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Sensor Network for Polar Research Aircraft

Background

Since May 2001 OPTIMARE is responsible for the development and installation of scientific equipment onboard two Dornier 228-101 research aircraft of the Foundation Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (Bremerhaven, Germany). The data acquisition system MEDUSA-P was installed onboard both aircraft. Meanwhile MEDUSA-P was transferred to Polar 5, a new research aircraft of type Basler BT-67 (converted DC-3).

Challenging Environmental Conditions

The following environmental conditions must be faced by aircraft, crew and equipment during polar missions:

• Operational temperatures below -40 °C
• Flight altitudes up to 7.000 m without pressurization
• Starts and landings on rough ice runways

Therefore a robust, but nevertheless compact design of equipment with high standards for data quality is required.

Applications

MEDUSA-P is a further development of the sensor network concept MEDUSA which is used for operational airborne oil-spill detection over the North and Baltic Seas since several years. MEDUSA-P was successfully operated during polar missions in Arctic and Antarctic regions in the disciplines of geophysics, meteorology and air chemistry. On request, it can easily be adapted to further applications due to its modular structure.

The Concept

• Sensors are combined in thematic sensor groups and administrated by sensor processors.
• A GPS-based time-server distributes a central time-stamp to all sensor processors by fibre optics which guarantees a high temporal synchronization of all sensor data.
• Transfer of all sensor data to the Central Operating Unit (COU) by Ethernet connection.
• The COU serves as a database with a graphical user interface for visualization and data control.
• Redundant data storage on sensor processors and COU optimizes data reliability.
• In-house development and design of special components which  resist polar temperatures and low pressure.