Test and Demonstration of a New In Situ Atmospheric Observing System Using Low-Cost Drifting Sensors

Technological advancements in electronics integration and miniaturization inspired a transformational environmental observing system known as GlobalSense. The system features an ensemble of completely disposable, airborne probes, mechanisms to deploy probes, and receiver platforms to gather data from probes. The ultra-compact probes, called environmental Motes or eMotes, function as passive drifters in the atmosphere using no active propulsion or flight. Once deployed from balloons or aircraft, eMotes transmit ultra-low power signals up to four times per second (4 Hz). Receiver platforms contain hardware and software to gather and process packets from multiple eMotes within range and store or retransmit data to other locations.

Data from and/or products derived using a GlobalSense system can benefit a wide range of applications with sensitivity to atmospheric conditions. The ultimate value proposition for weather applications is improved forecasting that translates directly to economic and social benefits over a multitude of weather-sensitive sectors of the global economy. A GlobalSense system can have much broader impact on research and operations by measuring parameters of interest relating to air quality, greenhouse gas (climate change), surveillance, reconnaissance, and other applications.

GlobalSense system prototypes were fabricated using commercial-off-the-shelf materials and tested as part of a multiyear project sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Technology Partnerships Office. Current eMote prototypes have a mass of around 10 grams and fall roughly 2.5 meters per second using rotors to create autorotation and slow descent. eMotes contain micro sensors to measure temperature, relative humidity, pressure, position, velocity, 3-axis rotation, 3-axis acceleration, and 3-axis magnetic fields. The position and other kinematic data are used to estimate atmospheric wind speed and direction.

A number of static (ground-based) and dynamic (airborne) system tests were performed leading up to a final demonstration (FD). The FD was conducted as a field test (FT) on 5 April 2018 in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories, at a U.S. Department of Agriculture site in New Mexico. The conference presentation will highlight efforts to calibrate and validation GlobalSense meteorological data using independent measurements obtained from other observing systems in preparation for the FT. It will conclude with a summary of FT results including ground truth comparisons and future plans to develop an operational system for different weather applications