Aether-Net
Lead Participant:
VOLTITUDE LTD
Abstract
Project **Aether-NET** is a collaboration between **Voltitude Ltd**, **Formtech-Composites Ltd** and the Particle Instruments & Diagnostics group at the **University-of-Hertfordshire**. It will deliver technologies to support a multi-role, stratospheric capability supporting cross-sector scenarios including Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Maritime Security use cases. Aether-NET's outputs will pave the way to the enhanced warning of extreme weather events and provide connectivity solutions for first responders and maritime shipping. Aether-NET shall demonstrate:
* **Communications Relay:** Long-range, UHF Comms-Relay, optimised for operation in the stratospheric environment from HAPS platforms. Demonstration of 2-channel operation with an architecture which can support future multi-channel repeater capabilities with the ability to support existing NXDN/dPMR/Tetrapol mobile radio equipment, which is used by emergency services globally. A ‘bent pipe’ mode for military and maritime radio comms relay will be demonstrated from the stratosphere. Featuring automatic power control to maximise throughput and quality of service, this innovative radio system will cater for high demand/throughput while maintaining very low average electrical power consumption.
* **Internet Connectivity:** Lab-based tests will be conducted to develop a high-bandwidth mode of the same SDR developed for the Aether-NET Comms Relay. This will pave the way for a future long-range, high-bandwidth stratospheric gateway, making it possible to connect remote and inaccessible areas, or regions where infrastructure has been affected by disasters. With future development, the high-bandwidth mode could be modified to enable Internet services accessible in remote locations using standard equipment connected to the ground element of the stratospheric gateway. This future ‘IP bridge’ could also be used as the ultra-lightweight, long-range datalink for 3rd-party ISR payload data dissemination.
* **Environmental intelligence:** Micro-dropsondes offer high resolution meteorological observations to enhance weather forecasting accuracy and provide advanced warning of extreme weather events. The micro-dropsondes will be augmented to provide accurate ‘full-column’ datasets from the stratosphere down to sea level. An existing High-Altitude Balloon (HAB) system will be adapted to include an advanced particulates sensor to enable accurate atmospheric profiling to assist in the forecasting of extreme weather and contribute to detailed data acquisition of volcanic ash plumes. A bio-aerosol detection device will be demonstrated in the lab, having been developed on the project using technologies which could be integrated into a HAB system in the future. This technology will pave the way for other dispensable sensors, such as Nuclear Biological and Chemical (NBC) detection as unattended ground sensors deployed via HAPS.
* **Payload housings:** Plug and play integration, designed to be compatible with all existing UK and US HAPS fixed-wing and lighter-than-air platform concepts, with minimal platform dependency. This will be demonstrated on the project using the Aether-NET Comms Relay. A BLOS command and control and data dissemination datalink will be demonstrated, along with an ultra-lightweight payload housing with integrated environmental protection and thermal management features.
* **Steerable payload parachute:** Low-level demonstrations of a steerable parachute recovery system will be conducted. This system will be designed to enable future low-cost T&E of high-value payloads in the stratosphere, over the UK, using light/medium-weight category balloons. This steerable parachute recovery system enables safe return of high-value payloads when operated from disposable balloon systems during T&E or operational use cases. The steerable parachute will be designed to be scalable, supporting payloads from 100g to over 3kg. Designed for high-value payload recovery from single use balloons and accurate insertion of unattended ground sensors and special-dropsonde systems.
* **Communications Relay:** Long-range, UHF Comms-Relay, optimised for operation in the stratospheric environment from HAPS platforms. Demonstration of 2-channel operation with an architecture which can support future multi-channel repeater capabilities with the ability to support existing NXDN/dPMR/Tetrapol mobile radio equipment, which is used by emergency services globally. A ‘bent pipe’ mode for military and maritime radio comms relay will be demonstrated from the stratosphere. Featuring automatic power control to maximise throughput and quality of service, this innovative radio system will cater for high demand/throughput while maintaining very low average electrical power consumption.
* **Internet Connectivity:** Lab-based tests will be conducted to develop a high-bandwidth mode of the same SDR developed for the Aether-NET Comms Relay. This will pave the way for a future long-range, high-bandwidth stratospheric gateway, making it possible to connect remote and inaccessible areas, or regions where infrastructure has been affected by disasters. With future development, the high-bandwidth mode could be modified to enable Internet services accessible in remote locations using standard equipment connected to the ground element of the stratospheric gateway. This future ‘IP bridge’ could also be used as the ultra-lightweight, long-range datalink for 3rd-party ISR payload data dissemination.
* **Environmental intelligence:** Micro-dropsondes offer high resolution meteorological observations to enhance weather forecasting accuracy and provide advanced warning of extreme weather events. The micro-dropsondes will be augmented to provide accurate ‘full-column’ datasets from the stratosphere down to sea level. An existing High-Altitude Balloon (HAB) system will be adapted to include an advanced particulates sensor to enable accurate atmospheric profiling to assist in the forecasting of extreme weather and contribute to detailed data acquisition of volcanic ash plumes. A bio-aerosol detection device will be demonstrated in the lab, having been developed on the project using technologies which could be integrated into a HAB system in the future. This technology will pave the way for other dispensable sensors, such as Nuclear Biological and Chemical (NBC) detection as unattended ground sensors deployed via HAPS.
* **Payload housings:** Plug and play integration, designed to be compatible with all existing UK and US HAPS fixed-wing and lighter-than-air platform concepts, with minimal platform dependency. This will be demonstrated on the project using the Aether-NET Comms Relay. A BLOS command and control and data dissemination datalink will be demonstrated, along with an ultra-lightweight payload housing with integrated environmental protection and thermal management features.
* **Steerable payload parachute:** Low-level demonstrations of a steerable parachute recovery system will be conducted. This system will be designed to enable future low-cost T&E of high-value payloads in the stratosphere, over the UK, using light/medium-weight category balloons. This steerable parachute recovery system enables safe return of high-value payloads when operated from disposable balloon systems during T&E or operational use cases. The steerable parachute will be designed to be scalable, supporting payloads from 100g to over 3kg. Designed for high-value payload recovery from single use balloons and accurate insertion of unattended ground sensors and special-dropsonde systems.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| VOLTITUDE LTD | £778,689 | £ 545,082 |
Participant |
||
| UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE HIGHER EDUCATION CORPORATION | £289,215 | £ 289,215 |
| FORMTECH COMPOSITE LIMITED | £386,020 | £ 270,214 |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Steven Doughty (Project Manager) |