HAP Networks for the Future: Applications in Sensing, Computing, and Communication

2026-02-19

AI Summary

This study addresses the multifaceted challenges confronting High-Altitude Platform (HAP) systems in non-terrestrial networks, including data processing limitations, resource constraints, network performance, economic viability, and regulatory hurdles. For the first time, it systematically integrates HAP applications across three domains—communications, sensing, and edge computing—and proposes a cross-dimensional协同 perspective to holistically evaluate their current technological status and bottlenecks in wireless communication, network architecture, and spectrum policy through comprehensive literature review and systematic analysis. The work underscores HAPs’ potential as a pivotal bridge in next-generation communication systems and identifies key research directions essential for enabling their global deployment, thereby providing a theoretical foundation and technical roadmap for future engineering implementation and standardization efforts.

Technology Category

• Application Domains: Internet of Things, Sensor Networks & Smart Cities
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Optimization of Spatio-temporal Systems
• Multiagent Systems: Applications

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web applications in cross-disciplinary domains and verticals such as mixed reality, smart cities, and digital health
• Social Networks and Social Media: Applications and emergent phenomena
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Economics and fairness of platforms and recommendation systems

Abstract

High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) are a major advancement in non-terrestrial networks, offering broad coverage and unique capabilities. They form a vital link between satellite systems and terrestrial networks and play a key role in next-generation communication technologies. This study reviews HAP network applications, focusing on advanced airborne communications, integrated sensing, and airborne informatics. Our survey assesses the current state of HAP-centric applications by examining data processing, network performance, computational and storage requirements, economic feasibility, and regulatory challenges. The analysis highlights the evolving role of HAPs in global communication and identifies future research directions to support their deployment.

Problem

• High Altitude Platforms
• non-terrestrial networks
• airborne communications
• integrated sensing
• regulatory challenges

Innovation

• High Altitude Platforms
• Integrated Sensing
• Airborne Informatics
• Non-terrestrial Networks
• Next-generation Communication