33cm Band Communications for High Altitude Balloons Clayton G. Jacobs Tucson, Arizona April 21 st, 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