Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Cote, C. E..
The advantages of a technique in which data collection platforms randomly transmit signal to a polar orbiting satellite, thus eliminating satellite interrogation are demonstrated in investigations of the atmosphere; oceanographic parameters; Arctic regions and ice conditions; navigation and position location; and data buoy development.
Technological developments in satellite data collection are aimed at relieving constraints of existing systems to permit expanded capability at lower costs in future operations. Constraints imposed by the limited electromagnetic spectrum available in the UHF band and the cost of user equipment are principal targets for improvement through technology. This paper describes ongoing developmental activities in system and component areas which will become available for the next generation of operations.
The Public Service Communications Satellite (PSCS) program is intended to develop and demonstrate a space system aimed at stimulating future commercial markets in fixed and mobile applications. The services are envisioned for rural areas, regions beyond access to terrestrial systems, or for continuous cross-country applications. The system incorporates a UHF repeater for mobile voice and data experiments; 8 MHz of spectrum is specified for serving 70 channels. This paper describes the PSCS program and discusses some demonstration experiments. A future concept based on large structure multibeam antennas is also discussed.
Significant progress has been achieved in simplifying platform concepts through random access techniques. This is particularly important in applications such as balloons where weight is critical. In applications, where weight restriction may not be a problem, the concept lends itself to uncomplicated designs and low cost. Nevertheless, ordered systems offer inherent advantages in managing data flow which justifies their use. With continuing improvements in technology, particularly low power receivers, ordered systems should become quite competitive with random systems for many applications.
Satellite location and data collection systems development began in the early 1960's in NASA and the French CNES. These systems were initially developed for application to meteorology and oceanography as a means of tracking moving platforms on a global scale. Additional applications such as geology, hydrology, and ecology have since evolved. To date, five successful missions have been completed. With each successive launch, systems improved in accordance with user requirements - particularly reduction in cost and complexity of platform equipment. With planned launches, facilities will be available to the user community through 1980; NASA is currently forecasting needs beyond 1980.
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Radiotracking and monitoring of free-living animals in natural environments is providing an effective new technique for acquiring information on biological processes, including animal orientation and navigation. To test the practicability of extending the technique by using satellite systems for tracking animals, a female elk was instrumented with an electronic collar. It contained both the Interrogation Recording Location System (IRLS) transponder and a Craighead-Varney ground-tracking transmitter. The elk was successfully tracked and monitored by satellite during month of April 1970. This was the first time an animal had been tracked by satellite on the surface of the earth.
The Nimbus 4 interrogation, recording, and location system is designed to locate and collect measurement data of upper atmospheric parameters through the tracking of free floating, constant level balloons flying at altitudes of 20.5 and 24.1 km and carrying specially designed interrogation packages. The basic elements of the system include a ground acquisition and command station, the Nimbus satellite, and the remote sensing platforms. Addresses of platforms as they come into view are programmed into the satellite on an orbit by orbit basis from the central ground station. Sensory data are transmitted to the satellite for storage and readout from balloon interrogation units.
Description of a feasibility experiment recently performed to test the use of a satellite system for telemetering environmental and physiological data from the winter den of a 'hibernating' black bear, Ursus americanus. The instrumentation procedure and evaluations of the equipment performance and sensory data obtained are discussed in detail.
Nimbus 4 Interrogation Recording and Location System meteorological experiment for tropical region upper atmosphere information
Satellites interrogation, recording and location system for data acquisition from deployed remote instrumented platforms
Instrumented orbital platforms for remote data acquisition and location systems
Interrogation, recording, and location system for feasibility of polar orbiting satellites
Cathode ray tube system for displaying ones and zeros in binary wave train
Digital telemetry systems are treated by a display system that offers direct readout as high data rates. The rates appear in numerical format and are adaptable to photographic recording techniques. The system can show bit dropouts at a memory output or locate a malfunction in a system.
Design, operation, and applications of telemetry data frame readout display system