Onwards and Upwards - Radiometrix lends hand to US students |
 Wireless communication specialist Radiometrix has supplied two custom
radio transceivers to Idaho State University for its Research
Involving Student Engineers (RISE) program. The London-based company supplied the pair of customised UHX1 multi-channel radio transceivers tuned to a special VHF frequency (147MHz) with US distributor, Lemos
International.
The program is sponsored by NASA and releases weather balloons with
ceilings exceeding 25,000 meters. The balloons have payloads made up
of a camera box, an automatic position reporting system for tracking
purposes, and a flight computer. In addition, the balloons can carry
various experiments from extremeophile bacteria research to simple egg
drop mechanisms.
Weight is a key concern to comply with Federal Aviation
Administration's 12 lb weight limit on these flights. "Finding a
compact, lightweight radio solution was vital to the continued success
of the project", noted Professor Tim Frazier, the project's faculty
sponsor. Researchers have been looking at how to miniaturize the
multi-channel tracking package, and the Radiometrix module offered a
way of achieving this. "Lemos and Radiometrix have worked with us to
choose a suitable transceiver and associated electronics for the
project," explained Ben Estes, program member. "The UHX-1 module from
Radiometrix has enabled a transparent serial link between the control
station and the flight computer in the balloon once it is airborne.
This allows full communication between the balloon and the ground
crew," Estes continued, "allowing them to operate vents, cut-down
mechanisms, parachute deployment, and actuate any other mechanisms
needed" he concludes.
The full range of Radiometrix products are available in the USA via
the company's official distributor, Lemos International.
UHX1 Transceiver specs
All Radiometrix Products
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