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Abstract - At present we seek the service of Internet Service Providers to connect us to the global network. The
telephone companies or the telecommunication operators provides this kind of service for us. This is reachable to only
one out of three in the world's population . The remaining people are not able to get internet access. It is not an easy
task to lay the telecommunication lines all around the world to provide internet connection everywhere . Since the
developing countries cannot afford such a huge sum of money to lay fiber cables, this will not be the optimal
solution. To provide internet facility in remote places and rural areas, we need a high altitude platform. Google came
up with a innovative solution to use balloons to provide internet connection in remote regions. Balloons are used for
numerous purposes but here it is used to provide internet connection in remote regions. This project is a network of
balloons floating in the stratosphere. It acts as a wireless station and provides internet service to the rural areas and
remote regions in a cost-effective manner.
INTRODUCTION
Internet is a global system of interconnected network to serve billions of users. It is a network of networks. We
are bouncing from 3G (Third Generation) to 4G (Fourth Generation) yet, there are still people who don't get internet
access . It is found that, for every two in a group of three of word's population, internet is unreachable technology. The
use of satellite internet communication is also very expensive and common people cannot afford it. In order to overcome
this problem, we can use fibre cable connections, since the developing countries cannot afford such a huge sum of money
to lay the cable all over the country it would not yield optimal solution. Google searched for the solution somewhere
around like the skies, which popped up with an innovative concept of balloon powered internet access to all. The quest
resulted in 'Project Loon'. Through this they are able to bring internet access to all the remote areas at an affordable
price. The project Loon is an aerial balloon network. It flies at an altitude of 20 km (kilo metres) above the earth surface
in the stratosphere, and they provide wireless mobile network station in sky with up to 3G speeds. Utilizing the help of
wind data obtained from the NOAA ( National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ) they govern the balloon
movements. The balloons are equipped with transceivers to send and receive the signals which travel in the balloon
network before reaching the ground station. In turn it joins the global network by establishing connection with ISP
(Internet Service Provider) or using LTE (Long Term Evolution ) technology we can directly connect to network using
mobile phones.
II. THE LOON’S TECHNOLOGY
The technology implemented in this project avoids use of expensive fiber cables. Most of the equipments used
in loon can be reused and recycled hence this loon is safe and environment scientific research.
A. Envelope
The inflatable part of balloon is made of sheets of polyethylene plastics, which is about 3 mil or 0.076 mm
thickness. It forms the balloon envelope. When filled with Helium, it stands 15m (49 ft) wide and 12m (39 ft) tall, on full inflation. They are long-lasting than conventional weather balloons. These are super pressure balloons and have a
maximum life time of 55 days. When a balloon is to be pulled out of service, first we have to release the gas in the
balloon. This is achieved with the implementation of a custom air pump system, which is used to release air from or
pump into the balloon in a periodic manner for controlled descendent. Unfortunately, if the balloons drops quickly or
when the balloon is to be picked out of network safely, we use a parachute which is fixed at the top of the envelope.
B. Solar Panels
The electronics of each unit are powered by solar panel array which is conveniently placed between the
envelope and hardware part. These panels generate a power of 100 W (Watt) in full sun that is sufficient enough to run
the entire unit during day time and for charging the battery, to use at night.
C. Control Box
A small box weighing 10 kg hangs below the balloon's envelope which has all Wi-Fi circuits, batteries, a
Linux-based computer, GPS (Geographical positioning System) devices and sensors to record the temperature of air,
altitude of balloon and its speed and circuit boards to control the unit.
CONNECTING PEOPLE
Once the entire setup is assembled then the balloon will be able to provide internet coverage for an area of 40
km in its diameter. Initially we can send and receive signals using the radios and antennas within the balloon network
system alone. But now using a special technology called LTE, people can connect to network using their mobiles and
other LTE-enabled devices. The users send signals by the stationary antenna fixed on their building. The top of the
balloon envelope consists of a reflector disc and a pair of patch antenna kept parallel. The signals from the user are
reflected to the patch antenna and at the same time it also receives direct waves. These two waves interfere constructively
only for the particular signal wavelength that are to be received by the balloon. The received signals bounces from
balloon to balloon and finally reaches the ground station which are spaced about 100 km (62 mi) apart and there it joins
the global network with pre-existing infrastructure for internet service like our local telecommunications partners. This is
cost effective compared to the usage of satellite communication service, where the cost charged exceeds the monthly
income of a common man. The developing countries that cannot afford to lay fibre cables is greatly benefited through
this technology.
VI. PILOT TESTS CONDUCTED
This Project loon balloon network so called Google balloon is a research and development project by Google.
Several pilot tests were conducted to improve its performance. One among them was conducted in New Zealand on June
2013 at Christchurch. Initially 40 balloons were launched. They offered 18 minutes of balloon based internet for 60
lucky volunteers on 40th parallel south. The results of these tests are being used in the refinement of technology and the
feedback is also used for the betterment of next phase of testing. National Space Research Institute of Brazil ( Inpe ) ran a
test in São Paulo state. It yielded a positive response. The balloon was able to broad cast an Omni-directional internet
signal from 31 miles away. Google is trying to test all manners of materials subjecting them to temperature resistance,
durability..etc., Small private tests were conducted in California also. These tests are conducted with an urge to add more
sophisticated technologies and to increase the balloons performance.
VII. CONCLUSION
Internet is emerged as the basic need in day to day life. While one part of the world is getting improved in a
tremendous speed with the help of internet connection, about 2/3 of population is not even able to access it. Google tried
to fill this void by the 'Project Loon' and fix the broad band problem. Project loon is one of the biggest idea of Google,.
It acts as a wireless station for an area of about 25 miles in diameter. The technique to bring mobile internet connectivity
to billions of people using balloons may sounds crazy but it might work. Google states that "It is highly experimental
technology we have long way to go". This innovative attempt made by the Google to provide connection to rural areas
and remote regions that deserve internet connection is an inspiring effort. The launch of 'Project Loon' made balloons too
an option to provide internet access everywhere that too in a cost effective manner.