Integrated Temperature Sensing
Built-in temperature sensing supports accurate pressure measurement and reliable atmospheric data acquisition throughout the flight.
GNSS Wind-Finding · Balloon-Borne
Pilotsonde: GNSS-Based Wind-Finding System for Upper-Air Sounding
T-PS-300 Balloon-Borne Wind-Finding Instrument
Pilotsonde (T-PS-300) is a lightweight, balloon-borne wind-finding instrument that determines upper-air wind speed and direction using dual-band GNSS positioning, backed by an integrated temperature sensor and a barometric pressure reference available on request for altitude derivation. Replacing traditional optical theodolite tracking with fully automated GNSS wind-finding, the Pilotsonde delivers consistent, repeatable wind profiles for meteorological, aviation, and range-safety operations, weighing under 27 g and covering altitudes from mean sea level up to 30 km.
Dual-band GNSS L1 + L5 (IRNSS) wind-finding
72-channel DGPS tracking
Balloon-borne build at under 27 g
Telemetry range of up to 250 km
Integrated Anti-Jamming and Anti-Spoofing (AJ/AS)
Altitude coverage from MSL up to 30 km
Purpose-Built for Wind Profiling
Where a complete atmospheric profile is not required, the Pilotsonde offers a focused, economical alternative to a standard PTU (pressure, temperature, humidity) radiosonde, keeping payload weight and per-flight cost down while preserving GNSS-grade wind accuracy.
Shared System Architecture
The Pilotsonde retains the same balloon-borne ascent, telemetry architecture, and ground-reception compatibility as the Sertel Radiosonde family, letting operators choose Radiosonde or Pilotsonde on a launch-by-launch basis according to mission requirements.
Cost-Effective, GNSS-Precise Wind Observations
Combining multi-frequency GNSS wind-finding with a barometric pressure reference, the Pilotsonde delivers wind speed and direction accuracy suited to operational meteorology, aviation support, and range safety, at a lower payload cost than a full-sensor radiosonde, without compromising positioning precision.
Key Features
Engineered for Dependable Wind Profiling
Everything needed to replace manual theodolite tracking with fully automated, GNSS-precise upper-air wind observations, from a single lightweight sonde.
Lightweight Platform
A high-performance sonde architecture at under 27 g enables efficient balloon ascent and improved flight performance.
Upper-Air Measurement Capability
Measures from mean sea level up to 30 km altitude for reliable wind profiling across the full sounding range.
Dual-Band GNSS Positioning
An advanced dual-band L1 + L5 GNSS receiver provides precise positioning and accurate wind determination throughout the ascent.
Long-Range RF Telemetry
LoRa/GFSK-based RF telemetry supports reliable real-time data transmission over distances of up to 250 km.
Integrated AJ and AS Protection
Built-in Anti-Jamming (AJ) and Anti-Spoofing (AS) technologies maintain resilient GNSS operation even in challenging RF environments.
How the Pilotsonde Delivers Wind Data
A single Pilotsonde flight moves through four stages, from ground preparation to real-time wind data at the receiving station.
01
Prepare & Configure
Configure and calibrate the sonde over USB 2.0 or a wireless link, then attach it to the balloon payload ahead of launch.
02
Launch & Ascent
The under-27 g, balloon-borne sonde ascends through the atmosphere from mean sea level toward 30 km altitude.
03
Track & Sense
Dual-band L1 + L5 GNSS resolves position drift across 72 DGPS channels to derive wind speed and direction, while the temperature sensor, and the barometric pressure reference where fitted, log atmospheric conditions in parallel.
04
Transmit & Receive
Readings transmit at a 1 Hz rate over the 400 to 406 MHz telemetry link, with a range of up to 250 km, to the ground station for real-time display.
A Streamlined Alternative to Optical Tracking
The Pilotsonde replaces manual theodolite-based pilot balloon tracking with a fully automated GNSS solution, removing dependence on visual line-of-sight, daylight conditions, and operator judgement, while delivering consistent, repeatable wind data for every ascent.
Applications
Trusted for Wind Profiling Across Critical Operations
The Pilotsonde supports operations that depend on accurate, repeatable upper-air wind data without the overhead of a full atmospheric sensor payload.
Wind Profiling & Sounding
Weather Forecasting
Aviation Support
Disaster Management
Research & Education
Atmospheric Science
Technical Specifications
Complete RF, wind-finding, sensor, and mechanical specifications for the Sertel Pilotsonde T-PS-300.
RF & Telemetry
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Transmission Rate | 1 Hz |
| Frequency Range | 400 to 406 MHz |
| Modulation | GFSK/LoRa |
| Radiated Power (Telemetry) | 100 mW |
| Bandwidth | ± 3 MHz |
| Telemetry Range | Up to 250 km |
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Deploy Precision Wind Profiling?
Talk to a Sertel engineer for a tailored Pilotsonde configuration, datasheet, and pricing for the T-PS-300.