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LORAN-C TETROON TRANSPONDER AND TRACKING SYSTEM
Citation:
Clawson, K., E. Pound, C. Dickson, AND G. Start. LORAN-C TETROON TRANSPONDER AND TRACKING SYSTEM. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/3-86/060.
Description:
An advanced system for tracking multiple regional scale Lagrangian markers was developed. The system consists of a miniature tetroon-borne transponder and a small computerized receiving station capable of providing continuous real-time data on tetroon location (latitude/longitude) and altitude. The transponder consists of a telemetry subsystem, a LORAN-C receiver, and a 403 MHz transmitter. The telemetry subsystem measures atmospheric temperature and pressure, converts the data into frequencies, and then transmits these data together with a transponder ID frequency to a remote receiving station. Multiple tetroons can be discriminated at a range of up to 160 km. The transponder weighs less than 365 g and can be flown on a cub m tetroon. Battery life is 2 to 6 days. The data acquisition system consists of an FM receiver, a LORAN-C navigator, a frequency to digital converter, and a microcomputer. The receiving station can be ground-based or mounted in a single engine aircraft.