UK telecoms company BT is testing a powerful new antenna technology that, once mounted on ahigh-altitude platform station (HAPS) drone, is expected to provide 4G and 5G services of up to 150 Mbps over areas as large as 15,000 square kilometers.

英國通信公司BT正在測試一個強有力的新型天線技術(shù)，該技術(shù)一旦安裝在高空平臺站（HAPS）無人機，預計將在15，000平方公里的區(qū)域內(nèi)提供高達150 Mbps的4G和5G服務(wù)。

BT saidit will soon begin trials using an antenna made by tech partner Stratospheric Platforms Ltd. (SPL), which is specifically designed for operation from HAPS drones flown at altitudes of around 20 km. The aerials transmit 4G and 5G signals through 500 beams that are individually directed to provide robust connectivity to areas as wide as 140 km.  

該公司表示他們很快會開始使用由技術(shù)伙伴平流層平臺有限公司(SPL)制作的天線進行試點，專為飛行于海拔約20千米的HAPS無人機運營設(shè)計。天線通過 500 個波束傳輸 4G 和 5G 信號，這些波束單獨定向，為寬達 140 公里的區(qū)域提供強大連接。

Initial tests will be held in BT’s research and development center using very tall ground structures in simulated deployment of the tech. The telecon hopes its terrestrial dry runs will open the way for the major advantages it believes the system will offer from on high. 

最初的測試會在BT的研究開發(fā)中心進行，在模擬部署技術(shù)時使用非常高的地面結(jié)構(gòu)。該通信公司希望其地面試運行能夠初步驗證該系統(tǒng)在高處所能帶來的主要優(yōu)勢。

For starters, in functioning fromHAPS drones, the SPL antenna should allow BT to provide reliable and powerful 5G connectivity to large areas difficult to cover by ground assets, and which are now served using much more expensive satellites. That, the company said, will facilitate affordable uses in transport, maritime security, search and rescue missions, and other activities in remote spaces where mobile phone operation is often spotty at best. 

首先，在運行HAPS無人機時， SPL天線讓BT能夠為難以由地面資產(chǎn)覆蓋的大面積區(qū)域提供可靠且強有力的5G連接，以及那些現(xiàn)在正使用更昂貴的衛(wèi)星運作的區(qū)域。該公司表示，這將促進偏遠地區(qū)運輸、海上安全、搜救任務(wù)以及其他活動的進行。在這些地方，移動電話操作通常是難以實現(xiàn)的。

once deployed, the SPL aerial should also enable greater flexibility of deployment. BT notes that becauseHAPS drones remain at work for many months, even years before needing to descend for servicing, they offer similar operational consistency as satellites. But unlike those permanent space orbiters, stratospheric UAVs can be launched and used at lower costs, then recovered once they return to earth for redeployment when needed. 

SPL天線一旦進行部署也能促進部署的靈活性。BT指出因為HAPS無人機已經(jīng)運作了許久，甚至在性能衰退到需要維修的地步，它們也能提供與衛(wèi)星相似的操作一致性。但是不像那些永久的太空軌道飛行器，平流層無人機以較低的成本上市并投入使用，然后在它們返回地球后在需要時重新部署。

Tim Whitley, BT Group’s managing director of research and network strategy, says successful testing of the SPL antenna and eventual use from a HAPS drone will provide fast 5G service at reduced costs over areas that would normally require 450 terrestrial masts to cover. 

BT集團研究和網(wǎng)絡(luò)策略管理執(zhí)行Tim Whitley表示，SPL天線的成功測試以及HAPS無人機的使用在通常需要450個陸地桅桿才能覆蓋的區(qū)域以較低的成本提供快速的5G服務(wù)。

“We’re delighted to be partnering with SPL to start realizing the huge potential of HAPS aircraft to further strengthen our UK 4G and 5G network technology leadership,” Whitely said. “This highly innovative and transformative project has the potential to further enhance our UK 4G and 5G footprint, which is already the largest and most reliable in the UK, to connect unserved rural areas and enable exciting new use cases for private users.” 

他還說道，“我們很高興與SPL合作開始實現(xiàn)HAPS無人機的強大潛力，進一步鞏固英國4G和5G網(wǎng)絡(luò)技術(shù)的領(lǐng)導地位。這一高創(chuàng)新性和變革性的項目有可能會進一步增強英國4G和5G網(wǎng)絡(luò)足跡，這在英國已經(jīng)是最大且最可靠的網(wǎng)絡(luò)，連接不在服務(wù)區(qū)的鄉(xiāng)村地區(qū)并實現(xiàn)私人用戶的新用例。”