Facebook company introduced its Internet-solar-powered UAV

Company Facebook продолжает gradually implement your project to create drones that provide access to a network of residents remote regions. Now one such drone (test a working model) was shown by representatives of the project. UAV called Aquila, this device is able to stay in the air for a long time, doing the work for a long time.

Lightweight device, weighing about 450 kilograms. With a full load, the UAV can stay aloft for about 90 days, providing the inhabitants of the region, over which the drone, with a height of 20-27 km. This means that the devices Aquila will be much higher than commercial flights plus not depend on the weather, on a constant height of the weather conditions.



How it works: Facebook provides the laser system on the ground that detects the UAV, directing laser optical head dome. This "eye" is at the bottom Aquila, at the head of the system. The device, after receiving the laser signal, clarifies its position, and launches telecommunications equipment. It all depends on the laser, so that a cloudy day (and even more so in the rain), the bandwidth of the channel is reduced.

It is worth noting that now the record of continuous location of the aircraft in the air is about two weeks. And three months in Aquila in the air - this is a significant achievement.

UAV housing consists of two layers of carbon fiber, which is wrapped in a solid foam. At night, to conserve power, the unit will be reduced to a height of about 17 km. The bandwidth will then be a constant (in the absence of a dense cloud cover). The capacity of the laser data transmission system - 10 gigabits per second.



Facebook plans to launch in the air a fleet of UAVs, providing Internet connectivity to remote areas inaccessible.

Source: geektimes.ru/post/259650/