Described herein are features for high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) balloon antenna systems and associated methods. One or more long wire communications antennas may be built into the balloon skin. The antenna may extend under, in, on or otherwise along one of the seams formed by connected edges of gores that define the balloon volume. The antenna may include an elongated electrical conductor with a length based on a desired communication frequency. The antenna may be secured with load tape along the seam. The antenna may be included in an LTA balloon system that includes multiple balloons connected in tandem, such as a zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) and one or more variable air ballast super-pressure balloons (SPB).

A method and an antenna system are provided for a high-altitude platform (HAP) configured to move in a pattern in the stratosphere to provide coverage to a region of interest and compensate for HAP movement relative to the region of interest. HAP movement is monitored. When it is determined that the HAP has moved relative to the region of interest and, based on the relative movement, a first one of a plurality of antennas in the HAP is no longer able to cover a selected portion of the region of interest, an antenna array switching circuit in the HAP is used to adjust beams transmitted by the antennas by switching to a second one of the plurality of antennas to cover the selected portion of the region of interest, such that the communication services provided to the region of interest are not interrupted due to the movement of the HAP.

A method and an antenna system are provided for a high-altitude platform (HAP) configured to move in a pattern in the stratosphere to provide coverage to a region of interest and compensate for HAP movement relative to the region of interest. HAP movement is monitored. When it is determined that the HAP has moved relative to the region of interest and, based on the relative movement, a first one of a plurality of antennas in the HAP is no longer able to cover a selected portion of the region of interest, an antenna array switching circuit in the HAP is used to adjust beams transmitted by the antennas by switching to a second one of the plurality of antennas to cover the selected portion of the region of interest, such that the communication services provided to the region of interest are not interrupted due to the movement of the HAP.

A radio frequency transparent photovoltaic cell includes a back contact layer formed of an electrically conductive material, at least one aperture formed in the back contact layer, and at least one photovoltaic cell section disposed on the back contact layer. An airship includes one or more radio frequency antennas disposed in an interior of the airship. One or more radio frequency transparent photovoltaic cells are disposed on an outer surface of the airship.

A radio frequency transparent photovoltaic cell includes a back contact layer formed of an electrically conductive material, at least one aperture formed in the back contact layer, and at least one photovoltaic cell section disposed on the back contact layer. An airship includes one or more radio frequency antennas disposed in an interior of the airship. One or more radio frequency transparent photovoltaic cells are disposed on an outer surface of the airship.

Systems and methods for providing temporary cell coverage using lighter than air reflectors. The system can include a balloon or airship (e.g., a blimp) with a reflective lower surface. A ground-based source antenna can be aimed at the balloon to bounce cellular, or other communications, signals off the balloon and then back to the ground. The system can provide additional wireless coverage and bandwidth in remote locations and/or areas of high demand. The coverage area of the system can be adjusted by changing the shape of the bottom surface of the balloon. The coverage area of the system can also be adjusted by changing the height of the balloon above the source antenna. A dedicated source antenna and balloon can also serve as a microwave backhaul antenna system for a temporary cell site, using a balloon with a reflective surface shaped to collimate the radio link in a desired direction.

Concentric shapes (e.g., discs and rings), are nested and displaced from a central plate. The discs are individually positioned by means of mechanical or electro-mechanical actuators such that the over-all result approximates a spherical surface reflector antenna having an adjustable radius of curvature, with the radii of curvature being equivalent to the focal length of the antenna. Another innovation includes reducing the dimensional positioning of the various discs by a modulo of the wavelength of the operating frequency of the antenna, thus reducing the throw accommodation of the actuators to only one wavelength. Each of the discs and the central plate are designed to have substantially the same area, as a nominal configuration. The accuracy of the approximation is improved as the number of discs is increased; however, very acceptable performance is obtained with as few as ten discs when compared to a perfect spherical surface.

A radio frequency transparent photovoltaic cell includes a back contact layer formed of an electrically conductive material, at least one aperture formed in the back contact layer, and at least one photovoltaic cell section disposed on the back contact layer. An airship includes one or more radio frequency antennas disposed in an interior of the airship. One or more radio frequency transparent photovoltaic cells are disposed on an outer surface of the airship.

A radio frequency transparent photovoltaic cell includes a back contact layer formed of an electrically conductive material, at least one aperture formed in the back contact layer, and at least one photovoltaic cell section disposed on the back contact layer. An airship includes one or more radio frequency antennas disposed in an interior of the airship. One or more radio frequency transparent photovoltaic cells are disposed on an outer surface of the airship.

A radio frequency transparent photovoltaic cell includes a back contact layer formed of an electrically conductive material, at least one aperture formed in the back contact layer, and at least one photovoltaic cell section disposed on the back contact layer. An airship includes one or more radio frequency antennas disposed in an interior of the airship. One or more radio frequency transparent photovoltaic cells are disposed on an outer surface of the airship.