Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of operating a communication network. The method includes receiving input data related to a state of the communication network and operation of the communication network. The method then includes determining a policy for the communication network based on the input data. The policy is a set of features for forming a plurality of communication links in the communication network over a time interval. The plurality of communication links provides one or more paths through the communication network. Determining the policy is based at least in part on utility values of previous policies. The utility values of previous policies are derived using simulation and/or real-world implementation of the previous policies. The communication network is then operated to implement the policy in the time interval.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing power of an aerial vehicle, an illustrative system including an aerial vehicle including a power storage module and at least one component, and a computing device communicatively coupled to the aerial vehicle, the computing device including a processor and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to receive data indicating a state of charge of the power storage module, receive data indicating a rate of power consumption of the at least one component, generate, based on at least one of the state of charge of the power storage module or the rate of power consumption of the at least one component, a power command to switch the at least one component to a power-saving state, and transmit the power command to the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: An assembly for manufacturing a balloon envelope includes a table component and a sealing component. The table component may include a first platform, a second platform, a third platform, and a lateral opening between the first and second platforms. The first and second platforms can receive a first sheet of material that forms a first gore of the balloon envelope and a second sheet of material that forms a second gore of the balloon envelope. At least a portion of the first platform may move relative to the third platform so as to allow for the tendon and the portion of the second sheet attached to the tendon to move toward the third platform. The sealing component may be configured to bond the first sheet to the second sheet in order to join the first and the second gores of the balloon envelope.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to terminating flight of a balloon that may include separating a connection between a balloon envelope and a payload of the balloon. In one example, a payload separation apparatus includes a first shaft configured to attach to the envelope, a second shaft configured to attach to the payload, a pair of arms, and a bracket arranged to secure the pair of arms to the first shaft. In another example, a system includes a flight termination assembly having a cutting edge configured to cut an opening in the envelope and a payload separation apparatus. The apparatus includes a first shaft configured to attach to the envelope, a second shaft configured to attach to the payload, a pair of arms, and a bracket configured to secure the pair of arms to the first shaft. The system also includes a controller configured to activate the cutting edge.

Abstract: A fixed housing that is configured to be coupled to a balloon envelope and an impeller housing disposed within the fixed housing, wherein the impeller housing and the fixed housing form a seal in a closed position, wherein the impeller housing is moveable into the balloon envelope relative to the fixed housing in an open position, and wherein the impeller housing defines an unobstructed airflow passageway between an internal chamber in a balloon envelope and the atmosphere in the open position.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for controlling an aerial vehicle. An exemplary method may include receiving data indicating a location and an altitude of the aerial vehicle, receiving data indicating a destination of the aerial vehicle, receiving prevailing wind pattern data regarding winds at the location and altitude of the aerial vehicle, determining that the aerial vehicle is within a predetermined distance of the destination, determining a speed at which the aerial vehicle is moving, and causing the aerial vehicle to adjust the altitude of the aerial vehicle based on the prevailing wind pattern data and the determined speed.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for controlling an aerial vehicle. An exemplary method may include receiving data indicating a location and an altitude of the aerial vehicle, receiving data indicating a destination of the aerial vehicle, determining a vector from the location of the aerial vehicle to the destination of the aerial vehicle, receiving prevailing wind pattern data regarding winds at the location and altitude of the aerial vehicle, planning a path for the aerial vehicle to move along the vector based on the prevailing wind pattern data, and causing the aerial vehicle to adjust the altitude of the aerial vehicle based on the prevailing wind pattern data and the planned path.

Abstract: A method for planning a high altitude platform-based communication network includes aggregating data from at least one data source, wherein the data includes environmental data. Based on the aggregated data, a plurality of network expansion potential scores are computed according to geographic location. A visual output is generated based on the computed plurality of network expansion potential scores.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a system that includes a network controller configured to determine a network configuration of a network and cause the network to implement the network configuration. The network controller may be configured to determine that an overall link bandwidth for a particular geographic area is less than a set bandwidth amount based on link bandwidth information for possible links directly connected to the particular geographic area. Based on a difference between the overall link bandwidth and the set bandwidth amount, the network controller may be configured to determine additional links to connect to the particular geographic area in a given network configuration of the network. The network controller may then send instructions to the plurality of nodes of the network to cause the plurality of nodes to implement the given network configuration and transmit client data at the given point in time.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to manufacturing balloon envelopes for use in high-altitude mesh networks for packet-data communications. As an example, a gore portion may be placed on a table such that the gore portion overlies a groove within the table. A tendon may be placed on the gore portion and within the groove. A portion of tubing may be placed over the tendon. The tubing may have one or more surface openings. Restraining tape is applied over the one or more surface openings in the tubing. A constant force roller is applied to secure the tendon to the gore portion and to secure the tendon to the tubing. As an alternative or in addition to the surface openings, double-sided restraining tape may be placed between the tendon and the tubing. The tubing and restraining tape may prevent undesired lateral and longitudinal movement of the tendon during deployment.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a system that includes a network controller. The network controller is configured to receive information from nodes of a network, where nodes include one node that is in motion relative to another node. The network controller is also configured to generate a table representing nodes, available storage at each node, and possible links in the network over a period of time based on the information, and determine a series of topologies of the network based on the table. Based on received client data including a data amount, the network controller is configured to determine flows for the topology. The network controller then is configured to generate a schedule of network configurations based on the flows, and send instructions to the nodes of the network for implementing the network configurations and transmitting client data.

Abstract: A portable launch rig (PLR) may include a support structure including two side supports defining an interior space for lifting and filling a balloon envelope of a balloon. Wheels on each of the side supports enable the PLR to be moved in various directions in order to prepare the PLR for launching the balloon. The side supports are connected by a lateral support beam having a pair of cranes arranged thereon. Each crane has an arm arranged over the interior space that is connected to a spreader beam. The spreader beam includes a lift assembly configured to lift and inflate the balloon envelope within the interior space. The PLR includes a platform and perch for supporting and moving the balloon envelope. A door assembly of the PLR includes a plurality of hangar doors configured to block wind from a respective direction of each hangar door entering the interior space.

Abstract: An example system includes a battery, a controllable heating element arranged to heat the battery, a load coupled to the battery, and a controller configured to: determine a current temperature of the battery; determine a SOC of the battery; based on the current temperature of the battery, select a setpoint profile from a plurality of setpoint profiles for the battery, where each of the plurality of setpoint profiles has a temperature association, and where each of the plurality of profiles comprises one or more temperature setpoints; based on a comparison of the current SOC and a SOC of the selected setpoint profile, determine a current temperature setpoint from the one or more temperature setpoints of the selected setpoint profile; and in response to determining the current temperature setpoint of the battery, cause the current temperature of the battery to adjust according to the current temperature setpoint of the battery.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein that may help to provide location-aware caching and/or location-specific service profiles in an aerial-vehicle network. An exemplary method may be carried out by an aerial vehicle that is at a location associated with the first geographic area in an aerial-vehicle network that includes a plurality of defined geographic areas, and may involve: (a) determining that a location-aware cache of an aerial vehicle should be updated with user-data associated with the first geographic area; and (b) in response to determining that the location-aware cache should be updated: (i) sending a location-aware cache-update request; (ii) receiving, as a response to the location-aware cache-update request, user-data that corresponds to the first geographic area; and (iii) storing the user-data that corresponds to the first geographic area in a location-aware cache of the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: Example methods and systems for determining when to launch vehicles into a fleet of autonomous vehicles are described. A method comprises receiving a sequence of coverage requirements for a region over a period of time. The region may be characterized by landmarks and the period of time can be divided into time intervals. The method also includes defining a landmark as a launch site representative of a landmark at which a given vehicle can be added to a plurality of operating vehicles, and determining for a respective landmark, estimated landmarks that can be reached by a vehicle starting from the respective landmark by an end of a time interval. The method also includes based on the sequence of coverage requirements and the estimated landmarks, determining a given launch site and corresponding time interval at which to add the given vehicle to the plurality of operating vehicles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a balloon-based positioning system and method. In one example embodiment, a system includes a group of at least three balloons deployed in the stratosphere and a control system configured for: determining a first set of spatial relationships relating to the group; determining a second set of spatial relationships relating to at least a portion of the group and to a reference point; determining a position of the reference point relative to the earth; using the determined first set, the determined second set, and the determined position of the reference point relative to the earth as a basis for determining a position of a target balloon in the group relative to the earth; and transmitting the determined position of the target balloon relative to the earth.

Abstract: High-altitude balloons and apparatuses for filling such high-altitude balloons are provided. As an example, an apparatus for filling a high-altitude balloon includes a tube extending through envelope material of the balloon is provided. The apparatus also includes a flange connected to a first end of the tube. The flange is connected to an interior surface of the balloon. A fitting is connected to a second end of the tube. The fitting is configured for attachment with an apparatus for filling the balloon with lift gas. In addition, methods of filling high-altitude balloons with lift gas and methods of manufacturing balloons are also provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for transmitter channel calibration are provided. The method includes generating a plurality of calibration signals corresponding to a plurality of transmitter channels, respectively. The plurality of calibration signals are combined with a plurality of data signals, respectively, thereby generating a plurality of combined signals. The plurality of combined signals are propagated through at least portions of the plurality of transmitter channels, respectively. The plurality of calibration signals are extracted from the propagated plurality of combined signals, respectively. At least two signal characteristics of at least two of the extracted plurality of calibration signals are compared. At least one adjustment in gain, phase, or timing for at least one of the transmitter channels is identified based on a result of the comparing. Based on the identified adjustment, a data signal transmitted via the at least one of the plurality of transmitter channels is adjusted.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for transmitter channel calibration are provided. The method includes generating a plurality of calibration signals corresponding to a plurality of transmitter channels, respectively, of a transmitter module. The plurality of calibration signals are propagated through at least portions of the plurality of transmitter channels, respectively. At least two signal characteristics of at least two of the propagated plurality of calibration signals are compared. At least one adjustment in gain, phase, or timing for at least one of the plurality of transmitter channels is identified based on a result of the comparing. Based on the identified adjustment, a data signal transmitted via the at least one of the plurality of transmitter channels is adjusted.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for receiver channel calibration are provided. The method includes generating a plurality of calibration signals corresponding to a plurality of receiver channels, respectively, of a receiver module. The plurality of calibration signals are propagated through at least portions of the plurality of receiver channels, respectively. At least two signal characteristics of at least two of the propagated plurality of calibration signals are compared. At least one adjustment in gain, phase, or timing for at least one of the plurality of receiver channels is identified based on a result of the comparing. Based on the identified adjustment, a data signal received via the at least one of the plurality of receiver channels is adjusted.