Fiber-Optic Refractionsonde

Abstract

This report discusses tests of the prototype fiber-optic refractionsonde instrument package to see if it can send meteorological data to the ground. Both 250 micrometer and 500 micrometer buffered fiber-optic cables (FOC) were used for the land-based and at-sea tests. At first, the 500 micrometer FOC was thought to be desirable for use with a reel-type system because of its ruggedness and greater microbending isolation. However, tests showed the wind drag on the 500 micrometer buffered cable rendered it unsatisfactory. On the other hand, the 250 micrometer FOC was found it can withstand the stresses of balloon takeoff and flight using the spinning-reel wind deployment technique. The refractionsionde, as a whole, performed as predicted and reliably transmitted meteorological data to the ground station.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA235982

Entities

People

  • C. M. Young
  • K. D. Anderson

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Automatic Gain Control
  • Deployment
  • Detectors
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Fiber-Optic Cables
  • Frequency
  • Ground Stations
  • Measurement
  • Meteorological Data
  • Optical Fibers
  • Prototypes
  • Radio Frequency
  • Radio Transmitters
  • Radiosondes
  • Standards
  • Tactical Decision Aids
  • Transmitters

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
  • Optical Fiber Sensing and Electromagnetic Propagation.
  • Spectroscopy.