Radiosondescompact

Radiosondescompact refers to a class of compact, lightweight radiosonde packages designed for upper-air meteorological observations. These devices combine essential atmospheric sensors, a telemetry system, and a compact power source in a reduced form factor to lower launch mass and production cost while maintaining usable data quality.

A typical radiosondescompact includes a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor, along with a small microcontroller and a radio transmitter. Many designs also incorporate a GPS receiver to provide wind vectors and precise altitude. The sensors are housed in an aerodynamic enclosure that protects electronics during ascent through the atmosphere. Power is supplied by lightweight lithium batteries, with power management optimized for the high-altitude operational envelope.

During a launch, the device is mounted beneath a weather balloon and ascends through the atmosphere, transmitting measurements to ground stations. Data are used to derive vertical profiles of temperature, humidity, and pressure, and, when GPS data are available, horizontal wind information. Compact designs aim to enable denser observation networks, lower per-unit cost, and shorter lead times for deployment, including educational or field-research contexts.

In practice, radiosondescompact must balance sensor performance, communication bandwidth, and endurance. Smaller sensors may have higher noise or slower response, and some designs sacrifice absolute sensor precision to achieve lighter weight. Nevertheless, they contribute to modern radiosonde networks by expanding coverage and data redundancy, especially in regions with limited traditional radiosonde launches.

See also: radiosonde, weather balloon, meteorological observations, wind profiler.