Computer control of a barry research chirpsounder

• Main Author: Evans, Geoffrey Philip
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Rhodes University 1985
• Subjects: Antarctic; SANAE; The Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007495; https://corycommons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:5507

This thesis describes the design and development of a computer-based controller together with additional hardware that greatly extends the capabilities of a Barry Research VOS-1 Chirpsounder. The measurement of the virtual height of the ionosphere as a function of frequency using pulse- and frequency-modulated carrier wave (FMCW techniques is described and the concept of the so called "digital" ionosonde is introduced. The modifications required for the standard Chirpsounder to perform as a versatile digital chirp ionosonde are discussed. Simplified block diagrams are used to describe the Controller hardware which is fully described in two comprehensive service manuals which have been included as appendices. Important aspects of the Controller software and data storage formats are described in detail. The emphasis is then placed on system capabilities. An operators' software manual which describes system initialization and operation in terms of system commands is included as an appendix. Results of tests at both Grahamstown, South Africa , and at the SANAE base in the Antarctic are presented.