Accession Number:

ADA235982

Title:

Fiber-Optic Refractionsonde

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. Jun 1987-Jan 1991

Corporate Author:

NAVAL OCEAN SYSTEMS CENTER SAN DIEGO CA

Personal Author(s):

• Anderson, K. D.
• Young, C. M.

Report Date:

1991-04-01

Pagination or Media Count:

33.0

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.

Descriptors:

• *RUGGEDIZED EQUIPMENT
• WIND
• METEOROLOGICAL DATA
• TAKEOFF
• BALLOONS
• GROUND STATIONS
• REELS
• SEA TESTING
• STRESSES
• DRAG

Subject Categories:

• Meteorology
• Fiber Optics and Integrated Optics
• Non-Radio Communications

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE