Patent Publication Number: US-8116763-B1

Title: Airborne basestation

Description:
FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     This invention (Navy Case No. 98,720) is assigned to the United States Government and is available for licensing for commercial purposes. Licensing and technical inquires may be directed to the Office of Research and Technical Applications, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Pacific, Code 72120, San Diego, Calif. 92152; voice (619) 553-2778; email T2@spawar.navy.mil. 
    
    
     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is related to pending patent application entitled Steerable Antenna, Ser. No. 11/603,707, filed Nov. 22, 2006, the teachings and disclosure of which are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference thereto. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to methods and apparatuses for communicating broadband signals between multiple customers and, more particularly, to methods and apparatuses for communicating using a low-cost, easily maintainable, fast deployable communication system capable of broadband and network communication in various environments. 
     Wireless data and telephony communication systems are quickly replacing conventional communication systems. Conventional terrestrial wireless telephony relies on unobstructed Line-Of-Sight (LOS) paths or close range multi-paths between the sending and receiving stations. This technology is easy to maintain. However, the communication range of operation is limited. The LOS restriction is particularly important for special mobile units, such as off-road vehicles. The local terrain quite often dictates vehicle position relative to the sending and receiving units in order for unobstructed communication to occur. Also, land-based wireless infrastructures are expensive to deploy and maintain, especially in remote areas. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a schematic diagram of a portion of a typical wireless telecommunications system designated generally as  10 . System  10  serves a number of wireless terminals  22  and  24  that are situated within a geographic area. System  10  comprises wireless switching center  12  that is connected to a number of base stations  14 , and that is also coupled to local and long distance telephone networks  16 . Wireless switching center  12  is responsible for, among other things, routing or “switching” calls from and to wireless terminals or, alternatively, between a wireless terminal and a wireline terminal connected to wireless system  10 , via local and/or long distance telephone networks  16 . 
     The geographic area serviced by wireless system  10  is partitioned into a number of spatially distinct areas called cells. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , each cell  20   i  is schematically represented by a hexagon. In practice, however, each cell  20   i  usually has an irregular shape that depends, for example, on the topography of the terrain serviced by system  10 . Typically, each cell  20   i  contains a corresponding base station  14   i . Base station  14   i  comprises antennas and radios to communicate with wireless terminals  22  and  24 . Each base station  14   i  also comprises transmission equipment to communicate with wireless switching center  12 . 
     In designing system  10 , engineers allocate a limited number of frequency channels to each base station  14   i  using well known techniques. Base stations  14   i  communicate with wireless terminals over these frequency channels. Thus, the number of base stations limits the potential capacity of system  10  for processing calls to and from wireless terminals. 
     Present wireless communication systems fail to provide broadband wireless communication in real time across extended distances while maintaining a LOS path between stations where one or both stations may be in motion. Many regions of the world today have a sparse or no fixed communication infrastructure and lack the resources needed to upgrade their existing equipment to match more developed areas. Wireless communication systems are an effective tool for providing this service. However, present wireless systems fail to meet the needs of specific applications. 
     A factor impacting traditional wireless communication infrastructures is the huge increase in demand for communicating broadband services consisting of voice, video, and data information. Because of inherent limitations in the transmission media, wireless communication must compensate for noise introduced in the radio path. The following are wireless techniques for compensating for noise: 1) restricting the range; 2) increasing the transmitted signal amplification or power; 3) increasing the received signal amplification; 4) increasing the error correcting efficiency; 5) changing the radio signal modulation or frequency to reduce the impact of noise; or 6) a combination of any or all of these techniques. However, all of these techniques affect the cost and complexity of a wireless system. Moreover, compensating for unreliable wireless paths becomes increasingly difficult as the data rate increases. 
     Various satellite-based solutions have been proposed to address the above identified issues, but are generally too costly unless applied over continental or larger geographic areas. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) based systems aspiring to global coverage do so at the expense of operating satellites over the two thirds of the earth covered by water. Additionally, the often huge increase in wireless earth-space-earth path distance between terrestrial stations adversely impacts satellite-based solutions because of the end-to-end transmission delay and increased path loss. Thus, real-time communication is impractical at higher orbital altitudes. This is especially the case with Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite systems. An optimally-designed three-stage chemical rocket typically must be 94% propellant at launch to reach geosynchronous orbit, which, after allocating about 5.6% of the weight for the rocket, only leaves about 0.4% of the initial launch weight for the satellite. To put this in perspective, a typical 3,000 lb. automobile with the same performance would only be able to carry one 200 lb. person, would need a 8,400 gallon fuel tank, and would be junked after one trip. 
     The following are other drawbacks or implementation difficulties of GEO satellites: 1) the high cost of launching the satellites into the geostationary orbit; 2) long inter-satellite link distances; and 3) high transmit power requirement. Neither satellite-based or fixed land-based systems easily facilitate transient demands for communication in remote areas. Presently, no communication infrastructure exist for allowing economic operation within a relatively confined geographical area for service that may have fluctuating demand and require rapid deployment of the system. 
       FIG. 2  shows a known communication system in which the platform supporting base station  314  is a high altitude balloon  326 . The high altitude balloon  326  is capable of maintaining altitudes greater than 120,000 feet above sea level for periods of time exceeding several months while supporting a payload. 
     High altitude balloon  326  is provided with a streamlined body to facilitate horizontal movement while minimizing the effect of winds on balloon  326 . Balloon  326  includes propulsion system  332  which may be in the form of propeller  334  driven by an electric motor. A power supply, such as solar cell array  336 , is positioned on the balloon envelope to supply energy during daytime to drive propulsion system  332  and to charge batteries  338 . Batteries  338  supply energy to propulsion system  332  during nighttime flight. Although balloon  326  is disclosed as having propulsion system  332  including propeller  334  driven by an electric motor, an appropriate propulsion system capable of maintaining balloon  326  in a substantially stationary position over the earth may be used, e.g., jet engine, rocket engine, ion engine, etc. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , an RF signal transmitted by wireless terminal  322  is received by base station  314  defining the cell from which the RF signal was transmitted. The RF signal is converted from microwave at base station  314  using demodulation techniques and base station  314  communicates via microwave link  340  with wireless switching center  312 . The RF signal is converted to microwave via block conversion which allows a single wireless switching center  312  to handle all of the processing for hundreds of base stations. If the signal is directed to another wireless terminal, wireless switching center  312  returns the signal along with routing data to base station  314  via microwave link  340 . Thereafter, the signal is routed, according to the routing data, to the appropriate wireless terminal. If the signal is directed to a wireline terminal, wireless switching center  312  will route the call to the appropriate wireline terminal. 
     Unfortunately, the high altitude balloon  326  is currently very expensive to build and operate and such balloons do not yet have operating experience which proves that they can be reliable enough for economically attractive use. 
     There are two key challenges for providing a widely attractive airborne basestation that have not previously been overcome in previous systems. The two key challenges are cost and weight for the communications equipment. Prior systems have been both cost prohibitive and so heavy as to keep all inexpensive lighter-than-air vehicles gravitationally pinned to the ground. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a low-cost, easily maintainable, fast deployable communication system capable of broadband and network communication in various environments. Embodiments of the present invention are directed at providing such a communication system. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention overcome drawbacks of prior elevated communications systems, by using small and relatively inexpensive and lightweight microelectronics to incorporate most of the functions provided by existing communications satellites in small, lighter-than-air communications platforms. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a communications network utilizing an airborne or atmospheric platform as a central node in a star topology wireless communication network serving a plurality of subscribers. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, a system for providing wireless communication services in a geographic area using a star network topology is provided. The system includes at least one atmospheric platform serving as a central relay or node for the geographic area. The atmospheric platform carries a payload that comprises communications equipment. The system can further include a plurality of user equipment units located within the geographic area and optionally at least one fixed or mobile gateway for providing an information pathway to one or more wide area networks (e.g. the Internet, the Global Information Grid, etc.). The gateway has network processing and switching equipment for routing the information to and from the attached wide area networks. The gateway provides information pathways from the platform to user equipment units outside of the geographic area through existing communications infrastructure, such as public switched telephone network (PSTN), fiber optics, satellites or another atmospheric platform servicing different geographical areas. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide robust systems that combine the benefits of providing the network switching capability in the air with the benefits of using an affordable airborne platform instead of costly satellite technology. The network of one embodiment of the present invention is particularly useful in broadband and narrowband communications markets, serving the needs of users requiring fixed, portable, and mobile communications services. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a communication system for wireless broadband communication between a plurality of users. The system includes at least one airborne vehicle for transmitting and receiving communication data within a predefined coverage area. 
     In one embodiment, the airborne vehicle can further include an attitude determining mechanism for generating attitude reference information and a position determining mechanism for generating position information of the airborne vehicle relative to each of the users. The airborne vehicle also includes a central processing unit for generating targeting signals according to the generated attitude reference information and position information and an assignor for assigning at least one transmit and at least one receive data channel of a predefined transmission scheme to each user. In one embodiment data channel transmission and reception occur at different time intervals according to a predefined timing protocol. The airborne vehicle further includes a receive high directivity electronically-steerable antenna for receiving data according to the generated targeting signals, a switching device for routing data from and to source and destination users and a transmit high directivity electronically-steerable antenna for transmitting the received data to the determined destination at the assigned transmit data channel according to the generated targeting signals. 
     In one embodiment, for low data rate communications (e.g. voice), or for situation where the communicating range is short (is less than 5 km), users can operate with substantially conventional omni-directional antennas. However, in embodiments that provide high data rate communications, especially at extended ranges, each of the users preferably has a high directivity antenna. Furthermore, when mobility of the user or mobility of the airborne basestation is important, some of the users preferably have a high directivity electronically-steerable antenna. 
     Each of the users optionally has an attitude determining mechanism for generating attitude reference information, a position determining mechanism for generating position information, a central processing unit for generating targeting signals according to the generated attitude reference information and position information, and transmit and receive antennas for receiving and transmitting data according to the generated targeting signals and the predefined transmission scheme. 
     In accordance with further embodiments of the invention, the system further includes an operations controller with a communication link for supplying operations controlling information to the airborne vehicle. In accordance with other embodiments of this invention, the airborne vehicle can be unmanned or manned. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a schematic diagram of a portion of a typical wireless telecommunications system; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the communication pathways or links between users using a known wireless telecommunications system; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating various components of an embodiment of the airborne broadband communication network of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows the net lifting force (in calm air) versus balloon size for a specific example set of tethered balloons that may have applicability in various embodiments of the system of  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 5  shows typical cost data of small to moderate sized balloons for the specific example set of tethered balloons illustrated by the data of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6   a  shows a schematic view of a multiple beam, electronically steerable antenna which can be utilized with the airborne basestation system. 
         FIG. 6   b  shows an exploded side view of a monolithic integration module of  FIG. 6   a.    
         FIG. 7  shows a top view of a more specific embodiment of an electronically steerable antenna of  FIG. 6   a.    
     
    
    
     While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     As will be better understood from the following description, embodiments of the present invention are directed to an airborne communication system for providing broadband, multi-user communication within a network. Broadband communication provides efficient communication of voice, video and data. It should be noted that the following description will discuss various embodiments and environments in which such embodiment are preferably operated. However, such discussion is provided by way of example and not by way of limitation. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , a system  350  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention uses a lighter-than-air vehicle  360  to provide relay broadband communication service among mobile units  378   i  or non-mobile units  379   i  in a coverage area or cell  380 . The mobile units  378   i  can be ground vehicles such as illustrated by car  378   1  or ambulance  378   4 , or water vehicles as illustrated by boat  378   2 , or air vehicles as illustrated by fixed-wing airplane  378   3 , or space vehicles as illustrated by satellite  378   5 , even people, as illustrated by cell phone carrying person  378   6 , or animals. The non-mobile units  379   i  can be buildings such as illustrated by office building  379   1 , or other fixed structures including antenna towers. 
     The system  350  comprises a lighter-than-air vehicle  360 , an electronically steerable phased array antenna  374 , a radio  372  and a switching device for routing  370 . System  350  can optionally further comprise gateway  375 , which can further comprise information  382 , network processing equipment  384 , and switching equipment  386 . 
     There are numerous types of low density gas enclosure devices, and particularly balloons, that can be considered useful for the lighter-than-air vehicle  360  which is an example of a means for airborne support. Among the potentially preferred types of balloons are rubber pressure balloons, zero pressure balloons, internal air bladder balloons, adjustable volume balloons and super pressure balloons. Each type of these balloons has different advantages and disadvantages. In a preferred embodiment a rubber pressure balloon is utilized. In another preferred embodiment a zero pressure balloon is used. Advantageously, such balloons  360  may be coated on a surface, preferably on the inside thereof with a reduced permeability material, such as by fluid deposition of a sealer that remains flexible upon application. 
     The rubber pressure balloons have a stretchable rubber membrane containing the lifting gas that allows the balloon to increase in size as the external air pressure decreases as the balloon rises. This is the most common type of weather balloon. The primary advantage is the low cost and common accessibility so that high quality balloons of this type, such as weather balloons, are available at low cost. These balloons are somewhat fragile and have delicate handling requirements and also low extended reliability. Further, the use of such balloons requires venting of the lifting gas to prevent bursting upon reaching maximum volumes when used untethered. However, when used with a tether to limit the balloon&#39;s altitude, such venting is not required. 
     The zero pressure balloon have an initially loose bag, usually made from a plastic such as polyethylene or Mylar. As the external air pressure decreases, the bag increases in volume. Once the bag reaches its whole volume, gas must be vented (but again, only when used untethered) or the balloon will burst as the bag material does not stretch. Although this type of balloon may be more reliable than the rubber balloons and provide less diffusion of the lifting gas, it is of a median cost, more costly than the rubber balloons, currently between about four to ten times more expensive. Thus, although the rubber balloon might be more preferred for purposes of low cost platforms, the zero pressure balloon also provides a useful enclosure for lifting the platform up and has certain advantages over the rubber pressure balloons. 
     Internal air bladder balloons have a flexible balloon containing air enclosed in a fixed volume balloon containing a lifting gas. Air is pumped into the inner-flexible balloon which compresses the lifting gas trapped in the fixed volume balloon, thereby decreasing the overall lift. Air is let out of the inner-flexible balloon to increase lift. Blimps adjust lift using this principle. This type of balloon has certain advantages as there is no lift gas lost when reducing lift and it is potentially more reliable than rubber balloons, however it is more costly due to extra balloon, pump and extra required power for operating the increase and decrease of lift mechanism. 
     Adjustable volume balloons include a fixed volume containing the lifting gas and a mechanical way of reducing the volume of the balloon. By decreasing the volume, the lifting gas is compressed and the lift decreases. The volume may be reduced any number of ways, including an adjustable line inside the balloon from the neck of the balloon to the top of the balloon. When the line is shortened, volume decreases. The lifting gas is not vented to reduce lift and it may be more reliable than rubber balloons. However, it has a significantly more costly due to the mechanical volume reducing mechanism and further, requires extra power for operation of such a mechanical volume-reducing mechanism. 
     Super pressure balloons have a fixed volume. They are called super pressure balloons because they do not expand to match the decreasing exterior pressure. They are built strong enough to hold the increased pressure. These balloons can achieve extremely long float lives because they do not need to vent gas to prevent bursting and they typically have very low membrane gas diffusion. This type of balloon is the highest cost, although one of the most reliable, with little loss of lifting gas. The extreme high cost and difficulty of manufacture and the lack of developed technology regarding such balloons, indicates that other alternatives are currently more attractive. 
     For communications networks requiring larger coverage range (albeit at higher cost), one embodiment utilizes a higher flying lighter-than-aircraft. Affordable stratospheric altitude platforms (platform that ascends into the upper air stratosphere region above about 7 miles) from which surveillance and sensor equipment of various types are supported for fulfilling missions such as upper air data acquisition, weather surveillance, outer space data acquisition, communication links, ballistic missile detection and tracking and defense system device actuation, etc. have long been sought. Air breathing engine aircraft are altitude limited, rocket powered aircraft have limited endurance and satellites are expensive to launch and replace. Light weight balloon envelopes filled with a lighter-than-air gas, such as hydrogen or helium, are capable of ascending to stratospheric heights carrying moderate size payloads. 
     In particular large volume, free balloons of very thin plastic material are relatively inexpensive, their launch time and positions are controllable, are capable of lifting equipment to stratospheric altitudes and have been successfully used at times for high altitude missions. However, high altitude balloons of light plastic fabric are extremely difficult to launch and have a poor record of successful ground launch operations due to their extreme sensitivity to even slight wind conditions. This is due to their very large size, the very light weight of the thin plastic of the envelopes at the top of which the small captive helium bubble is contained at the ground level launching site. The enormous side area of the “loose” envelope presents a large sail area that is easily affected by the lightest of wind gusts, particularly when the gusts come from different directions that is common in calm wind conditions, leading to tearing the thin plastic material so as to completely destroy the envelope at launch. A two stage air-buoyant vehicle system in which a second stage air-buoyant vehicle capable of ascending to stratospheric altitudes is carried to and launched from a first stage air-buoyant vehicle at medium altitudes above ground level can be used to overcome this launch problem with affordable stratospheric platforms in one embodiment. 
     The first stage lower air-buoyant vehicle (LABV) airship has a lifting gas volume capable of carrying one or more second stage upper air-buoyant vehicle (UABV) platforms to an altitude of moderately stable air, preferably about 10,000 to 12,000 feet or higher. German Zeppelin type airships of World War I were capable of reaching 25,000 feet. The lower, first stage airship (LABV) has provisions for carrying the second stage UABV platform either partially inflated at ground level or inflated in flight to the launching altitude from which the second stage UABV platform can be released and launched under essentially a zero wind condition by establishing the first stage LABV airship at a level attitude and substantially zero relative air speed. The expandable volume of the lifting gas container (i.e. envelope) of the second stage UABV is such it can ascend to the desired stratospheric float altitude levels. 
     The most simple and inexpensive type of second stage UABV vehicle in one embodiment is a free balloon of light weight plastic from which the communication payload hangs and can be either tethered to the first stage launching LABV or permitted to float freely. More sophisticated second stage UABV platform vehicles equipped with a self contained power thruster are used in one embodiment instead of the free balloon type of second stage UABV platform. 
     In one embodiment, the lower or first stage air-buoyant vehicle (LABV) comprises a manned or unmanned large airship having vectored thrust provisions for establishing positive attitude and translational movement control at all air speeds from and above zero. In one embodiment, the LABV is a hybrid airship such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,112, entitled VECTORED THRUST AIRSHIP, the teachings and disclosure of which are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference thereto. 
     For higher durability at stratospheric altitudes (albeit at even higher cost) one embodiment utilizes an autonomous airship designed specifically for flight in the stratosphere with the capability for maintaining a fixed position over a point on the surface of the earth. An example of such an airship was disclosed by Perry, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,163, the teachings and disclosure of which are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference thereto. Perry&#39;s airship provides autonomous control and navigation between predetermined waypoints, or may be programmed to remain within the optical line of sight of a predetermined position on the surface of the earth by matching the speed of the wind. Further examples of autonomous airships that may be utilized in embodiments of the present invention are high altitude balloons as disclosed in J. J. Vorchek, U.S. Pat. No. 3,746,282 issued Jul. 17, 1973 and J. L. Rand et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,059 issued Apr. 14, 1992, the teachings and disclosure of which are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference thereto. 
     There are two challenges for providing a widely attractive airborne basestation that have not previously been overcome. The two challenges are cost and weight for the communications equipment (the electronically steerable phased array antenna  374 , the radio  372  and the switching device for routing  370 ). Prior high-directivity electronically-steerable antennas have been both cost prohibitive and so heavy as to keep all affordable lighter-than-air vehicles gravitationally pinned to the ground. 
     Currently available high-gain antennas are limited to either single-beam, mechanically-steered antennas (satellite dishes) not suited for highly dynamic terrestrial ad hoc networking, or unacceptably expensive phased arrays. A phased array antenna element typically costs on the order of a thousand dollars, and hundreds to thousands of elements are required for a single antenna. The resulting phased array antenna can cost millions of dollars. Furthermore, classical phased-arrays are heavy (e.g. 200 to 300 lbs. for the required apertures for a winged aircraft) and thus also unsuitable for use in a small-scale lighter-than-air vehicle whose buoyancy is only on the order of a few pounds. 
     By contrast, embodiments of the instant invention employ a high-gain electronically-steered light-weight antenna technology which may cost less than one hundred dollars per antenna. This low-cost and high functionality enables deployment on a small-scale lighter-than-air vehicle, which enables rapidly deployable communications. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , for the electronically steerable phased array antenna  374 , one embodiment of the instant invention employs the novel high-gain electronically-steered light-weight antenna technology disclosed by Olsen in Steerable Antenna, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/603,707 filed Nov. 22, 2006 (Olsen SA), the teachings and disclosure of which are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference thereto. 
     Generally speaking, Olsen SA provides an integrated phased array for simultaneously receiving/transmitting signals. The integrated phased array comprises the following elements: an array of antenna elements, a plurality of waveguides, a beam forming network, and an RF switch. More specifically the integrated phased array may comprise a monolithic integrated unit comprising a dielectric layer sandwiched between two conductive layers, wherein at least two of the array of antenna elements, plurality of waveguides, beam forming network, and RF switch are contained. Olsen SA provides a 2-dimensionally (2D) steerable phased array comprising: a 1-dimensionally electronically steerable phased array, and a means for mechanically rotating said 1-dimensionally electronically steerable phased array. Also disclosed is a 2-dimensional beam forming network. Olsen SA also details an electronically steerable antenna comprising: an array of antenna elements, a means to excite the antenna elements. The antenna is steerable by inertia-less means, is capable of scanning over at least 40 degrees, has a main beam width of less than 35 degrees, and has a mass of less than 50 kilograms (and can be made in versions with a mass of less than 1 kg). 
     Olsen SA also details a steerable antenna that fits within a volume defined by 60 cm×60 cm×6 cm and another embodiment has a projected area less than 30 cm×30 cm. Yet another embodiment provides a steerable antenna that is isothermal to within 10 degrees Kelvin. Still another embodiment provides a steerable antenna that is substantially a conformable surface. Olsen SA also details an electronically steerable antenna with a gain of over 10 dBi and another embodiment provides a steerable antenna with a main beam height of less than 50 degrees. Still another embodiment provides an electronically steerable antenna capable of producing at least two substantially independent main beams and another embodiment is capable of scanning over at least 60 degrees. Olsen SA also details an electronically steerable antenna that consumes less than 30 Watts and another embodiment provides a steerable antenna that is self-capable of removing any heat generated from within. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , for the radio  372 , an embodiment of the airborne basestation of the present invention uses any reasonably lightweight and power efficient radio in any microwave or millimeter wave frequency band. For example the radio  372  in one embodiment comprises a commercially off the shelf IEEE 802.11 compliant radio, or an 802.16 compliant radio. For another embodiment the radio  372  comprises a JTRS (Joint Tactical Radio System) compliant radio if the JTRS radio&#39;s weight and cost are appropriate for the intended application. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a router that can be used for the switching device for routing  370  is provided by a Cisco Model 2600 Series router available from Cisco Systems, Inc., San Jose, Calif., USA. The Cisco 2600 Series of modular multi-service access routers offer flexible LAN (local area network) and WAN (wide area network) configurations, integrated security features, and a range of high performance processors. In an alternate embodiment, a router that can be used for the switching device for routing  370  for low cost applications is provided by Linksys Model INSTANT BROADBAND™ router from Linksys, Irvine Calif., USA. The Linksys Model INSTANT BROADBAND™ router is inexpensive, has a 4-Port Switch/VPN Endpoint, and is suitable for connecting a small group of PCs to a high-speed broadband gateway (e.g. Internet) connection or a 10/100 Ethernet backbone. 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 3 , an embodiment of the system  350  includes tether  376 . The tether  376  is an example of a means for localizing system  350 . The tether  376  prevents the lighter-than-air vehicle  360  from rising to excessive altitudes which would otherwise lead to burst failure (unless gas venting systems were onboard). The tether  376  prevents the lighter-than-air vehicle  360  from rising to excessive altitudes which may be prohibited by local law (e.g. 500 ft elevation restriction on tethered balloons flown in the USA). In addition the tether  376  prevents the lighter-than-air vehicle  360  from drifting away from its desired local by the force of the ambient wind. The tether  376  can be provide by polyester covered SPECTRA™ available from Floatograph Technologies Marion, Ind., USA. 
       FIG. 4  shows the net lifting force (in calm air) versus balloon size for a specific example set of tethered balloons. Model name SKY-DOC™ balloons are available from Floatograph Technologies Marion, Ind., USA. Notice that the lifting force is rather modest in comparison with a typical several hundred pound steerable antenna of prior systems. Note also that even a 25 ft diameter balloon would not be able to lift a several hundred pound steerable antenna. By contrast, the instant invention employs a lightweight electronically steerable antenna that can weigh less than a pound. Therefore, the instant invention can utilize small to moderate sized balloons. 
       FIG. 5  shows that cost of small to moderate sized balloons for the same specific example set of tethered balloons (model name SKY-DOC™). It is apparent that while even a $4,000 balloon would not be able to lift a several hundred pound steerable antenna of prior systems, only $1,000 to $2,000 would be needed to provide lift to a lightweight electronically steerable antenna of the instant invention. 
     Embodiments of the present invention overcome an important limitation, namely latency, of satellite-based systems. Communications satellites are typically deployed in GEO orbits, which place them at a distance of 35,788 kilometers (km) above the Earth&#39;s surface. Although electromagnetic signals travel at the speed of light, these signals must be uplinked from the ground station, be processed by the satellite, and be downlinked to another ground station and/or a user antenna. Since the distance between original transmission and final destination is 35,788 km times two (equals 71,576 km), a significant delay in the system transit time is introduced (about 240 milliseconds). Such delays are especially noticeable in duplex communications systems. Further, satellite data throughput capabilities can be strained as more and more data are required in a given geographic region. 
     Embodiments of the present invention minimize the delay in the system by providing a shorter total communication path distance between the communicating entities (e.g. the users and the data sources). Embodiments of the present invention also reduce the projected beam size on the ground, thus increasing “bandwidth/ground area.” The present invention uses a “Geo-stationary” aeronautical platform that is suitable for microwave and other payloads similar to those used in satellite communications systems. Since the distance between the ground station and the platform is around twenty km, the delay between transmission and reception is reduced to less than 0.06% of that of a geosynchronous satellite transmission system (˜0.1 millisecond round-trip delay). In other words, the latency of the present approach is more than 1,000 times better than for GEO satellites. Furthermore since the area of a 20 km radius circle is about 1300 square kilometers compared with ⅓ rd  of the earth&#39;s area (170 million square kilometers, the area covered by a geostationary satellite), embodiments of the present invention can exhibit a 100,000 times greater bandwidth/ground area utility than GEO satellites. 
     Returning again to  FIG. 3 , basestation  360 , together with nodes  378   i , within cell  380  clearly form a communications system. In one embodiment basestation  360  serves as a central relay or node for cell  380  for a geographic area. In another embodiment basestation  360  comprises a gateway  375  to at least one wide area network. The gateway  375  further comprises: the information  382 , network processing equipment  384  and switching equipment  386  wherein the switching equipment  386  routes the information  382  to and from the gateway  375  to at least one wide area network. Examples of a wide area network include a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a fiber optics network, a satellite network, or another atmospheric platform servicing different geographical areas. 
       FIG. 6   a  is a schematic view of a multiple beam array antenna system which could be utilized with the present invention. A beam forming network  620  with multiple inputs  621  and multiple outputs  622  is fed at least one RF signal by a means for selectively connecting  610  to at least one of the multiple inputs  621 . The beam forming network  620  operates on an input RF signal applied to one of its inputs  621  to produce multiple time delayed (or phase shifted) copies with a variety of amplitudes which are modified relative to the input RF signal. An array of antenna elements  630  is connected to the multiple outputs  622 . The beam forming network  620  can, in general perform steering in two dimensions, e.g. both elevation and azimuth angles. However, costs, size and height can be minimized when the beam forming network  620  operates in a single dimension. 
       FIG. 6   b  is an exploded side view of a monolithic integration module  660 . The monolithic integration module  660  comprises a dielectric layer  665  sandwiched between an upper conductive layer  666  and a bottom conductive layer  667 . To provide an integrated unit, with subsequent cost, simplicity, height and volume benefits, at least two among the beam forming network  620 , means for selectively connecting  610 , multiple inputs  621 , multiple outputs  622 , and array of antenna elements  630  are contained within the monolithic integration module  660 . 
     The term RF signal as used here means an electromagnetic signal in microwave or millimeter wave bands. Means for selectively connecting  610  can be discreet or continuous in nature. An example of discreet means is one or more switches, either electrically operated or mechanically operated. An example of an electrically operated switch is a circuit based on a PIN diode. An example of continuous means for selectively connecting  610  is a feed horn which can be slid along the surface of a lens (which is itself an example of a beam forming network). 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of a more specific first embodiment of this invention. Rotman lens  720  is an example of a beam forming network. It is fed by switch network  710 , an example of a means for selectively connecting. In this illustration, switch network  710  is a corporate or binary switch tree starting from a single input  711  which can be selectively connected to any Rotman lens input  721  by appropriately setting the individual switches of switch network  710 . Rotman lens  720  performs its beam forming operation on an RF signal sent from single input  711  through one of Rotman lens inputs  721  then delivers phase-shifted signals through Rotman lens outputs  722  to antenna elements  730 . 
     In this case, antenna elements  730  are provided by slots  731 - 1  through  731 -N, etched in top conductor  766 . Bottom conductor  767  (which is not visible from this orientation) is substantially a solid featureless conductive sheet. In this example, both top conductor  766  and bottom conductor  767  are copper. However, other electrical conductors can be used, including without limitation aluminum, other metals, painted, inked or vapor deposited conductors, or even polymeric conductors. In addition, in this example, glass-loaded teflon sheet  765  is used as an example of a dielectric layer. 
     Starting stock for this metal-surrounding-dielectric construction for use at, for example, 5.8 GHz can be obtained commercially as 0.050 inch thick Duroid 5880 from Rogers Corporation located in Rogers, Conn., USA. With the exception of the electrically activated switches, all of the features illustrated in  FIG. 7  can be produced by electrochemically etching the top conductor  766  by processes common in the circuit board fabrication art. The switches of switch network  710  can be provided by PIN-diode based circuits as commonly practiced in microwave and millimeter wave art. An exciter  740 , a specific example of a means to excite, comprising the elements shown in the upper portion of  FIG. 7  provides signal to the antenna elements  730 . Herein generally, a means to excite the antenna elements shall be defined as comprising the beamforming network plus the means of selective connection and any needed connection between the beamforming network, the means of selective connection and the antenna elements. 
     In this example, all three subsystems, beamforming network, antenna elements, and means of selective connection are shown to be incorporated onto a single monolithic integrated unit. The values of this integration stem from the fact that cost, complexity, weight, and size are all reduced, thus enhancing practicality. It is clear that other configurations are possible wherein only two of the three subsystems are incorporated onto a single monolithic integrated unit, yet significant cost and other benefits can still be achieved. 
     With certain additional considerations, the invention taught by  FIGS. 6 and 7  can be realized in lightweight form. The most significant way to reduce the mass of the invention is to utilize a low density foam dielectric for dielectric layer  665 . An example of such foam can be obtained from Arlon Materials for Electronics Co., Ltd. Jiangsu, China in Model FoamClad RIF 100. 
     An additional approach for low mass is to use a TEM mode-only structure, as the thickness of such a structure will necessarily be below λ/2 (half the wave length in the dielectric material) (see for example Microwave Engineering, 2″d Edition, David Pozar, published by John Wiley and Sons, N.Y., pages 115-119) the resulting system will necessarily be limited in mass. This invention therefore also provides a mechanically thin phased array (wherein the array thickness is less one tenth the longest linear dimension of its aperture area). An additional strategy to reduce mass is to use only a thin layer of conductor. Specifically, one can use less than 10 skin depths of a conductor without increasing the electrical losses within the structure. Moreover, one can reduce the thickness down to below 3 skin depths with only sn˜aliln creases in electrical losses and thus achieve low conductor mass. When such thin layers employed it may be advisable to provide a protective overcoat to prevent oxidation of the conductor lest the long term performance suffer degradation. Of course, it is understood that the above listed approaches to achieving low mass can be used in combinations as well as alone. 
     When one employs a TEM-mode (transverse electric and magnetic mode) structure in the instant invention, a very important benefit is the production of a dimensionally tolerant product. This dimensional tolerance enables a low production cost quite distinct from expensive conventional microwave waveguide hardware. 
     Further details of high-gain, electronically-steered light-weight antenna technology are described in the above Olsen SA patent application. 
     For low data rate communications (e.g. voice) or for situations where the communicating range is short, an embodiment of the present invention further includes mobile subscriber nodes. Preferably, these mobile subscriber nodes comprise a substantially conventional omni-directional antenna. For high data rate communications especially at extended ranges, an embodiment of the present invention further comprises mobile subscriber nodes having a high directivity antenna. More specifically, in one embodiment the high directivity antenna comprises an electronically-steerable antenna. 
     Thus there has been described embodiments of a network system, apparatus and method that provides wireless communications, such as voice, data, images, video, and multi-media services, to a geographic area large enough to encompass a city and its neighboring communities. The network can provide broadband and narrowband data services to subscribers by utilizing signal bandwidths at either microwave or millimeter wave (MMW) carrier frequencies for providing wireless subscriber links. It should be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of the some of the many specific embodiments that represent the principles of the present invention. For example, a time division multiple access (TDMA) system (which is known in the art) could be utilized with the present invention to provide a digital communication channel allowing multiple users to access a single communication channel. Clearly, numerous other arrangements can be readily devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
     It will be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangement of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principal and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.