Progress report

Extensive research was done to locate/build the R.F. module for the met sounding payload. Both embedded R.F. ICs and transistor based PCB layouts for R.F. modules were studied and the following results are summarized. 1. Transistor based PCB layout R.F. modules do not provide enough bandwidth for digital data transmission, thus IC based modules were chosen.

2. It was found that programmable R.F. ICs are manufactured by all the major semiconductor companies
Texas Instrument Atmel Semtech Silicon Labs These programmable R.F. ICs were found to provide a wide range of frequencies and data transmission rate options.

The functionality and the requirements to be met by the transmitter were studied. Other than those provided in the design manual the R.F. ICs also provide the following functionality : Continuous data streaming capability Easy interface with microcontroller Low power consumption Small packaging High bandwidth

After going through the data sheets of all the relevant R.F. ICs Silicon Labs SI4012 and Texas Instruments CC1150 were found to be best suited for our application Basic data sheet of SI4012 IC: Frequency range 27-960 MHz Output power +10dbm

Modulation FSK/OOK Data rate 100 kbaud SPI interface with mcu Operating voltage 1.8 3.6 V

Basic data sheet of TI CC1150: Frequency range 400-464 MHz Output power +10dbm Option of FSK, GFSK, ASK, OOK modulation Provides standard modem data rates Maximum data rate 250 kbaud SPI and UART interface with mcu Operating voltage 1.8-3.6 V

Problems encountered

the only disadvantage of the above ics is the output power 10 mw Do not have enough technical known-how to design the antenna structure. Path loss calculations reveal that for 100 km(worst case due to wind drift) the free space path loss is 155dbm at average distance 75km path loss is 152dbm at min distance 50km path loss is 148dbm Now we know For worst case Transmitter o/p=20dbm Antenna gain=11db in the direction of transmission Power at the receiver =20-155+11= -124dbm Therefore the sensitivity of receiver should be greater than 124dbm but at this high sensitivity the receiver may not be able work at high baud rates

Probable Solutions

This problem can be rectified attaching a power amplifier to the transistor output, this will bring the output to the required power level. For the reciver to work at high speed we can enhance the output The following are the specifications for the power amplifier20 or more 400-410 MHz 1.8-3.6 V

Gain Operating frequency Operating voltage

GPS ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCTION Meteorological Sounding Payload which can measure atmospheric parameters like Wind Speed and Direction, Air Temperature, Air Pressure and Relative Humidity as primary parameters and Ozone, Radiation and Radioactivity as optional parameters. The 200g met balloon is to go upto a height of 50km withstanding high pressure and the round shaped payload is to weigh not more than 100g. The specifications, cost, precision and efficiency of payload, and design feasibility are going to be the constraints kept in mind while designing every aspect of the payload. The small GPS module on the motherboard is to be placed inside the enclosure of the payload with the GPS antenna floating out. A receiver to receive signals from this antenna is to be placed at the ground station. Keeping all the above in mind, a basic understanding of the this idea, antennas, GPS systems, modulation techniques, digital signals, simulation in MATLAB, FSK modeling, atmospheric and environmental parameters, etc is necessary. The progress made in order to produce an efficient GPS transmitting and receiving system has been elaborated here.

PROGRESS MADE: Importance of the data that can be given by a meteorological sounding payload and various components of the MSP to be designed is known. 1) GPS concept, practical applications, working of a GPS system, transmitting antenna and receiver, and its role in MSP is known. 2) Regarding GPS module on the motherboard: - introduction to antennas, their evolution, basics, types - helical antennas: production of circularly polarized radiation, constancy of input impedance, VSWR - VSWR: effects of its value on transmitted power. The 1.5:1 VSWR will produce 0.09 dB reduction in transmission loss. 1:1 produces no reflected power with infinite return loss. - Quadrifilar helix antennas being used most in space applications.

Parameters to consider to maximize performance like beamwidth, gain, axial ratio, impedance. 3) GPS receiver : various GPS receiver modules suiting high precision applications is being collected from the internet and journal papers. 4) The meaning and significance of the parameters mentioned in the specifications is being updated at every stage of learning.. 5) MATLAB coding to generate and perform simple operations on signals, matrices, etc is being studied. -

Materials required:
1. Copper is a better choice but Aluminum can also be used but we will have joining problems. Since, we have to bring the cost of production down; we have to go for Aluminum. 2. Capacitors should be of mica or NPO ceramic devices.

GPS Antenna considerations:

1. Band frequency: GPS SPS band frequency is 1575.42MHz. 2. Height: From the wavelength calculations, the minimum height of the antenna should be around 19cm or 7.5inches 3. Pitch of the helix: 4.75cm 4. Ground plane: Same as the height of the antenna i.e. 7.5inches in diameter. Aluminum can be used for the ground plane but, there are small mounting considerations. 5. Helix coli base: A 2inch PVC pipe can be used. It has a circumference of 19cm which is the exact match for GPS frequency. 6. Helix wire: A wide range of wire diameters can be used. It has to be a copper wire. 7. Antenna connector: Commonly available RG58 or RG8X or a lower loss coaxial cable connector can be used if we want to disconnect the antenna.

EXPECTATIONS Familiarity with GPS devices, antennas, basic helical antenna theory, MATLAB programming, construction of GPS antennas, some important parameters and their significance.. MATLAB programming exercises to simulate digital signals is to be learnt. Readymade construction details available online dont satisfy all the specifications. Hence more knowledge about the design parameters is needed to produce an efficient device. 1) From the curriculum Modulation Techniques it is expected that detailed knowledge of analog, pulse modulation techniques and functions of various types of detectors and receivers will be obtained. 2) Vulnerabilities of GPS devices in applications like MSP is being updated constantly. Solutions to maximize safety of device is to be known.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Antennas for all applications by John D Kraus http://www.educypedia.be/electronics/antennahelical.htm www.google.com PDF files found on the internet for construction details MATLAB Help and teach yourself videos.