A brief introduction to the United Kingdom Mark 3 radiosonde system
Abstract
The features of the United Kingdom radiosonde Mk 3 are surveyed. The unit consists of three meteorological sensors: a thermometer, a hygrometer, and a barometer, together with a package of electronics that serves to convert these measurements into radio signals and transmit these signals to a receiving station on the ground. Once received, the signals are measured and decoded in a computer-controlled processor so that the meteorological information may be extracted from them. The different signals are transmitted in a sequence of: pressure every 8 s, humidity once every 4 s, temperature once every 2 s, and a particular reference value once every 24 s of flight. Finally, it is noted that the U.K. Mk 3 radiosonde system is the first fully automatic upper-air measurement system to be introduced on a routine operational basis anywhere in the world.
- Publication:
-
Weather
- Pub Date:
- March 1979
- DOI:
- 10.1002/j.1477-8696.1979.tb03415.x
- Bibcode:
- 1979Wthr...34...95P
- Keywords:
-
- Balloon-Borne Instruments;
- Meteorological Instruments;
- Radiosondes;
- Equipment Specifications;
- Ground Stations;
- Marine Meteorology;
- United Kingdom