Weather Data System Utilizes Iridium Satellites for Air to Ground Links
Iridium Satellite is providing critical satellite data communications for a rapidly expanding atmospheric data reporting program that uses commercial aircraft to gather and transmit meteorological data automatically to its data center.
An Iridium value-added reseller, has developed the patented Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Reporting (TAMDAR) system, which uses weather sensors installed on commercial aircraft connected to an onboard Iridium satellite transceiver. The TAMDAR sensors measure humidity, wind, pressure, temperature, icing and turbulence conditions during all phases of flight. A built-in GPS receiver provides position, time and altitude. The observations are transmitted in real time to a data center through the Iridium satellite network.
Following an initial deployment on 50 Saab 340 aircraft flown by Mesaba Airlines in the Great Lakes region, Iridium is currently expanding its coverage through similar agreements with Horizon, Republic, Chautauqua, Shuttle America, Piedmont and PenAir. This expanded coverage will provide near complete atmospheric data reporting of the continental United States with a total of more than 400 aircraft during 2007.
“Commercial airlines, especially regionals, are the ideal platforms for TAMDAR sensors, since they make shorter, more frequent trips and operate at altitudes below 30,000 feet, filling in an important gap in weather observations,” said Jay Ladd, CEO. “Their frequent ascents and descents provide a high frequency of soundings from diverse geographic locations.”
“TAMDAR yields a real-time stream of rich atmospheric data for forecasting models, which are orders of magnitude greater than currently available from radiosondes and other sources,” said Ladd. “Analysis of data from the Mesaba aircraft reveals that TAMDAR is providing a significant improvement in the accuracy of atmospheric forecast models.”
In addition to improved weather routing services, participating carriers get added benefits from the Iridium satcom system. For instance, they are using Iridium to transmit automated flight following and OOOI (Out of Gate, Off Airport, On Airport, In Airport) operational reports from the aircraft, as well as high-quality two-way voice and text messaging communications for the cockpit and cabin crew.
Ladd expects the TAMDAR-equipped fleet to grow to more than 950 aircraft over the next few years, providing an unprecedented density of low-altitude weather data nationwide. “Weather forecasting agencies in other countries are also monitoring the TAMDAR program, and Iridium’s global architecture can facilitate seamless expansion around the world, including the polar regions,” he said.
“Iridium’s global satellite coverage and reliable two-way low-latency data links are ideal for applications such as the TAMDAR service, and we are pleased to be able to support this important contribution to improved weather forecasting,” said Matt Desch, chairman and CEO of Iridium Satellite. "The TAMDAR application is just one of many innovative uses of Iridium's powerful data delivery service. Iridium can provide two-way connectivity to scientific and commercial devices from anywhere in the world, at any altitude, very cost effectively." |
25 October 2006
