Relative Positioning of Balloons with Altitude Control and Wind Data
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- determining a desired movement of a target balloon, wherein the target balloon is part of a high-altitude network of balloons, wherein the target balloon comprises a communication system that is operable for data communication with one or more other balloons in the high-altitude network, and wherein the desired movement of the target balloon comprises a desired horizontal movement of the target balloon; and
controlling the target balloon based on the desired movement of the target balloon, wherein controlling the target balloon based on the desired movement of the target balloon comprises controlling an altitude of the target balloon based on the desired horizontal movement of the target balloon.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The positions of balloons in a communication network of balloons, such as a mesh network of high-altitude balloons, may be adjusted relative to one another in order to try to maintain a desired network topology. In one approach, the position of each balloon may be adjusted relative to one or more neighbor balloons. For example, the locations of a target balloon and one or more neighbor balloons may be determined. A desired movement of the target balloon may then be determined based on the locations of the one or more neighbor balloons relative to the location of the target balloon. The target balloon may be controlled based on the desired movement. In some embodiments, the altitude of the target balloon may be controlled in order to expose the target balloon to ambient winds that are capable of producing the desired movement of the target balloon.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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determining a desired movement of a target balloon, wherein the target balloon is part of a high-altitude network of balloons, wherein the target balloon comprises a communication system that is operable for data communication with one or more other balloons in the high-altitude network, and wherein the desired movement of the target balloon comprises a desired horizontal movement of the target balloon; and controlling the target balloon based on the desired movement of the target balloon, wherein controlling the target balloon based on the desired movement of the target balloon comprises controlling an altitude of the target balloon based on the desired horizontal movement of the target balloon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A balloon, comprising:
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an envelope containing a gas; a communication system operable for data communication with one or more other balloons in a high-altitude network of balloons; and a controller coupled to the communication system, wherein the controller is configured to; determine a desired movement of the balloon, wherein the desired movement of the balloon comprises a desired horizontal movement of the balloon; and control an altitude of the balloon based on the desired horizontal movement of the balloon. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification