HAPSMobile and SoftBank Corp. Global Standardization Contributions to ITU-R’s “HAPS Radiowave Propagation Prediction Method” Receive Award From Japan’s Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB)

HAPSMobile Inc. (“HAPSMobile”) today announced that its contributions—promoted jointly with its parent company SoftBank Corp. (“SoftBank”)—to ITU-R’s “HAPS Radiowave Propagation Prediction Method” Global Standard, announced on October 27, 2021, received an award from Japan’s Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (“ARIB”). At the 33rd Radio Achievement Awards ceremony held on June 28, 2022, SoftBank received the Award of the Chairman of the Board of ARIB on behalf of both companies.

The Radio Achievement Awards recognize people who have achieved groundbreaking and concrete results in research and development for the effective use of radiowaves. The Awards also recognize those who have contributed to the practical application of new and effective radiowave utilization systems.

With its parent company SoftBank, HAPSMobile developed a new global model that can estimate radiowave interference at high altitudes and enable the design of network area coverage for High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) stratospheric-based wireless communication systems. The new model was added as a part of a revision to the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R^*1)’s “HAPS Radiowave Propagation Prediction Method” and published in Recommendation ITU-R P.1409-2^*2.

To develop a “Radiowave Propagation Prediction Method” for HAPS, “Radiowave Propagation Measurements” were made in simulated stratospheric environments and global stratospheric environments. A highly accurate “Radiowave Propagation Prediction Method” was developed based on an analysis of these measurement results. With its publication in an ITU-R Recommendation and its contribution to the global adoption of HAPS, the Method’s effective use of radiowaves was highly evaluated by ARIB.

To bridge the digital divide and realize a society where everyone is connected to ubiquitous and stable networks, SoftBank and HAPSMobile will continue to advance HAPS research and business preparations.

• *1ITU-R is the radiocommunication sector of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a United Nations agency. ITU-R coordinates radiocommunication global standard and global spectrum management. ITU-R has various Study Groups (SGs) that make Recommendations.
• *2The 2012 “HAPS Radiowave Propagation Prediction Method” global standard was added to and revised, and published in October 2021 as Recommendation ITU-R P.1409-2.