Relative positioning of balloons with altitude control and wind data

摘要

The positions of balloons in a communication network of balloons, such as a mesh network of high-altitude balloons, may be adjusted relative to one another in order to try to maintain a desired network topology. In one approach, the position of each balloon may be adjusted relative to one or more neighbor balloons. For example, the locations of a target balloon and one or more neighbor balloons may be determined. A desired movement of the target balloon may then be determined based on the locations of the one or more neighbor balloons relative to the location of the target balloon. The target balloon may be controlled based on the desired movement. In some embodiments, the altitude of the target balloon may be controlled in order to expose the target balloon to ambient winds that are capable of producing the desired movement of the target balloon.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
determining a location of a target balloon; determining locations of one or more neighbor balloons relative to the determined location of the target balloon, wherein the target balloon comprises a communication system that is operable for data communication with at least one of the one or more neighbor balloons; determining a desired movement of the target balloon based on the determined locations of the one or more neighbor balloons relative to the determined location of the target balloon, wherein the desired movement of the target balloon comprises a desired horizontal movement of the target balloon; and controlling the target balloon based on the desired movement of the target balloon, wherein controlling the target balloon based on the desired movement of the target balloon comprises controlling an altitude of the target balloon based on the desired horizontal movement of the target balloon.