RF Command and Ranging System for Balloon Flight Applications.

• Main Authors: Rosenberg,T J, Lebert,F J
• Other Authors: MARYLAND UNIV COLLEGE PARK INST FOR PHYSICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1981
• Subjects: Lighter-than-air Aircraft; Direction Finding; *DIRECTION FINDING; *COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEMS; *RANGE FINDING; *REMOTE CONTROL; *BALLOONS; FLIGHT TESTING; MILITARY FACILITIES; FLIGHT; SELF CONTAINED; NEW MEXICO; RADIOFREQUENCY; SLANT RANGE; CARRIER FREQUENCIES; ANTARCTIC REGIONS; RADIO STATIONS; SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATIONS; SIMPLEX METHOD; PE61153N; WUNR211220; Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA100688; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA100688

This paper describes a radio frequency (RF) command and ranging system developed to provide the scientific balloon community and other users with a versatile, self-contained system for remote control applications. Emphasis has been placed on limiting the weight, size, and cost of the remote unit in order to make the system economical in applications where recovery is not practical. The design incorporates several unique features which allow for expanding the degree of sophistication obtainable in balloon command and control. Upon command, the base station transmits a self-clocking, pulse code modulated signal and receives a status signal reply from the remote unit. The base station and remote unit operate in simplex mode utilizing the same carrier frequency for both transmission and reception. The system provides slant range accurate of + or - 3 nautical miles, command and status of 15 independent channels, and flight termination control. Successful flight tests have been performed in New Mexico and Antarctica. (Author) Prepared in cooperation with DACOM Corp., Arnold, MD.