Relative Positioning of Balloons with Altitude Control and Wind Data

Abstract

The positions of balloons in a communication network of balloons, such as a mesh network of high-altitude balloons, may be adjusted relative to one another in order to try to maintain a desired network topology. In one approach, the position of each balloon may be adjusted relative to one or more neighbor balloons. For example, the locations of a target balloon and one or more neighbor balloons may be determined. A desired movement of the target balloon may then be determined based on the locations of the one or more neighbor balloons relative to the location of the target balloon. The target balloon may be controlled based on the desired movement. In some embodiments, the altitude of the target balloon may be controlled in order to expose the target balloon to ambient winds that are capable of producing the desired movement of the target balloon.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 identifying a plurality of goodness factors for a given balloon in a high-altitude balloon network;   determining a plurality of goodness scores for the given balloon, wherein each goodness score relates to a respective goodness factor in the plurality of goodness factors;   determining a current overall goodness for the given balloon as a function of the plurality of goodness scores for the given balloon;   identifying a plurality of actions that could be taken by the given balloon;   determining, for each action, a respective overall goodness resulting from that action;   selecting, from among the plurality of actions, an action that results in an overall goodness that is higher than the current overall goodness; and   controlling the given balloon to undertake the selected action.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of goodness factors includes at least one goodness factor that relates to a distance between the given balloon and a neighbor balloon in the high-altitude balloon network. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of goodness factors includes at least one goodness factor that relates to a ground position of the given balloon. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of goodness factors includes at least one goodness factor that relates to an altitude of the given balloon. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selected action comprises a movement of the given balloon. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the movement of the given balloon comprises movement of the given balloon in a horizontal direction. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the movement of the given balloon comprises movement of the given balloon in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selected action results in the highest overall goodness from among the plurality of actions.