Remote Telemetry System for Particulate Monitoring

Book excerpt: Describes the use of a satellite modem to relay data from a DataRam unit measuring smoke particulate to a Web site where the data can be viewed. Applied Digital Security, Inc., developed the satellite telemetry system with guidance from the USDA Forest Service's Missoula Technology and Development Center. Without the telemetry system, someone must drive to the DataRam unit to download data to a PC or to view the instantaneous reading on the DataRam's screen (which may not reflect trends or conditions over the longer term). With the telemetry system, anyone interested in viewing the data can go to the Describes the use of a satellite modem to relay data from a DataRam unit measuring smoke particulate to a Web site where the data can be viewed. Applied Digital Security, Inc., developed the satellite telemetry system with guidance from the USDA Forest Service's Missoula Technology and Development Center. Without the telemetry system, someone must drive to the DataRam unit to download data to a PC or to view the instantaneous reading on the DataRam's screen (which may not reflect trends or conditions over the longer term). With the telemetry system, anyone interested in viewing the data can go to the Web site http://www.satguard.com/usfs/. The home page shows a picture of the United States with red or green dots. The dots indicate the last reporting location of a unit. Green means the units are operating. Red means they are not. For operating units, the Web site shows the current and past particulate concentrations, internal temperatures, and internal relative humidities. The telemetry system itself is known as the AQD4-2000 MK II. It weighs just 16 pounds and comes in a case about the size of a 6-inch-thick laptop computer.