Remote data acquisition using random mode sub-telemetry systems

There is increasing interest in automated wide-area data collection systems from various government agencies and private research groups. Applications for such automated networks are growing rapidly as budget constraints and manpower limitations prevent data collection from many remote sites by traditional manual methods. Current automated networks such as the U.S.G.S. GOES Satellite System and the Soil Conservation Service SNOTEL Meteorbust Network are restrictive, in that they are primarily limited to use by government agencies and users with hydrologic or meteorological missions. This paper describes a low-cost, random mode, sub-telemetry data acquisition system 'POPCORN' which can be used to significantly expand existing GOES and Meteorburst Networks. The availability of low-cost sub-telemetry equipment enhances the feasibility of a commercially operated wide area data collection system, known as 'DATANET'. This commercial network concept provides resources and services to a large group of users with diverse data collection requirements.