CAPANINA: Communications from aerial platform networks delivering broadband communications for all

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 03.0622-1

Key words (English)

WPAN; adaptive air interface; UWB; ad-hoc networking; security

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: 506745

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 6. Frame Research Programme - 1.2 Communications technologies

Short description (English)

See abstract

Abstract (English)

Broadband for All -Research and Development program (FP6)
The CAPANINA project will develop broadband capability from aerial platforms to deliver cost effective solutions providing a viable alternative to cable and satellite, with the potential to reach rural, urban and travelling users. Stratospheric broadband fills the gap between satellite and terrestrial wireless technologies. A major international research and development program commenced in November 2003. Involving 13 global partners this three-year €5.6M research program is partially 'funded by the European Union's Framework 6 initiative. As the quest to improve communications continues at an increasing pace, the need to efficiently use our airways demands more innovative approaches. The CAPANINA consortium will develop wireless and optical broadband technologies for use on High Altitude Platforms (HAPs). Typically a HAP is an airship that floats at an altitude of around 20km, well above any normal aircraft but being in the Stratosphere, substantially below orbiting satellites. The consortium includes a mix of academic and industrial partners from across Europe and is also linked, via the Communications Research Laboratory of Japan, to a similar large Japanese government funded project.
Contraves Space AG contributes to work package 3.4 on Optical Communications Terminals. The work part of Contraves is divided into 2 major parts
- a design activity dedicated to optical beam steering units for inter-HAP crosslinks in stratosphere.
- a breadboard verification of essential tracking control.
The design activity at Contraves is supported by measurement results from stratospheric field trials of , the Communications Research Laboratory of Japan (CRL) that were carried out with a 60m class stratospheric airship in mid 2003.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 03.0622-1