33cm Band Communications for High Altitude Balloons

Clayton G. Jacobs

Tucson, Arizona

April 21st, 2012

Overview

• Research Question

• Objectives

• Experimentation

• Results

• Conclusion

• Further Development

Research Question:

• Is the 33-centimeter Radio Band and useful method of communication for high altitude balloon experiments?

• How can a 900mhz transceiver be integrated into a high altitude balloon payload?

Objectives

• Design an interface for the transceiver and microcontroller.

• Program the microcontroller to operate with the transceiver.

• Build a structure to contain payload.

• Fly payload on a balloon flight to collect data.

Experimentation

• Arduino chosen as the microcontroller.

• Radio interface designed using an arduino add-on shield.

Microcontroller Stack

Experimentation Cont.

• Radio stack was joined with an ASCEND payload and programmed to transmit telemetry and Geiger counter output.

• Matching base station was paired with the radio to receive data.

ASCEND Payload

Experimentation Cont.

• The arduino/transeiver module flew on three separate near space balloon flights courtesy of ANSR, Arizona Near Space Research.

ANSR Flights 65, 66, and 67

Results

• Transmitted data was received clearly with no packet loss below 40,000ft.

• 50% Packet loss from 40,000ft to 70,000ft.

• 80% packet loss above 70,000ft.

• Received packets were complete and unaltered.

Conclusions

• The collected results are favorable.

• 33cm band communications are useful for high altitude balloons due to there generally low packet loss and high data rate.

Further Development

• While the radios performed well, the radio command ability was not tested.

• The available radios were capable of advanced transfer methods that were left untested.

• Future tests will evaluate these abilities.

End

Questions and Comments Welcome