120A and 120B can communicate in any way that is
currently known in the art or is yet to be known in the art.
[0041] In addition, the satellites 120A and 120B can use any
suitable communication protocol and frequency range to communicate
with high-altitude balloons (and other aerial vehicles), and/or
with ground stations. For example, the satellites 120A and 120B can
communicate with the balloons and ground stations in a suitable
microwave range. An example of a suitable microwave range is the
IEEE E-Band, which includes 70-90 GHz. Other suitable microwave
ranges may include the IEEE C-band, which corresponds to a
frequency range of 4-8 GHz, and/or the IEEE K.sub.u band, which
corresponds to a frequency range of 12-18 GHz. Other examples are
also possible.
[0042] In a further aspect, a flight-data publishing system (not
shown in FIG. 2) may gather flight (e.g., telemetry) data from the
balloons 102A to 102F in a balloon network, and make the flight
data available to other systems. For example, balloons 102A to 102F
may send flight data to a ground-based flight-data publishing
system via a satellite network. For example, a given balloon may
periodically send its current flight data to a satellite 120A,
which may then route the flight data to a ground-based flight-data
publishing system. Further, the flight data reported by a given
balloon may include location, trajectory, velocity, measured wind
conditions, air temperature, atmospheric pressure, and/or
operational status of various balloon systems, among other
possibilities.
[0043] A. Mesh-Network Functionality
[0044] As noted, balloons 102A to 102F may collectively function as
a mesh network. More specifically, since balloons 102A to 102F may
communicate with one another using free-space optical links, the
balloons may collectively function as a free-space optical mesh
network.
[0045] In a mesh-network configuration, each balloon 102A to 102F
may function as a node of the mesh network, which is operable to
receive data direct to it and to route data to other balloons. As
such, data may be routed from a source balloon to a destination
balloon by determining an appropriate sequence of optical links
between the source balloon and the destination balloon. These
optical links may be collectively referred to as a "lightpath" for
the connection between the source and destination balloons.
Further, each of the optical links may be referred to as a "hop" on
the lightpath.
[0046] Further, in order to operate as a mesh network, balloons
102A to 102F may employ various routing techniques and self-healing
algorithms. In some embodiments, a balloon network 100 may employ
adaptive or dynamic routing, where a lightpath between a source and
destination balloon is determined and set-up when the connection is
needed, and released at a later time. Further, when adaptive
routing is used, the lightpath may be determined dynamically
depending upon the current state, past state, and/or predicted
state of the balloon network.
[0047] In addition, the network topology may change as the balloons
102A to 102F move relative to one another and/or relative to the
ground. Accordingly, an exemplary balloon network 100 may apply a
mesh protocol to update the state of the network as the topology of
the network changes. For example, to address the mobility of the
balloons 102A to 102E, balloon network 100 may employ and/or adapt
various techniques that are employed in mobile ad hoc networks
(MANETs). Other examples are possible as well.
[0048] In some implementations, a balloon network 100 may be
configured as a transparent mesh network. More specifically, in a
transparent balloon network, the balloons may include components
for physical switching that is entirely optical, without any
electrical involved in physical routing of optical signals. Thus,
in a transparent configuration with optical switching, signals
travel through a multi-hop lightpath that is entirely optical.
[0049] In other implementations, the balloon network 100 may
implement a free-space optical mesh network that is opaque. In an
opaque configuration, some or all balloons 102A to 102E may
implement optical-electrical-optical (OEO) switching. For example,
some or all balloons may include optical cross-connects (OXCs) for
OEO conversion of optical signals. Other opaque configurations are
also possible.
[0050] In a further aspect, balloons in an exemplary balloon
network 100 may implement wavelength division multiplexing (WDM),
which may help to increase link capacity. When WDM is implemented
with transparent switching, physical lightpaths through the balloon
network may be subject to the "wavelength continuity constraint."
More specifically, because the switching in a transparent network
is entirely optical, it may be necessary to assign the same
wavelength for all optical links on a given lightpath.
[0051] An opaque configuration, on the other hand, may avoid the
wavelength continuity constraint. In particular, balloons in an
opaque balloon network may include the OEO switching systems
operable for wavelength conversion. As a result, balloons can
convert the wavelength of an optical signal at each hop along a
lightpath.
[0052] Further, various routing algorithms may be employed in an
opaque configuration. For example, to determine a primary lightpath
and/or one or more diverse backup lightpaths for a given
connection, exemplary balloons may apply or consider shortest-path
routing techniques such as Dijkstra's algorithm and k-shortest
path, and/or edge and node-diverse or disjoint routing such as
Suurballe's algorithm, among others. Additionally or alternatively,
techniques for improving QoS may be employed when determining a
lightpath. Other techniques are also possible.
[0053] B. Dynamic Topology of Balloon Network
[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, the topology of an exemplary
balloon network may be dynamic and adaptable. In particular,
example balloons 102A to 102F may move with winds in the
stratosphere. As such, movement in different directions may be
achieved by increasing or decreasing a balloon's altitude, such
that the balloon is at an altitude with a desired wind direction
and/or velocity. For example, one or more balloons could move to
new positions to increase or decrease the density of balloons in a
given area. In such a configuration, balloons may be in continuous
or nearly continuous motion, and the movement of balloons may be
controlled or influenced according to various constraints, such as
a desired network topology and/or desired coverage of the balloon
network.
[0055] For example, movements of balloons 102A to 102F may be
coordinated in order to maintain and/or move balloons into a
certain positions relative to one or more other balloons in the
network (and possibly in a certain position relative to the
ground). Additionally or alternatively, movements of balloons 102A
to 102F may be coordinated in order to meet certain coverage
requirements or goals in various geographic areas.
[0056] The desired topology of a balloon network may vary depending
upon the particular implementation. In some cases, balloons may be
controlled in an effort to provide a substantially uniform
topology. In such case, balloons 102A to 102F (or a control system
for the balloons) may implement functions to position the balloons
at substantially the same distance (or within a certain range of
distances) from adjacent balloons in the balloon network 100. Note
that because balloons may be in nearly continuous motion (e.g.,
being moved by winds in the stratosphere), balloons may maintain a
uniform topology while collectively moving over the earth. In such
embodiments, the movement of balloons may be such that balloon(s)
move into a particular geographic area as other balloon(s) move out
of the particular geographic area, in an effort to provide
continuous coverage from the balloon network in the particular
geographic area.
[0057] In other cases, a balloon network 100 may have a non-uniform
topology. For instance, exemplary embodiments may involve
topologies where balloons area distributed more or less densely in
certain areas, for various reasons. Note that in such embodiments,
there may be substantially uniform topologies of different
densities in different sub-areas within the larger coverage area of
the balloon network. As an example, to help meet the higher
bandwidth demands that are typical in urban areas, balloons may be
clustered more densely over urban areas. For similar reasons, the
distribution of balloons may be denser over land than over large
bodies of water. Many other examples of non-uniform topologies are
possible.
[0058] C. Control of Balloons in a Balloon Network
[0059] In some embodiments, control of the balloons in a balloon
network may be centralized. For example, FIG. 2 is a block diagram
illustrating a balloon-network control system, according to an
exemplary embodiment. In particular, FIG. 2 shows a distributed
control system, which includes a central control system 200 and a
number of regional control-systems 202A to 202B. Such a control
system may be configured to coordinate certain functionality for
balloon network 204, and as such, may be configured to control
and/or coordinate certain functions for balloons 206A to 2061.
[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, central control system 200
may be configured to communicate with balloons 206A to 2061 via a
number of regional control systems 202A to 202C. These regional
control systems 202A to 202C may be configured to receive
communications and/or aggregate data from balloons in the
respective geographic areas that they cover, and to relay the
communications and/or data to central control system 200. Further,
regional control systems 202A to 202C may be configured to route
communications from central control system 200 to the balloons in
their respective geographic areas. For instance, as shown in FIG.
2, regional control system 202A may relay communications and/or
data between balloons 206A to 206C and central control system 200,
regional control system 202B may relay communications and/or data
between balloons 206D to 206F and central control system 200, and
regional control system 202C may relay communications and/or data
between balloons 206G to 2061 and central control system 200.
[0061] In order to facilitate communications between the central
control system 200 and balloons 206A to 2061, some or all balloons
may be configured as to communicate with regional control systems
202A to 202C. Accordingly, each regional control system 202A to
202C may be configured to communicate with a balloon or balloons
that are currently operating over its respective geographic area.
For example, in the illustrated embodiment, balloons 204A, 204D,
and 204H may communicate with regional control systems 202A to
202C, respectively, via optical links 206, 208, and 210,
respectively.
[0062] Note that a regional control system 202A to 202B may in fact
just be particular type of ground station that is configured to
communicate with balloons (e.g., such as ground station 112 of FIG.
1). Thus, while not shown in FIG. 2, the control system shown in
FIG. 2 may be implemented in conjunction with other types of ground
stations (e.g., access points, gateways, etc.).
[0063] In a centralized control arrangement, such as that shown in
FIG. 2, the central control system 200 (and possibly regional
control systems 202A to 202C as well) may coordinate certain
mesh-networking functions for balloon network 204. For example,
balloons 206A to 2061 may send the central control system 200
certain state information, which the central control system 200 may
utilize to determine the state of balloon network 204. The state
information from a given balloon may include location data,
optical-link information (e.g., the identity of other balloons with
which the balloon has established an optical link, the bandwidth of
the link, wavelength usage and/or availability on a link, etc.),
wind data collected by the balloon, and/or other types of
information. Accordingly, the central control system 200 may
aggregate state information from some or all the balloons 206A to
2061 in order to determine an overall state of the network.
[0064] The overall state of the network may then be used to
coordinate and/or facilitate certain mesh-networking functions such
as determining lightpaths for connections. For example, the central
control system 200 may determine a current topology based on the
aggregate state information from some or all the balloons 206A to
2061. The topology may provide a picture of the current optical
links that are available in balloon network and/or the wavelength
availability on the links. This topology may then be sent to some
or all of the balloons so that a routing technique may be employed
to select appropriate lightpaths (and possibly backup lightpaths)
for communications through the balloon network 204.
[0065] In a further aspect, the central control system 200 (and
possibly regional control systems 202A to 202C as well) may also
coordinate movements (e.g., flights) of balloons in balloon network
204. For example, the central control system 200 may input state
information that is received from balloons 206A to 2061 to an
energy function, which may effectively compare the current topology
of the network to a desired topology, and provide a vector
indicating a direction of movement (if any) for each balloon, such
that the balloons can move towards the desired topology. Further,
the central control system 200 may use altitudinal wind data to
determine respective altitude adjustments that may be initiated to
achieve the movement towards the desired topology. The central
control system 200 may provide and/or support other balloon control
functions as well.
[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, a backhaul matching system may
be implemented as part of a central control system 200. The
backhaul matching system may utilize ground station information and
flight data for the balloon network 204 to coordinate backhaul
communications between ground stations and balloon network 204. To
do so, the backhaul matching system may assign certain balloon
flights to certain ground stations for backhaul communications, and
may update these flight assignments as the topology of the balloon
network changes over time. To facilitate this functionality,
central control system 200 may also include a centralized database
of flight data for the balloon network, and/or a centralized
database of ground station information.
[0067] As noted, FIG. 2 shows a distributed-control arrangement,
with regional control systems 202A to 202C coordinating
communications between a central control system 200 and a balloon
network 204. Such an arrangement may be useful in a balloon network
that covers a large geographic area. In some embodiments, a
distributed control system may even support a global balloon
network that provides coverage everywhere on earth. Of course, a
distributed-control arrangement may be useful in other scenarios as
well.
[0068] Further, it should be understood that other control-system
arrangements are possible. For instance, some implementations may
involve a distributed control system with additional layers (e.g.,
sub-region systems within the regional control systems, and so on).
Alternatively, control functions may be provided by a single,
centralized, control system, which communicates directly with one
or more downlink balloons. Moreover, control and coordination of a
balloon network may be shared between a ground-based control system
and a balloon network to varying degrees, depending upon the
implementation.
[0069] D. Illustrative Balloon Configurations
[0070] Various types of balloon systems may be incorporated in an
exemplary balloon network. As noted above, an exemplary embodiment
may utilize high-altitude balloons, which typically operate in an
altitude range between 17 km and 22 km. FIG. 3 is a simplified
block diagram illustrating a high-altitude balloon 300, according
to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, the balloon 300 includes an
envelope 302, a skirt 304, a payload 306, and a cut-down system 308
that is attached between the balloon 302 and payload 304.
[0071] The envelope 302 and skirt 304 may take various forms, which
may be currently well-known or yet to be developed. For instance,
the envelope 302 and/or skirt 304 may be made of a highly-flexible
latex material or may be made of a rubber material such as
chloroprene. Other materials are also possible. Further, the shape
and size of the envelope 302 and skirt 304 may vary depending upon
the particular implementation. Additionally, the envelope 302 may
be filled with various different types of gases, such as helium
and/or hydrogen. Other types of gases are possible as well.
[0072] The payload 306 of balloon 300 may include a processor 312
and on-board data storage, such as memory 314. The memory 314 may
take the form of or include a non-transitory computer-readable
medium. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may have
instructions stored thereon, which can be accessed and executed by
the processor 312 in order to carry out the balloon functions
described herein.
[0073] The payload 306 of balloon 300 may also include various
other types of equipment and systems to provide a number of
different functions. For example, payload 306 may include optical
communication system 316, which may transmit optical signals via an
ultra-bright LED system 320, and which may receive optical signals
via an optical-communication receiver 322 (e.g., a photo-diode
receiver system). Further, payload 306 may include an RF
communication system(s) 318, which may transmit and/or receive RF
communications via an antenna system 324. RF communication
system(s) 318 may additionally or alternatively include an RF
communication system for communications with ground stations, such
as a wireless chipset and antenna for LTE and/or millimeter wave
(mmW) communications, among other possibilities. The payload 306
may also include a power supply 326 to supply power to the various
components of balloon 300.
[0074] Further, payload 306 may include various types of other
systems and sensors 328. For example, payload 306 may include, a
GPS system, various motion sensors (e.g., accelerometers,
gyroscopes, and/or compasses), and/or various sensors for capturing
environmental data. Further, some or all of the components within
payload 306 may be implemented in a radiosonde, which may be
operable to measure, e.g., pressure, altitude, geographical
position (latitude and longitude), temperature, relative humidity,
and/or wind velocity and/or direction, among other information.
[0075] As noted, balloon 306 includes an ultra-bright LED system
320 for free-space optical communication with other balloons. As
such, optical communication system 316 may be configured to
transmit a free-space optical signal by modulating the ultra-bright
LED system 320. The optical communication system 316 may be
implemented with mechanical systems and/or with hardware, firmware,
and/or software. Generally, the manner in which an optical
communication system is implemented may vary, depending upon the
particular application.
[0076] In a further aspect, balloon 300 may be configured for
altitude control. For instance, balloon 300 may include a variable
buoyancy system, which is configured to change the altitude of the
balloon 300 by adjusting the volume and/or density of the gas in
the balloon 300. A variable buoyancy system may take various forms,
and may generally be any system that can change the volume and/or
density of gas in envelope 302.
[0077] In an exemplary embodiment, a variable buoyancy system may
include a bladder 310 that is located inside of envelope 302. The
buoyancy of the balloon 300 may therefore be adjusted by changing
the density and/or volume of the gas in bladder 310. To change the
density in bladder 310, balloon 300 may be configured with systems
and/or mechanisms for heating and/or cooling the gas in bladder
310. Further, to change the volume, balloon 300 may include pumps
or other features for adding gas to and/or removing gas from
bladder 310. Additionally or alternatively, to change the volume of
bladder 310, balloon 300 may include release valves or other
features that are controllable to allow air to escape from bladder
310.
[0078] Further, the balloon 300 may include a navigation system
(not shown). The navigation system may implement station-keeping
functions to maintain position within and/or move to a position in
accordance with a desired topology. In particular, the navigation
system may use altitudinal wind data to determine altitudinal
adjustments that result in the wind carrying the balloon in a
desired direction and/or to a desired location. The
altitude-control system may then make adjustments to the density of
the balloon chamber in order to effectuate the determined
altitudinal adjustments and cause the balloon to move laterally to
the desired direction and/or to the desired location.
[0079] Alternatively, the altitudinal adjustments may be computed
by a ground-based control system and communicated to the
high-altitude balloon. As another alternative, the altitudinal
adjustments may be computed by a ground-based or satellite-based
control system and communicated to the high-altitude balloon.
Furthermore, in some embodiments, specific balloons in a
heterogeneous balloon network may be configured to compute
altitudinal adjustments for other balloons and transmit the
adjustment commands to those other balloons.
[0080] As shown, the balloon 300 also includes a cut-down system
308. The cut-down system 308 may be activated to separate the
payload 306 from the rest of balloon 300. This functionality may be
utilized anytime the payload needs to be accessed on the ground,
such as when it is time to remove balloon 300 from a balloon
network, when maintenance is due on systems within payload 306,
and/or when power supply 326 needs to be recharged or replaced.
[0081] In an alternative arrangement, a balloon may not include a
cut-down system. In such an arrangement, the navigation system may
be operable to navigate the balloon to a landing location, in the
event the balloon needs to be removed from the network and/or
accessed on the ground. Further, it is possible that a balloon may
be self-sustaining, such that it theoretically does not need to be
accessed on the ground.
[0082] Note that movement and locations of balloons, such as
balloon 300, can vary since winds in the stratosphere may affect
the locations of the balloons in a differential manner. A balloon
in an example network may be configured to change its horizontal
position by adjusting its vertical position (i.e., altitude). For
example, by adjusting its altitude, a balloon may be able to find
winds that will carry the balloon horizontally (e.g., latitudinally
and/or longitudinally) to a desired horizontal location. Wind
velocity and/or direction may vary with altitude, and since current
wind velocities as well as weather forecasts are available, in
principle, a balloon may be directed to a location by identifying
an altitude at which a wind direction takes a balloon to along a
desired trajectory. However, a balloon without other forms of
propulsion may be constrained to follow the wind and there may not
be a single altitude with winds taking the balloon along the
desired trajectory. In addition, to control a fleet of balloons,
movement of the balloons should occur from one location above the
surface of the Earth to another in a predictable manner.
III. EXAMPLE EXPLORE AND CONTROL MODES
[0083] Example implementations relate to a control system that may
operate an aerial vehicle according to an explore mode or according
to a control mode. This aerial vehicle may be one of the balloons
discussed above in association with FIGS. 1 to 3 or could be any
other entity capable of flying at various altitudes. Also, the
control system at issue may be a central control system (e.g.,
central control system 200), a regional control system (e.g.,
regional control system 202A), may be incorporated as part of a
ground-based station and/or may be incorporated as part of an
aerial vehicle, among other possibilities. And when the control
system is incorporated as part of an aerial vehicle, this aerial
vehicle may itself be the aerial vehicle being operated according
to the above-mentioned modes and/or the aerial vehicle may be
another aerial vehicle in the aerial network, among other
options.
[0084] Regardless of the arrangement in which the control system is
found, the control system may generally include one or more
processors and data storage (e.g., a non-transitory computer
readable medium). Also, the control system may include program
instructions that are stored on the data storage and are executable
by one or more of the processors to carry out various operations,
such as those discussed herein. Moreover, the control system may
take various forms. For instance, the control system may take the
form of a chip set, a server system, a digital signal processor, a
programmable logic controller, and/or a sampled-data system, among
other possibilities.
[0085] With these arrangements, the control system may operate a
particular aerial vehicle by transmitting one or more commands to
the particular aerial vehicle. These commands may be transmitted by
way of communication links, such as those described above for
instance. Also, these commands may be based on the mode in which
the particular aerial vehicle is being operated. In this manner,
the control system may operate the particular aerial vehicle
according to the explore mode or according to the control mode.
These explore and control modes are described in more detail
below.
[0086] A. Example Explore Mode
[0087] When the control system operates the particular aerial
vehicle in accordance with the explore mode, the particular aerial
vehicle may navigate to each of a number of different of altitudes
within the stratosphere; or in other words, may explore or test
actual wind conditions at different altitudes. To determine these
wind conditions at different altitudes the control system may
receive various types of data from sensors of the particular aerial
vehicle (e.g., sensors 328 of balloon 300), such as data related to
altitude, wind velocity, and/or wind direction at different
altitude for instance. Also, the control system may receive this
data at various times, such as periodically, upon request, and/or
at each instance that the particular aerial vehicle arrives at a
different altitude or at a different altitude range, among other
possibilities. Once the control system receives the data, the
control system may then store the data on data storage of the
control system and/or on external data storage that is accessible
to the control system.
[0088] Furthermore, the control system may select the particular
altitudes that are explored and may do so in various ways. For
example, the particular altitudes that are explored may be those
for which the control system needs additional information, such as
additional information regarding wind conditions. In another
example, the particular altitudes that are explored may be selected
by a user of the system by way of user-input data provided to the
control system, such via a graphical user interface (GUI) on a
computing device in communication with the control system for
instance. In yet another example, the control system may randomly
select the various altitudes. Other examples are possible as
well.
[0089] As the aerial vehicle flies to different altitudes, the
control system may determine wind-related data respectively at each
of a plurality of altitudes and may use the determined wind-related
data as basis for determining movement capabilities of the aerial
vehicle respectively at each such altitude of the plurality of
altitudes. For instance, the control system may determine
respective wind direction at a particular altitude. And based on
this determined wind direction, the control system may determine a
respective direction of travel for the particular aerial vehicle at
that particular altitude. Additionally or alternatively, the
control system may determine respective wind velocity at a
particular altitude. And based on this determined wind velocity,
the control system may determine a respective velocity of travel
for the particular aerial vehicle at that particular altitude. In
some cases, the control system could just receive movement
information, such as the velocity of travel and/or the direction of
travel.
[0090] Given this wind-related data (and/or received movement
information), the control system may also determine stratospheric
boundaries within the stratosphere. In particular, the stratosphere
can include a number of atmospheric layers, which may be 1-3
kilometers thick, for instance. The wind velocity will typically
change slowly as an aerial vehicle traverses vertically through a
layer of the stratosphere. However, at boundaries between layers,
there may be abrupt changes in wind velocity. By way of example, a
100 meter altitude change that moves an aerial vehicle across a
layer boundary may result in an order of magnitude greater wind
velocity change than the aerial vehicle would have accomplished by
traversing through the interior of an entire layer. As such, these
abrupt changes in wind velocity may significantly affect the
movement capabilities of the particular aerial vehicle and thus
such boundaries may be determined by the control system based on
the wind-related data.
[0091] In this manner, the explore mode allows the control system
to essentially construct a map relating movement capabilities of
the particular aerial vehicle to various altitudes within the
atmosphere. Using at least the information obtained in the explore
mode, the control system can then operate the particular aerial
vehicle according to the control mode as further discussed below.
Moreover, this determined information may also be shared with or
otherwise applied to other aerial vehicles, so as to allow for
appropriate control of such other aerial vehicles as well.
[0092] FIGS. 4A to 4D illustrate a control system 402 operating a
balloon 404 according to the explore mode. As shown, the control
system 402 communicates with the balloon 404 by way of a
communication link 406 (e.g., directly or via one or more other
entities). Also, the control system 402 has stored in data storage
or otherwise has access to mapping data 408 that maps each of
various altitudes to a respective wind directions and respective
wind velocities. While the wind directions are characterized in
terms of cardinal directions (e.g., north), the wind directions
could also be characterized in other ways, such as by using azimuth
degrees for instance. Moreover, while the wind velocities are
characterized in terms of meters per second (m/s), the wind
velocities could also be characterized in other ways, such as by
using other units (e.g., miles per hour (mph)) for instance.
[0093] FIG. 4A illustrates the balloon 404 as flying at an altitude
410 having a corresponding northerly wind direction and a
corresponding wind velocity of 50 m/s. While the balloon 404 flies
at altitude 410, the control system 402 may not know (e.g., may not
have data stored thereon) and/or may be uncertain (e.g., have high
levels of uncertainty as further discussed below) of wind
directions and/or wind velocities at some altitudes. For instance,
the control system 402 may be uncertain of wind velocity at
altitude 414, may be uncertain of wind direction at altitude 416,
and may be uncertain of both wind direction and wind velocity at
altitude 418. As such, the control system 402 may operate the
balloon 404 in accordance with the explore mode, so as to obtain
the additional information at these various altitudes.
[0094] For example, the control system 402 may direct the balloon
404 to move from altitude 410 to altitude 414. And as shown in FIG.
4B, the balloon 404 has moved to altitude 414. While the balloon is
at altitude 414, the control system 402 may receive from the
balloon 404 data related to wind velocity at altitude 414. Once
this data is received, the control system 402 may determine that
the wind velocity at altitude 414 is 54 m/s and the control system
402 may record the determined wind velocity in the mapping data 408
as shown in FIG. 4B.
[0095] Further, the control system 402 may then direct the balloon
404 to move from altitude 414 to altitude 416. And as shown in FIG.
4C, the balloon 404 has moved to altitude 416. While the balloon is
at altitude 416, the control system 402 may receive from the
balloon 404 data related to wind direction at altitude 416. Once
this data is received, the control system 402 may determine that
the wind direction at altitude 416 is a north-eastern wind
direction and the control system 402 may record the determined wind
direction in the mapping data 408 as shown in FIG. 4C.
[0096] Yet further, the control system 402 may then direct the
balloon 404 to move from altitude 416 to altitude 418. And as shown
in FIG. 4D, the balloon 404 has moved to altitude 418. While the
balloon is at altitude 418, the control system 402 may receive from
the balloon 404 data related to wind direction at altitude 418 as
well as data related to wind velocity at altitude 418. Once this
data is received, the control system 402 may determine that the
wind direction at altitude 418 is a southern wind direction. Also,
control system 402 may determine that the wind velocity at altitude
418 is 58 m/s. The control system 402 may then record the
determined wind direction and the determined wind velocity in the
mapping data 408 as shown in FIG. 4D. Moreover, based on the wind
direction at altitude 416 being a north-eastern wind direction and
the wind direction at altitude 418 being a southern wind direction,
the control system 402 may determine that these wind directions are
substantially different relative to one another (e.g.,
substantially opposite) and that therefore a boundary is present
between altitudes 416 and 418. Other examples and illustrations are
possible as well.
[0097] B. Example Control Mode
[0098] When the control system operates the particular aerial
vehicle in accordance with the control mode, the control system may
specifically select at least one altitude (e.g., a single altitude,
a set of altitudes, a range of altitudes, or a sequence of
altitudes etc.) for the particular aerial vehicle to fly at. In
doing so, the control system may select the at least one altitude
so as to move the particular aerial vehicle to a desired location
(e.g., within a desired network topology) and/or so as to achieve
certain desired movements of the particular aerial vehicle (e.g.,
while providing dynamic coverage), among other possibilities.
[0099] When selecting the at least one altitude, the control system
may select at least one altitude based on determined respective
movement capabilities of the particular aerial vehicle at various
altitudes. For instance, the control system may use data obtained
during the explore mode as a basis for selecting an altitude for
the particular aerial vehicle to fly at. In some cases, however,
the control system may also consider other factors and/or data when
selecting the altitude. For instance, the control system could also
obtain wind-related data as the control system operates the
particular aerial vehicle during control mode (e.g., as the
particular aerial vehicle moves through various altitudes), and the
control system may additionally or alternatively use this data as a
basis for selecting an altitude for the particular aerial vehicle
to fly at. As such, the selected altitude may be one or more of the
plurality of altitudes evaluated during the explore mode and/or may
be one or more other altitudes for which the control system has
sufficient information, among others. And once the at least one
altitude has been selected, the control system may then direct the
particular aerial vehicle to reposition to the at least one
selected altitude.
[0100] Within this control mode, the at least one altitude may be
selected based on various considerations. For example, the
particular aerial vehicle may have a certain desired direction of
travel and/or a desired velocity of travel, so as to reach a target
location within a certain time period and then provide coverage at
the target location for instance. In this example, the particular
aerial vehicle may itself determine the desired direction of travel
and/or the desired velocity of travel and may then request the
control system to guide the particular aerial vehicle towards
achieving the desired direction of travel and/or the desired
velocity of travel. Additionally or alternatively, the control
system may determine the desired direction of travel and/or the
desired velocity of travel and may then guide the particular aerial
vehicle towards achieving the desired direction of travel and/or
the desired velocity of travel. In either case, the control system
may select at least one altitude for which there are corresponding
movement capabilities of the particular aerial vehicle that would
allow the particular aerial vehicle to achieve the desired
direction of travel and/or the desired velocity of travel.
[0101] In another example, the control system may be arranged to
select an altitude range having a constant/smooth change in wind
velocity (and/or wind direction) with respect to the altitudes
within this range. In particular, the control system may consider
the above-mentioned stratospheric boundaries when selecting an
altitude range. For instance, the control system may select an
altitude range that is positioned between such boundaries, so as to
allow for smooth control of the particular aerial vehicle
throughout the altitude range rather than having the particular
aerial vehicle experience abrupt changes in movement. And once the
particular aerial vehicle is within this altitude range, a
proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller may be applied to
control movement of the particular aerial vehicle within this
altitude range. And when applying a PID controller, the PID
controller may arranged so that the altitude is the analog input,
the output is velocity (and/or direction), and the transfer
function is the change of velocity (and/or direction) with respect
to altitude within the region. Note, however, that the control
system could still operate the particular aerial vehicle to move
across such boundaries when the control system selects altitudes to
cause the particular aerial vehicle to do so.
[0102] In yet another example, the control system may be arranged
to select the at least one altitude based on consideration of
predicted trajectories to arrive at a target location. In
particular, the control system may use information obtained during
the explore and/or control modes and/or perhaps information from
predictive weather models (e.g., received from the Global Forecast
System (GFS) provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA)) to generate predicted trajectories of the
particular aerial vehicle. These predicted trajectories may
specifically involve navigation of the particular aerial vehicle
through a starting altitude and perhaps several subsequent
altitudes (and perhaps also longitudinal and/or latitudinal
navigation through one or more of the altitudes). In this example,
the control system may select one of the predicted trajectories
based on considerations such as the shortest arrival time at the
target location, among others. As such, the control system may
select altitudes that correspond to the selected trajectory. Other
examples are possible as well.
[0103] FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate the control system 402 operating
the balloon 404 according to the control mode. As shown in FIG. 5A,
the balloon 404 is flying at an altitude 416 having a corresponding
north-eastern wind direction and a corresponding wind velocity of
52 m/s. While the balloon 404 flies at altitude 416, the control
system 402 may receive a request from the balloon 404 to move in a
northern direction at 54 m/s. In other examples, the control system
402 may itself determine that the balloon 404 should move in a
northern direction at 54 m/s.
[0104] Regardless, the control system 402 may responsively transmit
a command to the balloon 404 as shown in FIG. 5B. This command may
indicate that the balloon 404 should move to altitude 414 having a
corresponding northern wind direction and a corresponding wind
velocity of 54 m/s, thereby using information regarding altitude
414 that was obtained during the explore mode as discussed above in
association with FIG. 4A to 4D. And as shown in FIG. 5C, once the
balloon 404 receives the command, the balloon 404 may responsively
move to altitude 414 at which the balloon 404 could then fly at 54
m/s in a northern direction. Other examples and illustrations are
possible as well.
IV. EXAMPLE SELECTION BETWEEN EXPLORE AND CONTROL MODES
[0105] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method 600, according
to an example implementation. In particular, method 600 may be
implemented to select between operating a particular aerial vehicle
according to the explore mode and operating the particular aerial
vehicle according to the control mode.
[0106] Method 600 shown in FIG. 6 (and other processes and methods
disclosed herein) presents a method that can be implemented within
an arrangement involving, for example, the balloon network 100, the
balloon network 204, and/or the balloon 300 (or more particularly
by one or more components or subsystems thereof, such as by a
processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having
instructions that are executable to cause the device to perform
functions described herein). Additionally or alternatively, method
600 may be implemented within any other arrangements and
systems.
[0107] A. Determining Flight Data
[0108] At block 602, method 600 involves determining flight data
for a particular aerial vehicle (e.g., balloon 102A) in an aerial
network (e.g., balloon network 100) comprising a plurality of
aerial vehicles (e.g., balloons 102A to 102F).
[0109] In an example implementation, the control system may
determine flight data associated with the particular aerial
vehicle. The flight data may take various forms and may include
various types of data and determinations that may be used as
factors during selection between a first and a second mode, as
further discussed below. In particular, the control system may
determine the flight data by receiving information about the
particular aerial vehicle's movements and/or information about the
environment in which the particular aerial vehicle is
positioned.
[0110] In some examples, flight data for the particular aerial
vehicle may include information about the particular aerial
vehicle's direction of travel, velocity of travel, current
horizontal position (e.g., longitudinal and/or latitudinal
positions), current altitude, location, trajectory, measured wind
conditions, air temperature, atmospheric pressure, and/or
operational status, among other possibilities. In further examples,
the flight data may include information related to
historical/current/predicted weather data in the environment of the
particular aerial vehicle, among others. Other examples of flight
data are discussed below in association with block 604.
[0111] Further, the control system may determine the flight data in
various ways. In one example, the control system may receive the
flight data from the particular aerial vehicle (e.g., from sensors
on the particular aerial vehicle). In another example, the control
system may receive the flight data from one or more aerial vehicles
other than the particular aerial vehicle. In yet another example,
the control system may obtain flight data from data storage of the
control system.
[0112] In yet another example, the control system may obtain flight
data from external data storage. In yet another example, the
control system may receive flight data from a cloud-based system.
In yet another example, the control system may receive flight data
from other entities or sources of data. For instance, the control
system may receive weather data in the environment of the
particular aerial vehicle and may receive this data from the GFS
provided by NOAA. Other examples are possible as well.
[0113] Yet further, when the control system determines the flight
data, the control system may do so at various times. In one
example, the control system may determine the flight data
periodically. In another example, the control system may determine
the flight data based on a specific schedule. In yet another
example, the control system may determine the flight data upon
request. In yet another example, the control system may determine
the flight data when one or more other entities choose to transmit
flight data to the control system, such as at time when flight data
changes for instance. Moreover, the control system could determine
the flight data while the control system operates the particular
aerial vehicle in accordance with an explore mode, while the
control system operates the particular aerial vehicle in accordance
with a control mode, and/or while the control system operate other
aerial vehicles, among other possibilities. Other examples are
possible as well.
[0114] B. Making a Selection between the Modes
[0115] At block 604, method 600 involves, based at least in part on
the flight data, making a selection between a first mode and a
second mode, where operation in the first mode includes (i)
directing the particular aerial vehicle to navigate to each of a
plurality of altitudes and (ii) determining respective wind-related
data at each respective altitude of the plurality of altitudes, and
where operation in the second mode includes (i) selecting at least
one altitude based at least in part on the determined wind-related
data and (ii) directing the particular aerial vehicle to reposition
to the at least one selected altitude.
[0116] In an example implementation, the first mode may be an
explore mode, and the second mode may be a control mode. As such,
the control system may be arranged to select between the explore
and control modes at block 604. The process of making a selection
between these modes may responsively occur every time that the
control system receives an information update, may occur
periodically, and/or may be responsive to other trigger events.
Moreover, this selection may be based on various considerations,
such as considerations related to the flight data for the
particular aerial vehicle for instance. Each such consideration may
be given a certain weight in the process of making the selection.
For instance, the selection process may be treated as an
optimization problem (e.g., using optimization techniques that are
currently known or developed in the future) with each consideration
being a constraint that is given a certain weight and with the
solution to the problem being an indication of the mode to select.
Additionally or alternatively, one or more considerations may each
be applied as a "hard rule" and may thus solely or in combination
cause the selection of the explore mode or selection of the control
mode. Several example considerations are described below.
[0117] i. Making a Selection based on Level of Uncertainty about
the Environment
[0118] In one case, the control system may make the selection based
on a level of uncertainty about the environment, such as a level of
uncertainty about wind velocities and/or directions at specific
altitudes for instance. The level of uncertainty may be a metric
that is defined in various ways. For instance, the levels may be
defined as a number range, such as one to ten. And within this
number range, higher numbers (e.g., ten) may represent higher
levels of uncertainty and lower numbers may represent lower levels
of uncertainty (e.g., one). Other instances are possible as
well.
[0119] The control system may determine the level of uncertainty in
various ways. For example, the control system may determine the
level of uncertainty by comparing sets of data within the flight
data. In particular, the control system may determine a first set
of data that is representative of most recently recorded respective
wind conditions (e.g., wind velocity and/or direction) at a given
altitude (or two or more altitudes) as well as a second set of data
that is representative of one or both of (i) historical respective
wind conditions at the given altitude and (ii) predicted future
wind conditions at the given altitude. Once the first and second
sets of data are determined, the control system may then compare
the data sets as further discussed below.
[0120] More specifically, the control system may determine the sets
of data in various ways. For instance, the control system may
receive wind-related data from the particular aerial vehicle, from
other aerial vehicle, and/or from other entities, such as from the
GFS provided by NOAA. In doing so, the control system may record
the data and/or may obtain the data on an as needed basis.
Moreover, the control system may determine timing information
associated with the data. For instance, the control system may time
stamp data packets or may otherwise record a time (e.g., time of
day and/or date etc.) that one or more of various wind conditions
were encountered. Further, the control system may determine or may
otherwise record average wind conditions and/or peak wind
conditions (e.g., highest and lowest wind velocities) at various
times and/or time ranges, among other possibilities.
[0121] With this approach, the control system may maintain or
otherwise refer to a record of wind conditions that occur at
various times and could thus use that record to determine the most
recently recorded (e.g., current) wind conditions and/or historical
wind conditions. Furthermore, the control system may use historical
and/or most recently recorded wind conditions to predict future
wind conditions, such as using any weather prediction and/or
modeling techniques currently known or developed in the future.
Additionally or alternatively, the control system may receive the
timing information and/or any other data related to wind conditions
(e.g., predicted future wind conditions) from other entities, such
as from the GFS provided by NOAA. Other instances are possible as
well.
[0122] Further, the control system may compare the data sets in
various ways and may thus determine the level of uncertainty in
various ways. In one example implementation, wind-related data
(e.g., from one or more of the data sets) may be used to determine
how long wind conditions tend to remain relatively consistent
(within a defined tolerance, for instance) at certain altitude
and/or locations, thereby essentially evaluating how predictable
wind conditions are over time. For instance, at a certain altitude
in a certain location wind condition may tend to remain relatively
consistent (e.g. predictable) for one hour periods. In this
instance, if wind conditions were most recently recorded at a
specific time, then predictability of wind conditions may begin to
progressively decrease over time once one hour has passed since the
specific time. And in another instance, at another altitude
(perhaps in another location) wind condition may tend to remain
relatively consistent (e.g. predictable) for six hour periods. In
this instance, if wind conditions were most recently recorded at a
specific time, then predictability of wind conditions may begin to
progressively decrease over time once six hours have passed since
the specific time.
[0123] As such, the control system may use the first data set
(e.g., representative of most recently recorded respective wind
conditions at a given altitude) to determine a specific duration of
time since recording of the most recently recorded wind conditions
at the given altitude. Also, the control system may use the second
set of data (e.g., representative of one or both of (i) historical
respective wind conditions at the given altitude and (ii) predicted
future wind conditions at the given altitude) to determine an
average duration for which respective wind conditions at the given
altitude tend to remain substantially consistent. Once the control
system determines the specific duration and the average duration,
the control system may then determine a difference between these
durations. That is, the control system may essentially determine
how much time has passed since the wind conditions could still be
substantially predictable. And once the control system determines
the difference, the control system may then determine a level of
uncertainty corresponding to the difference. For instance, the
level of uncertainty may proportionally increase as the difference
increases.
[0124] FIG. 7 illustrates an example analysis for determining the
level of uncertainty. More specifically, FIG. 7 shows the control
system 402 having data (e.g., recorded or determined) stored
thereon or having access to such data. In particular, the control
system 402 may have duration data 704 representative of average
duration for consistent/predictable wind velocity for each of the
altitudes 410-418. Also, the control system 402 may have duration
data 706 representative of specific duration since most recently
recorded wind velocity for each of the altitudes 410-418. Further,
the control system 402 may have mapping data 708 that maps times
passed since predictability (e.g. difference between an average
duration and a specific duration) to respective levels of
uncertainty.
[0125] With this arrangement, the control system could determine a
corresponding difference for a given altitude and could then use
the difference to determine the corresponding level of uncertainty.
In one example, when evaluating the altitude 410, the control
system 402 may determine that the difference between the specific
duration (e.g., 3.9 hours) and the average duration (e.g., 3 hours)
is 0.9 hours. Hence, the control system 402 may determine that 0.9
hours have passed since predictability at altitude 410 and, based
on mapping data 708, may determine that the corresponding level of
uncertainty is at a level of 2 (two).
[0126] In another example, when evaluating the altitude 412, the
control system 402 may determine that the difference between the
specific duration (e.g., 4.4 hours) and the average duration (e.g.,
3.2 hours) is 1.2 hours. Hence, the control system 402 may
determine that 1.2 hours have passed since predictability at
altitude 412 and, based on mapping data 708, may determine that the
corresponding level of uncertainty is at a level of 4 (four).
[0127] In yet another example, when evaluating the altitude 414,
the control system 402 may determine that the difference between
the specific duration (e.g., 6.1 hours) and the average duration
(e.g., 3.3 hours) is 2.8 hours. Hence, the control system 402 may
determine that 2.8 hours have passed since predictability at
altitude 414 and, based on mapping data 708, may determine that the
corresponding level of uncertainty is at a level of 6 (six).
[0128] In yet another example, when evaluating the altitude 416,
the control system 402 may determine that the difference between
the specific duration (e.g., 6.3 hours) and the average duration
(e.g., 3.2 hours) is 3.1 hours. Hence, the control system 402 may
determine that 3.1 hours have passed since predictability at
altitude 416 and, based on mapping data 708, may determine that the
corresponding level of uncertainty is at a level of 8 (eight).
[0129] In yet another example, when evaluating the altitude 418,
the control system 402 may determine that the difference between
the specific duration (e.g., 10.2 hours) and the average duration
(e.g., 4.4 hours) is 5.8 hours. Hence, the control system 402 may
determine that 5.8 hours have passed since predictability at
altitude 418 and, based on mapping data 708, may determine that the
corresponding level of uncertainty is at a level of 10 (ten). Other
examples are possible as well.
[0130] In another example implementation, the control system may
determine a difference between data in the first set and data in
the second set (e.g., differences in wind velocity/direction). And
the control system may then determine a level of uncertainty
corresponding to the determined difference. To do so, the control
system may have stored or may otherwise have access to mapping data
that maps certain difference in data to certain levels of
uncertainty. So based on this mapping data, the control system may
determine the level of uncertainty.
[0131] By way of example, the control system may refer to the
historical (and/or predicted) wind data to determine average
historical (and/or predicted) wind velocity/direction in a certain
area and at a certain time period. And the control system may then
compare this data to most recently recorded data representative of
average wind velocity/direction in the same area and at a
corresponding time period. In this comparison, the control system
may determine a difference exists between the average historical
wind velocity/direction and the most recently recorded average
data. For instance, the average historical wind velocity may be 50
m/s and the most recently recorded average wind velocity (e.g.,
average wind velocity over the most recent hour) may be at 64 m/s.
As such, the control system may determine a level of uncertainty
(e.g., a level of 8 on a scale of 1-10) corresponding to the
determined difference (i.e., 14 m/s difference). Other examples and
example implementations are possible as well.
[0132] As noted, once the control system determines the level of
uncertainty, the control system may then make a selection based at
least in part on the level of uncertainty. In particular, the
control system may determine whether the level of uncertainty is
above or below a threshold level of uncertainty. So if the control
system determined that the level of uncertainty is above the
threshold level, then the control system may responsively select
the explore mode. In particular, the control system may do this so
as to explore wind conditions in the environment when such
conditions are relatively uncertain. Whereas, if the control system
determined that the level of uncertainty is below the threshold
level, then the control system may responsively select the control
mode. In particular, the control system may do this because the
control system may be relatively certain regarding the wind
conditions and could thus appropriately control movement of the
particular aerial vehicle due to this certainty. Other approaches
for making the selection based on the level of uncertainty are
possible as well.
[0133] ii. Making a Selection Based on a Fixed Schedule
[0134] In another case, the control system may make the selection
based on a fixed schedule that is provided or otherwise stored as
part of the flight data. This fixed schedule may be applied for the
particular aerial vehicle and could additionally be applied to
various other aerial vehicles. Moreover, this fixed schedule may be
provided by way of manual engineering input. Additionally or
alternatively, this fixed schedule may be determined based on data
obtained while various aerial vehicles are operated at the explore
and control modes. For example, based on this data, the control
system may determine that sufficient information can be obtained
during explore mode (i.e., for selecting altitude(s) during control
mode) when an aerial vehicle is operated at the explore mode
periodically every four hours and for a duration of fifteen minutes
at each period. As such, based on this determination, the control
system may determine a fixed schedule to periodically switch to
explore mode every four hours and for duration of fifteen minutes
at each period. Other examples are also possible.
[0135] Regardless of how the fixed schedule is determined or
provided, the fixed schedule may indicate one or more explore time
frames during which the control system should operate the
particular aerial vehicle according to the explore mode. Also, the
fixed schedule may indicate one or more control time frames during
which the control system should operate the particular aerial
vehicle according to the explore mode. Generally the explore time
frames and the control time frames may be non-overlapping. As such,
the control system may make the selection based on this fixed
schedule.
[0136] More specifically, the control system may determine a
current time at a current location of the particular aerial vehicle
(e.g., the control system may have access to a timer, a reference
clock, and/or may otherwise obtain timing information from other
entities). And the control system may then determine whether this
current time is within at least one of the explore time frames or
whether this current time is within at least one of the control
time frames. The control system may make this determination
periodically or continuously, among other possibilities.
Nonetheless, if the control system determines that the current time
is within at least one of the explore time frames, then the control
system may responsively select the explore mode. Whereas, if the
control system determines that the current time is within at least
one of the control time frames, then the control system may
responsively select the control mode.
[0137] FIG. 8 illustrates the control system 402 having stored or
otherwise having access to an example fixed schedule 804. As shown,
the control system 402 operates the particular aerial vehicle in
accordance with the explore mode at the time frames of 12:00 AM to
7:00 AM as well as 6:01 PM to 7:59 PM. Whereas, the control system
402 operates the particular aerial vehicle in accordance with the
control mode at the time frames of 7:01 AM to 6:00 PM as well as
8:00 PM to 11:59 PM. Other examples are possible as well.
[0138] iii. Making a Selection Based on Determined Movement
Capabilities
[0139] In yet another case, the control system may make the
selection based on the ability of the particular aerial vehicle to
achieve a desired direction of travel and/or a desired velocity of
travel, among other movement characteristics. The desired direction
of travel and/or the desired velocity of travel may be requested by
the particular aerial vehicle and/or may be determined by the
control system. Further, the control system may determine these
movement capabilities of the particular aerial vehicle in various
ways.
[0140] For example, the control system may operate the particular
aerial vehicle to move to a certain altitude at which the control
system determines the particular aerial vehicle may achieve the
desired movement. Once the particular aerial vehicle moves to that
altitude, the control system may then determine whether the
particular aerial vehicle is moving or capable of moving according
to the desired movement. For instance, the control system may
receive data related to movement of the particular aerial vehicle
(e.g., direction of movement and/or velocity of movement) at that
altitude and/or wind-related data (e.g., wind direction and/or wind
velocity) at that altitude, which tends to correspond to the
movement of the particular aerial vehicle. Based on the received
data, the control system may then determine whether the particular
aerial vehicle is moving or capable of moving according to the
desired movement.
[0141] In another example, the control system may determine a
desired direction and/or a desired velocity for the particular
aerial vehicle, and the control system may responsively refer to
stored mapping data to determine which altitude(s) would allow the
particular aerial vehicle to achieve these movement
characteristics. If the control system determines that the mapping
indicates that no altitude allows for achieving such movement
(e.g., there is no known altitude for achieving the movement
characteristics and/or there is uncertainty in some altitudes as to
whether these altitudes allow for achieving the movement
characteristics), then the control system may responsively
determine that the particular aerial vehicle is not capable of
moving in the desired direction and/or at the desired velocity.
Whereas, if the control system determines that the mapping
indicates one or more altitudes that would allow for achieving such
movement, then the control system may responsively determine that
the particular aerial vehicle is capable of moving in the desired
direction and/or at the desired velocity. Other examples are also
possible.
[0142] As noted, once the control system determines the capability
of the particular aerial vehicle to move in a particular direction
and/or at a particular velocity, the control system may then make a
selection based on these capabilities. So if the control system
determines that the particular aerial vehicle is moving or is
otherwise capable of moving in the desired direction and/or at the
desired velocity, then the control system may responsively select
the control mode. In particular, the control system may do so since
these known capabilities may allow the control system to
appropriately direct movement of the particular aerial vehicle.
Whereas, if the control system determines that the particular
aerial vehicle is not moving or is otherwise not capable of moving
in the desired direction and/or at the desired velocity, then the
control system may responsively select the explore mode. In
particular, the control system may do this so as to essentially
allow for exploration of various altitudes and thus potentially
determine at least one altitude at which the particular aerial
vehicle is capable of moving in the desired direction and/or at the
desired velocity.
[0143] FIGS. 9A to 9D illustrates example selections based on
movement capabilities. As shown in FIG. 9A, the control system 402
is operating the balloon 404 according to the control mode. While
doing so, the control system 402 may receive from the balloon 404 a
request to move in a north-western direction at a velocity of 55
m/s. Responsively, the control system 402 may refer to the mapping
data 408 to determine whether the mapping data 408 indicates at
least one altitude at which the balloon 404 is capable of moving in
a north-western direction at a velocity of 55 m/s. Based on the
mapping data 408, the control system 402 may determine that there
is no known altitude at which the balloon 404 is capable of moving
in a north-western direction at a velocity of 55 m/s. As such, the
control system 402 may responsively select to then instead operate
the balloon 404 according to the explore mode, as illustrated by
data 902 in FIG. 9B. And the control system 402 may then direct the
balloon 404 to explore various altitude during the explore mode
(not shown).
[0144] In further examples, as shown in FIG. 9C, the control system
402 is again operating the balloon 404 according to the control
mode. While doing so, the control system 402 may receive from the
balloon 404 a request to move in a northern direction at a velocity
of 50 m/s. Responsively, the control system 402 may refer to the
mapping data 408 to determine whether the mapping data 408
indicates at least one altitude at which the balloon 404 is capable
of moving in a northern direction at a velocity of 50 m/s. Based on
the mapping data 408, the control system 402 may determine that
altitude 410 is an altitude at which the balloon 404 is capable of
moving in a northern direction at a velocity of 50 m/s. As such,
the control system 402 may responsively select to then continue
operating the balloon 404 according to the control mode, as
illustrated by data 902 in FIG. 9D. And the control system 402 may
then direct the balloon 404 to move to altitude 410 so as to
achieve the desired movement (not shown). Other examples and
illustrations are possible as well.
[0145] iv. Making a Selection Based on Resource Availability
[0146] In yet another case, the control system may make the
selection based on extent of resource availability associated with
the particular aerial vehicle. In this case, information related to
resource availability may be part of flight data (e.g., in form of
sensor data and/or reports etc.) received from the particular
aerial vehicle or otherwise obtained or determined by the control
system in other ways. Further, the resources at issue may take
various forms. For instance, the resources may include available
energy levels, available level of processing power, available range
of transmission, and/or available transmission configurations,
among others. For simplicity, the selection is described below
(without limitation) in the context available energy levels. It
should be understood, however, that the process may extend to
making a selection selection based on extent of availability of one
or more of the above-mentioned resources and/or of other
resources.
[0147] Accordingly, the control system may evaluate/determine
current and/or predicted levels of energy for an energy
storage/generation device coupled to the particular aerial vehicle
(e.g., receiving this information from the particular aerial
vehicle), and the control system may make the selection based on
such levels of energy. In particular, the control system may
determine whether a level of energy is below a threshold level of
energy (e.g., established by way of manual engineering input) or
whether the level of energy is above the threshold level of
energy.
[0148] As such, if the control system determines that the level of
stored energy is below the threshold level, then the control system
may responsively select the control mode. The control system may do
so due to the levels of energy consumption likely being higher when
the particular aerial vehicle is operated at the explore mode
compared to when the particular aerial vehicle is operated at the
control mode, thereby exhibiting a need to consume less energy.
Whereas, if the control system determines that the level of stored
energy is above the threshold level, then the control system may
responsively select the explore mode. The control system may do so
because the explore mode generally results in more movement of the
particular aerial vehicle and thus may demand higher levels of
energy, thereby exhibiting an opportunity to use a relatively high
extent of available energy to essentially gather additional data
during the explore mode.
[0149] By way of example, the particular aerial vehicle may be
equipped with solar panels and the control system may determine
(e.g., based on predicted weather data received from the GFS of the
NOAA) that these solar panels may provide for surplus energy. In
this example, the control system may thus select the explore mode,
so that the surplus energy isn't wasted and so that additional data
may be gathered during the explore mode. Other examples are
possible as well.
[0150] FIGS. 10A to 10B illustrate selections based on resource
availability. In particular, FIG. 10A illustrates the balloon 404
flying at altitude 416 and, while doing so, reporting a level of
stored energy to the control system 402. Once the control system
402 receives the report, the control system 402 may determine that
the level of stored energy is at ninety percent (90%).
Responsively, the control system 402 may then refer to stored or
otherwise obtained data 1004 indicating a threshold energy level
corresponding to the balloon 404 (e.g., fifty percent (50%)). Based
on this data 1004, the control system 402 may then determine that
the reported level of stored energy is above the threshold energy
level. Responsively, the control system 402 may then select to
operate the balloon according to the explore mode as illustrated by
data 902 in FIG. 10A.
[0151] Furthermore, FIG. 10B illustrates the balloon 404 flying at
altitude 416 at a later point in time and, while doing so, again
reporting the level of stored energy to the control system 402.
Once the control system 402 receives the report, the control system
402 may determine that the level of stored energy is at ten percent
(10%). Responsively, the control system 402 may then refer to
stored or otherwise obtained data 1004 indicating the threshold
energy level corresponding to the balloon 404 (e.g., fifty percent
(50%)). Based on this data 1004, the control system 402 may then
determine that the reported level of stored energy is below the
threshold energy level. Responsively, the control system 402 may
then select to operate the balloon according to the control mode as
illustrated by data 902 in FIG. 10B. Other examples and
illustrations are possible as well.
[0152] v. Making a Selection Based on Provided Services
[0153] In yet another case, the control system may make the
selection based on services being provided by the particular aerial
vehicle. The information related to these services may be part of
part of flight data (e.g., in form of sensor data and/or reports
etc.) received from the particular aerial vehicle or otherwise
obtained or determined by the control system in other ways. So in
this case, the control system may initially make a determination of
service currently being (or about to be) provided in a current
coverage area of the particular aerial vehicle, and the control
system may make the selection based on this determination. This
approach may be carried out in one of several example
implementations.
[0154] In one example implementation, the selection may be simply
based on whether or not the particular aerial vehicle is currently
providing service to one or more computing devices located in the
current coverage area. More specifically, if the control system
determines that the particular aerial vehicle is not currently
providing coverage to any computing devices, then the control
system may responsively select the explore mode. The control system
may do so because the particular aerial vehicle could afford to
change the coverage area due to lack of computing devices currently
being served within the current coverage area. That is, this change
of coverage area could be a result of the explore mode involving
more movement of the particular aerial vehicle (e.g., through a
larger altitude range) compared to movement of the particular
aerial vehicle during the control mode.
[0155] Whereas, if the control system determines that the
particular aerial vehicle is currently providing coverage to one or
more computing devices located in the current coverage area, then
the control system may responsively select the control mode. The
control system may do this so that the particular aerial vehicle
can be controlled to continue providing coverage in the area of the
device rather than the particular aerial vehicle being operated at
the explore mode and thus the particular aerial vehicle potentially
changing the coverage area as it is navigating through a plurality
of altitudes.
[0156] In another example implementation, the selection may be
based on availability of other aerial vehicles to provide service.
In particular, if the control system determines that the particular
aerial vehicle is not currently providing coverage to any computing
devices, then the control system may responsively select the
explore mode as discussed above. Whereas, if the control system
determines that the particular aerial vehicle is currently
providing coverage to one or more computing devices located in the
current coverage area, then the control system may responsively
whether one or more other aerial vehicles are available to provide
services to the one or more computing device in this coverage
(e.g., have available bandwidth and/or are not respectively
providing services to any other devices).
[0157] To do so, the control system may refer to data storage or
may otherwise obtain (e.g., from other aerial vehicles and/or
entities) data indicating the services being provided by each of
various aerial vehicles (e.g., data indicating extent of used
bandwidth, listing of device being provided with service, and/or
respective locations at which the aerial vehicles provide service).
And based on this data, the control system may determine which (if
any) aerial vehicle are available to provide service to the one or
more computing devices currently being served by the particular
aerial vehicle in the current coverage area.
[0158] As such, if the control system determines that at least one
aerial vehicle is currently available to provide service to these
one or more computing device located in the current coverage area,
then the control system may responsively select the explore mode.
The control system may do so because other aerial vehicles can
essentially take over and thus provide service to these devices
while the particular aerial vehicle navigates to various altitudes
during explore mode. Alternatively, the control system could
responsively select the control mode and thus have the particular
aerial vehicle continue providing service to these devices.
However, in doing so, the control system could meanwhile
responsively operate one or more other vehicles in explore mode so
as to obtain any information as necessary and then perhaps use that
obtained information to appropriately operate the particular aerial
vehicle according to the control mode.
[0159] In contrast, if the control system determines that no other
aerial vehicle is currently available to provide service to these
one or more computing devices located in the current coverage area,
then the control system may responsively select the control mode.
The control system may do so because no other aerial vehicles can
take over and thus provide service to these devices while the
particular aerial vehicle navigates to various altitudes during
explore mode, thereby exhibiting a need to continue operating the
particular aerial vehicle according to the control mode so as to
have the particular aerial vehicle continue to appropriately
provide coverage to these devices.
[0160] In yet another example implementation, the selection may be
based on availability of the particular aerial vehicle to continue
providing service while being operated according to the explore
mode. More specifically, the control system may determine whether
or not the particular aerial vehicle is capable of continuing to
provide service in the current coverage area while the particular
aerial vehicle is being operated according to the explore mode. The
control system may so in various ways.
[0161] For instance, the control system may determine a range of
coverage (e.g., based on transmission power) of the particular
aerial vehicle defining the maximum distance away from a device at
which the particular aerial vehicle may be located while still
providing service to the device at issue (e.g., providing any
service or providing a threshold high quality of service). Also,
the control system may determine altitudes through which the
particular aerial vehicle is to navigate through if operated
according to the explore mode. For each such altitude, the control
system may then determine whether the particular aerial vehicle
would be located at a distance within the maximum distance if the
particular aerial vehicle were to be located at a respective
altitude.
[0162] So if the particular aerial vehicle would be located at a
distance within the maximum distance at each of these altitudes,
then the control system may determine that the particular aerial
vehicle is capable of continuing to provide service in the current
coverage area while the particular aerial vehicle is being operated
according to the explore mode. And if the particular aerial vehicle
would be located at a distance larger than the maximum distance at
at least one these altitudes, then the control system may determine
that the particular aerial vehicle is not capable of continuing to
provide service in the current coverage area while the particular
aerial vehicle is being operated according to the explore mode.
Other instances are possible as well.
[0163] As such, if the control system determines that the
particular aerial vehicle is capable of continuing to provide
service in the current coverage area while the particular aerial
vehicle is being operated according to the explore mode, then the
control system may responsively select the explore mode. Whereas,
if the control system determines that the particular aerial vehicle
is not capable of continuing to provide service in the current
coverage area while the particular aerial vehicle is being operated
according to the explore mode, then the control system may
responsively select the control mode. Other implementations are
possible as well.
[0164] FIGS. 11A to 11B illustrate selection based on services
being provided. In particular, FIG. 11A illustrates the balloon 404
flying at altitude 410 and, while doing so, reporting a service
status to the control system 402. Once the control system 402
receives the service status, the control system 402 may determine
that the particular aerial vehicle is providing service to device
1104 (as shown in FIG. 11A). Based on this status, the control
system 402 may then responsively operate the balloon 404 according
to the control mode as illustrated by data 902 in FIG. 11A.
Furthermore, FIG. 11B illustrates the balloon 404 flying at
altitude 412 at a later point in time and, while doing so, again
reporting another service status to the control system 402.
[0165] Once the control system 402 receives the new service status,
the control system 402 may determine that the particular aerial
vehicle is not providing service to any device. Based on this new
status, the control system 402 may then responsively operate the
balloon 404 according to the explore mode as illustrated by data
902 in FIG. 11B. Other examples and illustrations are possible as
well.
[0166] C. Operating the Aerial Vehicle According to the Selected
Mode
[0167] At block 606, method 600 involves, based on the selection,
the control system operating the particular aerial vehicle
according to the first mode or operating the particular aerial
vehicle according to the second mode.
[0168] Once the control system selects a mode in accordance with
which the particular aerial vehicle, the control system may then
operate the particular aerial vehicle in accordance with the
selected mode and may do as discussed above. Moreover, operating
the particular vehicle may involve switching between modes or
maintaining the same mode. In particular, if the control system
selects the explore mode, then the control system may switch from
operating the particular aerial vehicle according to the control
mode to operating the particular aerial vehicle according to the
explore mode. Alternatively, the control system may continue
operating the particular aerial vehicle according to the explore
mode if the particular aerial vehicle is already being operated
according to the explore mode. Similarly, if the control system
selects the control mode, then the control system may switch from
operating the particular aerial vehicle according to the explore
mode to operating the particular aerial vehicle according to the
control mode. Alternatively, the control system may continue
operating the particular aerial vehicle according to the control
mode if the particular aerial vehicle is already being operated
according the control mode.
[0169] Further, the control system may inform the particular aerial
vehicle of the selected mode (e.g., by way of a communication via a
communication link), so that the particular aerial vehicle can
responsively reconfigure and/or carry out various operations based
on (e.g., in preparation for being operated in accordance with) the
selected mode. For example, if the explore mode is selected, then
the particular aerial vehicle may responsively calibrate one or
more sensors, such as sensors that obtain wind-related data for
instance. And in another example, if the control mode is selected,
then the particular aerial vehicle may calibrate the optical
communication system and/or an RF communication system, such as in
preparation for potentially providing service to a device for
instance. Other examples are possible as well.
V. CONCLUSION
[0170] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed
herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those
skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed
herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be
limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the
following claims. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses
within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated
herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the
foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are
intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.
[0171] The above detailed description describes various features
and functions of the disclosed systems, devices, and methods with
reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, similar
symbols typically identify similar components, unless context
dictates otherwise. The example embodiments described herein and in
the figures are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments can be
utilized, and other changes can be made, without departing from the
spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be
readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as
generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be
arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide
variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly
contemplated herein.
[0172] With respect to any or all of the ladder diagrams,
scenarios, and flow charts in the figures and as discussed herein,
each block and/or communication may represent a processing of
information and/or a transmission of information in accordance with
example embodiments. Alternative embodiments are included within
the scope of these example embodiments. In these alternative
embodiments, for example, functions described as blocks,
transmissions, communications, requests, responses, and/or messages
may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed,
including substantially concurrent or in reverse order, depending
on the functionality involved. Further, more or fewer blocks and/or
functions may be used with any of the ladder diagrams, scenarios,
and flow charts discussed herein, and these ladder diagrams,
scenarios, and flow charts may be combined with one another, in
part or in whole.
[0173] A block that represents a processing of information may
correspond to circuitry that can be configured to perform the
specific logical functions of a herein-described method or
technique. Alternatively or additionally, a block that represents a
processing of information may correspond to a module, a segment, or
a portion of program code (including related data). The program
code may include one or more instructions executable by a processor
for implementing specific logical functions or actions in the
method or technique. The program code and/or related data may be
stored on any type of computer readable medium such as a storage
device including a disk or hard drive or other storage medium.
[0174] The computer readable medium may also include non-transitory
computer readable media such as computer-readable media that stores
data for short periods of time like register memory, processor
cache, and random access memory (RAM). The computer readable media
may also include non-transitory computer readable media that stores
program code and/or data for longer periods of time, such as
secondary or persistent long term storage, like read only memory
(ROM), optical or magnetic disks, compact-disc read only memory
(CD-ROM), for example. The computer readable media may also be any
other volatile or non-volatile storage systems. A computer readable
medium may be considered a computer readable storage medium, for
example, or a tangible storage device. Moreover, a block that
represents one or more information transmissions may correspond to
information transmissions between software and/or hardware modules
in the same physical device. However, other information
transmissions may be between software modules and/or hardware
modules in different physical devices.
* * * * *