Taiwan has further enhanced its emergency communications response capabilities - TTC showcases technology for High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS)
The Telecom Technology Center (TTC) developed a high-altitude communication platform under the guidance of the Ministry of Digital Affairs(moda). Today, on the 24th, TTC held a HAPS Test and Demonstration at Luye Highlands in Taitung County to showcase the capabilities of communications facilitated by high-altitude balloons. The equipment demonstrated its application in restoring signals in disaster areas, highlighting Taiwan's strong foundation in digital infrastructure, agile emergency response capabilities, and innovative technologies.
Huang Yen-nun, the Minister of Digital Affairs, personally hosted the test and demonstration, which showcased Taiwan's impressive achievements in the innovative application of communication technologies. Representatives from government ministries, industry leaders, and distinguished guests from academia attended the event. In his speech, Minister Huang praised the efforts of the TTC technical team and various partners in rapidly deploying emergency communications on HAPS. He emphasized that this technological breakthrough will significantly enhance Taiwan's ability to adapt to infrastructure damage during natural disasters and major events.
HAPS technologies primarily utilize balloons or drones to deliver communication signals from elevated altitudes. TTC collaborated with telecom operators and research departments to overcome previous technical limitations and showcased a high-altitude communication platform that employs independent energy devices to minimize energy consumption. Low-emission hydrogen fuel cells provide stable power, enabling the platform to remain airborne for over 14 days. The platform has a load capacity of 50 kilograms and can carry various advanced communication equipment, enhancing its flexibility for different usage scenarios. It can also establish a ground network with a radius of 11 kilometers from an altitude of 800 meters, covering an area larger than the entire city of Taipei.
Even if disasters damage ground communication facilities, this HAPS can still provide stable communication services over a wide area. It improves recovery efficiency during disasters, assists post-disaster rescue, and enhances public safety. In the future, this HAPS technology can be utilized to fulfill network coverage needs in remote areas, bridge the digital divide, and help disseminate communication services throughout Taiwan.
The test and demonstration highlighted an application of the HAPS in a drill where a major natural disaster caused regional network interruptions, preventing people in the affected area from contacting the outside world. In this situation, the HAPS provided temporary signals, enabling trapped individuals to call emergency numbers for help. Additionally, disaster relief personnel can utilize the platform to connect with drones for search and rescue operations. These drones can send back real-time images to help assess where people may be trapped and evaluate the condition of road structures, helping disaster relief teams to analyze the on-ground situation effectively and in real-time. The on-site guests could fully experience the immediate benefits of the HAPS.
The test and demonstration received significant recognition from the guests. Looking ahead, with the support of the Ministry of Digital Affairs, TTC plans to leverage professional communication technologies to advance innovative high-altitude communication solutions. This initiative aims to assist the government in enhancing the national network's resilience and ensuring residents' public safety.
