Radiosonde Measurement of the Atmosphere Using GPS Positioning Data

Michael Alexander

Abstract:	The U.S. Army. in order to evaluate material and to test weapon systems, operates a wide variety of test ranges throughout the continental United States, Alaska and Panama (figure 1). Each of these ranges has, for the most part, a singular purpose. They are located in an environment appropriate for the required testing. For example: Fort Greeley, Alaska is used when material or weapon systems need to be evaluated in arctic climates; Panama for tropical conditions; and Yuma Proving Ground. Arizona or White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico for desert testing. Additionally, some ranges have test mission responsibility for specific types of weapon system development. Examples are Forts AP Hi and Belvoir, in Virginia, which specialize in electro-optical systems and night vision equipment; and Fort Huachuca, Arizona where the Army’s Electronic Proving Ground is located. Fort Rucker, Alabama provides test and evaluation for most Army aircraft, and Redstone Arsenal. Alabama is responsible for the evaluation, development and testing of rocket and missile propellants and other associated components. lbe largest of the ranges is White Sands Missile Range. White Sands is larger than the combined areas of the states of Rhode Island and Delaware. White Sands provides facilities for the test and evaluation of a wide range of weapon systems: from high energy lasers, to multiple-launch rocket systems, to nuclear blast simulations. This range also encompasses Holloman Air Force Base; the high speed sled track and a bombing and gunnery range. The Army’s total test and evaluation range complex provides facilities to develop new products and weapon systems, and to evaluate production lots delivered to the Army by its contractors. Material as diverse as arctic sleeping bags, to tropical boots must be tested to insure they perform their required mission. Weapons must operate in the tropics, in the desert, in the arctic, in mountainous terrain and at sea level. In order to prove the validity of the evaluations, atmospheric data must be collected near the test site. The types of atmospheric data collected can be classified into 2 categories; surface data meaning that the sensors are on. in, or near the earth’s surfax (usually 200 meters maximum); and upper-an data which normally starts at altitudes close to where the surface data ends and extends to the top of the atmosphere. This presentation concerns upper-an data; how it is collected in support of Army testing, and why new methods were sought that use GPS technology.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 7th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1994) September 20 - 23, 1994 Salt Palace Convention Center Salt Lake City, UT
Pages:	1627 - 1635
Cite this article:	Alexander, Michael, "Radiosonde Measurement of the Atmosphere Using GPS Positioning Data," Proceedings of the 7th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1994), Salt Lake City, UT, September 1994, pp. 1627-1635.
Full Paper:	ION Members/Non-Members: 1 Download Credit Sign In