SIGNAL TRANSMISSION AND HOLDING DEVICE FOR AIR-BORNE ANTENNAS OF AN RF-LOCATING SYSTEM

摘要

An RF-locating system that uses airborne antennas on a captive balloon. It comprises a new design for reducing the weight of the signal transmission and holding device (payload of the balloon) for transmittance of broad-band antenna signals from the captive balloon to the signal processing equipment on the ground. As signal transmission line for the antenna signals a lightweight fibre optic cable is used having a protective covering reinforced by synthetic fibres. The fibre optic cable has a tensile strength sufficient to replace the stay rope for the captive balloon. The electronic signal transmission devices have been designed to minimise power requirements and for a reduced payload.