High-bandwidth atmospheric-turbulence data collection platform

In applications of adaptive optics, understanding the statistical nature of the upper atmospheric turbulence is critical. Today there is a lack of detailed knowledge of upper atmospheric turbulence in the region of the tropopause. Tropopause measurements have been made with simplifications in experimental designs and the potential for experimentally induced artifacts. Recent measurements by various groups indicate the presence of non-Kolmogorov behavior, asymmetric turbulence structure and finite outer scale sizes. Analysis of current balloon borne data collection techniques suggests that signal processing and the balloons own wake may have influenced the sensor. To address some of these concerns, a new measurement platform has been designed that carries 15 constant current probes that are simultaneously sampled at 16 bits at over 1500 samples per second during a controlled descent. All of the signals are then telemetered to the ground without on board processing. The data are then merged with atmospheric data and payload orientation to product key turbulence parameters, including turbulence strength, the inner and outer scales, the temperature structure function, power spectral density of the turbulence, and turbulence isotropic behavior.