Balloon Clumping to Provide Bandwidth Requested in Advance

Abstract

Methods and systems disclosed herein relate to determining a projected change in bandwidth demand in a specified area during a specified future time period, repositioning one or more balloons in a high-altitude balloon network based on the projected change in bandwidth demand, and providing, using the one or more balloons, at least a portion of the bandwidth demanded in the specified area during the specified future time period.

1 . A method comprising:
 identifying an advanced bandwidth request associated with one or more contingencies related to an emergent condition;   determining, by one or more processors, that the emergent condition has occurred at a location;   in response to determining that the emergent condition has occurred, causing, by the one or more processors, one or more balloons of a plurality of balloons to move into airspace over the location; and   causing, by the one or more processors, the one or more balloons to provide bandwidth in the location.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the advanced bandwidth request is further associated with a potential for reduced capability of fixed communications equipment. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the emergent condition is a natural disaster. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the natural disaster includes one of a fire, earthquake, or flood. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the advanced bandwidth request is associated with the location. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the location is initially an unknown location. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, in response to determining that the emergent condition has occurred, automatically determining a projected change in bandwidth demand for the location, and wherein causing the one or more balloons to provide bandwidth is further based on the projected change. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining that the emergent condition has occurred is based on information from a news organization. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining that the emergent condition has occurred is based on information from a social media source. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein causing the one or more balloons to provide bandwidth includes providing bandwidth to a specified group of users. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein causing the one or more balloons to provide bandwidth includes providing bandwidth to only the specified group of users. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the specific group of users are emergency service personnel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the specific group of users are news organization personnel. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a priority level is based on a level of service for users of the bandwidth. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the advance request further identifies an anticipated bandwidth need when the emergent condition occurs. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising receiving the advance request for bandwidth from a target user, and wherein causing the one or more balloons to provide the bandwidth includes providing bandwidth to at least the target user in the location. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing bandwidth includes controlling a balloon network density over the location. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein controlling the balloon network density includes increasing the balloon network density over the predetermined area based at least on the future bandwidth demand. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, after providing the bandwidth repositioning the one or more balloons to a previous coverage arrangement. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein causing the one or more balloons to provide bandwidth includes causing the one or more balloons to provide bandwidth from outside the location.