The Design, Fabrication and Testing of Prototype Next-Generation Polar Automatic Weather Stations

University Of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI

Investigators

Abstract

0085217 Eloranta This project will design, fabricate, and test a prototype next-generation automatic weather station (AWS) for use in polar regions. The current network of AWS units relies on a twenty-year old design that has proven very reliable, however critical components are no longer available and newer and improved versions make a redesign not only feasible, but also necessary. The next generation AWS will incorporate the current capability to operate in a harsh environment, and to transmit data through System Argos receiver on polar orbiting satellites, but will also consume much less power, be much more flexible in its ability to interface with many different sensors, offer greatly reduced component size, and significantly greater processing power. It will also anticipate the Argos-3 satellite platform that will allow two-way communication with the AWS network deployed in Antarctica. ***