Precision tropopause turbulence measurements

Limited samples of the turbulence structure in the tropopause suggest that conventional models for atmospheric turbulence may not apply through this portion of the atmosphere. This paper discusses the instrumentation requirements, design and calibration of a balloon borne sensor suite designed to accurately measure the distribution and spectral spatial character of the index of refraction fluctuations through the tropopause. The basis for the data system is a 16 bit dynamic range, high data rate sample and hold instrumentation package. Calibration and characterization of the constant current anemometers used in the measurements show them to have a frequency response greater than 170 Hz at the -3 Db point and sufficient resolution to measure a Cn2 of 1 x 10-19 cm-2/3. A novel technique was developed that integrates the over 20 signals into two time correlated telemetry streams. The entire system has been assembled for a flight in the late summer of 2000.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.