Improving the system capacity of mm-wave broadband services using multiple high altitude platforms

An investigation is performed into the capacity enhancements achievable from deploying multiple high altitude platforms (HAPs) arranged in different constellations but sharing common frequency bands and serving the same coverage area. Single and multiple cell configurations per HAP are examined. It is shown how overall system capacity may be increased, largely commensurate with the number of extra platforms deployed. This enhanced spectrum utilisation relies upon the fixed users employing a sufficiently directive antenna, pointing to HAPs located in different parts of the sky. Such deployments allow services to be offered to a significantly increased user population density, and facilitate incremental service roll-out.