Optimum Telemetry for a Meteorological Platform

Abstract

In order to predict the large-scale elements of the atmospheric circulation, measurements must be made on a global scale. One such method of measurement involves the telemetry of meteorological data from balloons floating at a constant level over the earth. The balloons are interrogated and their data relayed through a synchronous satellite to a central ground station. A study, funded by the Environmental Science Services Administration, has been made to determine the optimum electronics, in the sense of low cost, for the interrogation and telemetry systems within the constraints of minimum weight and power. This paper presents the problems of such a system, the approaches to the selection of an optimum system, the system selected, and a discussion of the implementation of the electronics of the selected system.