Loon Project: Internet for everyone Hung Do CS555 - Spring 2016

Project Preview The plan is to launch a ring of balloons orbiting the globe on stratospheric winds, broadcasting an internet signal comparable to that of most 3G connections. Provide internet connectivity for people in rural and remote areas. Take part in disaster recovery.

Internet Accessibility By end 2015, 34% of households in developing countries have Internet access, compared with more than 80% in developed countries. Two third of the world population (4.9B) does not have internet access. Source: http://www.itu.int

Technology Overview Google aims to fly the balloons in the stratosphere, 20km (12 miles) or more above the ground. The balloons pass information from the ground between each other, until the data reaches a balloon that is within range of a ground station and, through it, an internet service provider.

Stratosphere Characteristics Air pressure is 1% of that at sea level. Temperatures hover around -50°C. A thinner atmosphere offers less protection from the UV radiation and temperature swings caused by the sun’s rays.

Balloon Design Update: Google just added the capability to send data using the LTE spectrum. Allow users access internet directly from their mobile phones. (about 5MB/s).

Balloon Design (cont.) Big loon: using helium (lighter than air). Small loon inside: add/release air to change density of the loon. Thus, the loon can go up or down by controlling.

Power for the Balloon Each balloon’s electronics are powered by an array of solar panels. The array is divided into two sections facing in opposite directions, allowing balloon to capture energy in any orientation. Battery keeps Balloon working at night. By moving with the wind and charging in the sun, Project Loon is able to power itself using entirely renewable energy sources.

How loon connects Each balloon can provide connectivity to ground area of 40 km in diameter. For balloon to balloon (mesh network) to ground communications, the balloons use antennas equipped with specialized radio frequency technology. Project loon currently use ism bands (2.4 and 5.8 Ghz bands) that are available for everyone.

How to control the balloon Going up or down to catch wind current based on their direction. (can keep the balloon travel around in one area). Each balloon is equipped with a GPS for tracking its location.

Device from ground Users on the ground need to connect to specialised antenna, which communicate with the balloons. (about 20MB/s).

Example: Path of Balloon Using GPS to track the path of the balloon. Up to date, balloon can reliably last for 100+ day at a time in the stratosphere.

Participating Countries June 2013: Google began a pilot experiment in New Zealand. July 2015: Google signed an agreement with Sri Lanka. Oct 2015: Indonesia agreed to partner with Google Loon in a hope of connecting its 17,000 islands.

Challenges Though the balloons are well above most air traffic, their controllers need to communicate with air traffic control during ascent and descent. Securing that cooperation could be a stumbling block. The balloons move in a chain around the world. As one leaves a particular spot, the next balloon takes over to keep minimal disruption to internet connection.

Conclusion Good approach to bring internet connection for people in remote areas. Google Loon is working very closely with local providers in order to solve privacy and security problem. Several challenges need to be addressed before the project can become a commercial project.

References International Telecommunication Union http://www.itu.int MIT Technology Review https://www.technologyreview.com/s/534986/project-loon/ Project Loon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Loon Presentations from Slideshare http://www.slideshare.net/search/slideshow?searchfrom=header&q=google+loon+project Online link of this presentation https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1R5h__Y97aLIWt7Qn2Ax6PPMSz_9qDoVul3QwgidJCOo/e dit?usp=sharing

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