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  • Google cracks open Project Loon's antennas, explains balloon delivered internet (video)

    by 
    Timothy J. Seppala
    Timothy J. Seppala
    10.19.2013

    Google has done an admirable job of demystifying Project Loon (that ambitious broadband-via-atmospheric-balloon initiative), but its latest video takes it a step further: tearing apart one of its blimp-tracking antennas and explaining how it works. Every unit houses a radio, what Google is calling "radiating elements" and a disc-shaped reflector. This reflector has to be circular to boost the antenna's off-angle sensitivity, which enables the receiver to maintain an even signal with Project Loon's drifting internet-carriers. Now that the search giant has proven its concept works, it's focusing on improving performance for the next round of hardware.