  A common challenge in many experiments in high-energy astroparticle physics
is the need for sparse instrumentation in areas of 100 km2 and above, often in
remote and harsh environments. All these arrays have similar requirements for
read-out and communication, power generation and distribution, and
synchronization. Within the TAXI project we are developing a transportable,
modular four-station test-array that allows us to study different approaches to
solve the aforementioned problems in the laboratory and in the field.
Well-defined interfaces will provide easy interchange of the components to be
tested and easy transport and setup will allow in-situ testing at different
sites. Every station consists of three well-understood 1 m2 scintillation
detectors with nanosecond time resolution, which provide an air shower trigger.
An additional sensor, currently a radio antenna for air shower detection in the
100 MHz band, is connected for testing and calibration purposes. We introduce
the TAXI project and report the status and performance of the first TAXI
station deployed at the Zeuthen site of DESY.
