Network Architectures Exploiting Multiple HAP Constellations for Load Balancing

In this paper, the authors addresses network architectures in a constellation of High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) with overlapping coverage areas, focusing on the additional network elements/functionalities required to make use of load balancing mechanisms. According to the location within the network and the complexity of additional equipment/ functionality the paper proposes two different architectures. In the case of the basic utilization of multiple HAPs a new equipment/functionality is installed only at the user premises, supporting load balancing only for the connections initialized from the HAP user network to the Internet (i.e. the outbound connections). In the case of advanced utilization of multiple HAPs a new equipment/functionality is needed both at the user premises and in the HAP network, thus supporting load balancing in both directions.