Experiment of IMT-2000 using stratospheric-flying solar-powered airplane

In June and July 2002, we conducted the world's first experiments on digital TV broadcasting and third-generation mobile communications system (IMT-2000) by radio-relay at an altitude of 20 km using unmanned stratospheric-flying solar-powered aircraft. These experiments demonstrated that future broadcasting/telecom systems by high altitude platform station (HAPS) are feasible and useful. This paper describes the experimental and analytical results of the IMT-2000 experiment.