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.
2
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
3
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.
4
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.
5
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).
6
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.
7
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.
8
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.
9
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.
10
Device from ground
Users on the ground need to
connect to specialised antenna,
which communicate with the
balloons. (about 20MB/s).
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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.
12
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.
13
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.
14
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.
15
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
16
Questions
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