Systems and methods for using different beam widths for communications between balloons

摘要

Example methods and systems for using radio frequency (RF) signals with different beam widths for purposes of balloon-to-balloon communication are described. One example method includes determining a vertical angle between a first balloon and a second balloon, if the vertical angle is below a threshold angle, communicating with the second balloon using a narrow beam RF signal from a communication system of the first balloon, and if the vertical angle is not below the threshold angle, communicating with the second balloon using a wide beam RF signal from the communication system of the first balloon.

主权项

1. A balloon, comprising:
an RF communication system configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals at a plurality of different beam widths, wherein the plurality of different beam widths comprise at least three different beam widths; and a control system configured to:
determine a vertical angle between the balloon and a second balloon;determine a corresponding angle range for each beam width of the plurality of different beam widths by determining at least three non-overlapping angle ranges;select a beam width from the plurality of different beam widths such that the vertical angle is within the corresponding angle range for the selected beam width; andcommunicate with the second balloon by transmitting an RF signal with the selected beam width from the RF communication system of the balloon.