To push the project forward, Google has leased a 15,000 sq. ft. hangar from Virgin Galactic, specifically the so-called “Gateway to Space” terminal.
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Google has also installed a dedicated flight control center near Spaceflight Operations Center. These high frequency millimetre waves can transmit data 40 times faster than 4G systems. Both Starry and Google are reportedly experimenting with delivering Internet connectivity wirelessly at speeds traditionally found in fiber optic wired connections, above 1Gbps (or tens of times faster than the Internet speeds of the average wired broadband connection). The technology is being tested using drones made by Google Titan, a division formed when Mountain View bought Albuquerque firm Titan Aerospace in April 2014. Nevertheless, it’s good to see Google already working towards supporting the 5G standard in an interesting drone-based form.
According to Jacques Rudell, an electrical engineering professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, who spoke with the Guardian, this could be advantageous to mobile users.
Data transmission using millimeter wave technology is getting a lot of press lately. According to The Guardian, beaming the 5G connection from the sky could solve the transmission issue. Skybender is the name of the top-secret project, which is not that secret anymore. The tech giant will have exclusive access to the Spaceport’s runway during testing and will venture above the White Sands Missile Range.
Google is pushing forward in the race to deliver universal Internet access, testing solar-powered drones capable of beaming high-speed Internet back to Earth. These millimeter wave transceivers are accompanied by a repeater tower and other installations spread out all over the Spaceport. Google needs to ensure “focused transmissions”, which are hard and energy-consuming, says the report.
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Google Titan. Credit: Engadget ” The huge advantage of millimeter wave is access to new spectrum because the existing cellphone spectrum is overcrowded. Google team has been working on the project for past few months. Google too has toyed with the technology in the past under its Project Titan programme, as well as looking into weather balloons that carry WiFi signal. The company has a deal with the FCC to continue testing until July, according to The Guardian.
