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GOES, POES, & MetOp Weather Satellites
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The U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operates various weather satellites. Some of the satellites are geostationary (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites, or GOES), and others are in polar low Earth orbits (Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites, or POES).
The first of the next-generation polar-orbiting satellites, known as Suomi NPP (National Polar-orbiting Partnership), was launched on October 28th, 2011. An additional next-gen satellite launch is scheduled for 2017.
As a result of the 2012 Middle Class Tax Relief and Jobs Creation Act, POES, GOES, and MetOp satellites use some spectrum that is shared by, or adjacent to, the 1695-1710 MHz portion of the AWS-3 spectrum. This segment is used for uplinks from mobile devices to base stations. To mitigate interference to NOAA operations, the government has issued an RFP for an RF Interference Management System (RFIMS), which will be installed at the 17 official NOAA ground stations, listen for interference, and alert mobile network operators in real time that mitigation measures are needed. The RFIMS concept was first proposed by the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CSMAC).
Three legacy satellites in the GOES series are: GOES-East, also known as GOES-13, at 75 deg W; GOES-West, also known as GOES-15, at 135.4 deg W; and GOES-Spare, also known as GOES-14, parked at 104.6 deg W. The next generation of satellites began with the launch of GOES-R on November 19th, 2016. Four satellites are planned in the series, GOES-R, GOES-S, GOES-T, and GOES-U. When fully operational, GOES-R will be renamed GOES-16. The ultimate orbit location for GOES-16 is to be determined.
Details of the signals transmitted by the satellites are provided in the linked presentation.
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Frequencies |
Frequency | Bandwidth | Use | Service | Table |
137.1 MHz | 34 kHz | POES Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
137.5 MHz | 34 kHz | POES Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
137.62 MHz | 34 kHz | POES Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
137.9125 MHz | 34 kHz | POES Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1676 MHz | 5.2 MHz | Legacy GOES SDL downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1680 MHz | 475 kHz | GOES-R DCPR downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1681.5 MHz | 400 kHz | Legacy GOES MDL downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1685.7 MHz | 4.22 MHz | Legacy GOES GVAR downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1686.6 MHz | 10.9 MHz | GOES-R GRB downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1691 MHz | 586 kHz | Legacy GOES LRIT downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1692.7 MHz | 27 kHz | Legacy GOES EMWIN-N downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1693 MHz | 80 kHz | GOES-R CDA telemetry downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1694 MHz | 16 kHz | Legacy GOES CDA Telemetry downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1694.1 MHz | 1.205 MHz | GOES-R HRIT downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1694.5 MHz | 475 kHz | Legacy GOES DCPR downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1694.8 MHz | 475 kHz | Legacy GOES DCPR downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1698 MHz | 2.66 MHz | POES High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT) downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1698 MHz | 5.32 MHz | POES Local Area Coverage (LAC) and Global Area Coverage (GAC) downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1701.3 MHz | 4.5 MHz | MetOp Advanced High Resolution Picture Transmissions (AHRPT) downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1702.5 MHz | 5.32 MHz | POES Local Area Coverage (LAC) and Global Area Coverage (GAC) downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1702.5 MHz | 2.66 MHz | POES High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT) downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1707 MHz | 4.5 MHz | MetOp Advanced High Resolution Picture Transmissions (AHRPT) downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1707 MHz | 5.32 MHz | POES Local Area Coverage (LAC) and Global Area Coverage (GAC) downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1707 MHz | 2.66 MHz | POES High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT) downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
1707 MHz | 12 MHz | Suomi NPP Low Data Rate (LDR) downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
7812 MHz | 30 MHz | Suomi NPP High Data Rate (HDR) downlink | Meteorological-satellite | F |
External Links:
Associated Files:
| DySpan_presentation_v2 Radio Frequency Interference Monitoring System for Weather Satellite Ground Stations: Challenges and Opportunities, presentation by NOAA at the DySPAN 2017 conf...
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Radiosondes
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According to the U.S. National Weather Service:
In order to understand the dynamic processes that result in the weather we experience, we need to know what is happening through the entire atmosphere. These observations are primarily taken with the aid of radiosondes.
The radiosonde is a small instrument package that is suspended below balloon filled with either hydrogen or helium. As the radiosonde is carried aloft, it measures pressure, temperature, and relative humidity.
These sensors are linked to a battery-powered radio transmitter that sends the information to a ground receiver. By tracking the position of the radiosonde in flight via GPS (Global Positioning System), measurements of wind speed and direction aloft is also obtained.
Worldwide, most radiosonde observations are taken daily at 00Z and 12Z (6 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST). With worldwide coordination of these upper air observations, we can obtain a picture of the various pressure and wind patterns across the globe.
Radiosonde observations technically provide only pressure, temperature, and relative humidity data; the tracked position of a radiosonde is actually called a rawinsonde observation and is used to obtain wind speed and direction. However, meteorologists and other data users frequently refer to them as part of the radiosonde observation.
The radiosonde flight can last in excess of two hours, and during this time the radiosonde can ascend to over 115,000 feet (35,000 m) and drift more than 125 miles (200 km) from the release point. During the flight, the radiosonde is exposed to temperatures as cold as -130°F (-92°C) and air pressures of only a few hundredths of what is found on the Earth's surface.
When the balloon has expanded beyond its elastic limit (20-25 feet in diameter) and bursts, the radiosonde returns to Earth via a small parachute. This slows its descent, minimizing the danger to life and property.
If found, radiosondes are safe to handle, as long as the balloon is deflated. Cut the string to the balloon/parachute and place them in a trash receptacle. You may also dispose of the radiosonde itself or keep it.
Worldwide, there are about 1,300 upper-air stations. Observations are made by the NWS at 92 stations: 69 in the conterminous United States, 13 in Alaska, nine in the Pacific, and one in Puerto Rico.
NWS supports the operation of 10 other stations in the Caribbean. Through international agreements, data are exchanged between countries worldwide.
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Frequency Bands |
Band | Use | Service | Table |
400.15 - 406 MHz | Radiosondes | Meteorological Aids | F |
1675 - 1685 MHz | Radiosondes | Meteorological Aids | F |
External Links:
Associated Files:
A Lockheed Martin Mark IIA Microsonde (radiosonde).
Preparing to launch a radiosonde (Reno, NV area).
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