Propagation measurements in a wide range of elevation angles using a remote-controlled airship.

Using a remote-controlled airship (Fig. 1) to simulate a satellite, high altitude platform (HAP) or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is very advantageous when corresponding propagation channels are to be addressed. For example, in case of building penetration loss or vegetation attenuation measurements for high elevation angles, the use of an unmanned airship can dramatically reduce the costs of the measurement campaign while providing almost equal measurement possibilities compared to the case when e.g. a helicopter or an aircraft is used as a pseudo-satellite. However, one significant constraint is given simply by the weather conditions as the airship cannot be operated under rainy, snowy, foggy or windy conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]