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 a multi-role, stratospheric capability supporting cross-sector scenarios including Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Maritime Security use cases. Aether-NET's complete system solution enables enhanced warning of extreme weather events and connectivity solutions for first responders and maritime shipping. Aether-NET shall demonstrate:
* **Communications Relay:** Long-range, high throughput VHF/UHF Comms-Relay, optimised for operation in the stratospheric environment from HAPS platforms. A simultaneous multi-channel repeater capability, able to support existing NXDN, dPMR and Tetrapol mobile radio equipment, which is used by emergency services globally, as well as bent pipe modes for military and maritime radio comms relay. Featuring automatic power control to maximise throughput and quality of service, this innovative radio system caters for high demand/throughput while maintaining very low average electrical power consumption.
* **Internet Connectivity:** Wideband, long-range, internet connectivity back-haul via stratospheric gateway, connecting remote and inaccessible areas, or regions where infrastructure has been affected by disasters. Internet services are accessible locally using standard, existing Wi-Fi equipment connected to the ground element of the stratospheric gateway. This IP bridge can 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 adapted to include advanced aerosol and particulates sensors to enable accurate extreme weather forecasting, volcanic ash plume detection and bio-aerosol detection. This technology paves the way for other dispensable sensors, such as Nuclear Biological and Chemical (NBC) detection as unattended ground sensors deployed via HAPS.
* **Plug and play integration:** Compatible with all existing UK and US HAPS fixed-wing and lighter-than-air platform concepts, with minimal platform dependency. Aether-NET payloads include their own BLOS command and control and data dissemination datalink, ultra-lightweight housing with integrated environmental protection and thermal control systems featuring automatic power management.
* **Steerable payload parachute:** Enabling 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 is 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, high throughput VHF/UHF Comms-Relay, optimised for operation in the stratospheric environment from HAPS platforms. A simultaneous multi-channel repeater capability, able to support existing NXDN, dPMR and Tetrapol mobile radio equipment, which is used by emergency services globally, as well as bent pipe modes for military and maritime radio comms relay. Featuring automatic power control to maximise throughput and quality of service, this innovative radio system caters for high demand/throughput while maintaining very low average electrical power consumption.
* **Internet Connectivity:** Wideband, long-range, internet connectivity back-haul via stratospheric gateway, connecting remote and inaccessible areas, or regions where infrastructure has been affected by disasters. Internet services are accessible locally using standard, existing Wi-Fi equipment connected to the ground element of the stratospheric gateway. This IP bridge can 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 adapted to include advanced aerosol and particulates sensors to enable accurate extreme weather forecasting, volcanic ash plume detection and bio-aerosol detection. This technology paves the way for other dispensable sensors, such as Nuclear Biological and Chemical (NBC) detection as unattended ground sensors deployed via HAPS.
* **Plug and play integration:** Compatible with all existing UK and US HAPS fixed-wing and lighter-than-air platform concepts, with minimal platform dependency. Aether-NET payloads include their own BLOS command and control and data dissemination datalink, ultra-lightweight housing with integrated environmental protection and thermal control systems featuring automatic power management.
* **Steerable payload parachute:** Enabling 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 is 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 |
| INNOVATE UK | ||
| UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Steven Doughty (Project Manager) |