Automated Radiosonde System
Simple. Reasonable. Reliable.
More canisters for the best performance ever.

Design Concept of the New ARS

Technology That Supersedes the Turntable

Disadvantages of the Previous ARS

Turntable System
Turntable System

There is only one position on the turntable for balloon inflation and sonde loading.
If the turntable fails, the system cannot continue operating until it is repaired by trained personnel.

  • Trained personnel must visit the site to repair the fault and restart the system.
  • The turntable mechanism is complex.
  • Loading more radiosondes requires a larger turntable and additional unused space.

To Address These Disadvantages,
Meisei developed a new ARS concept called
the “Canister Type” with the following features:

  • Canister Modules for Loading Multiple Sondes
  • A New, Simplified Wind Shield for Smooth Launches
  • A Simple, Redundant Structure for Stable Operation
canister-type_photo1
Courtesy of JMA
canister-type_photo2

Features of the New ARS

Canister module

Loading Capacity: Supports up to 40 sondes.
Miniaturized canisters are installed on a 1 m × 1 m plate to form a “Canister Module.”

Advantage

The simple stationary canister design reduces the likelihood of failure.
Each canister inflates a balloon independently.

Wind Shield for Safe Launches

A rotating wind-shield hatch enables safe launches in strong wind conditions, but its mechanism is complex.
The new sliding ceiling and wind shield provide the same function as a rotating hatch through a simpler structure and movement.

wind-shield_photo1
Previous systemCourtesy of JMA
wind-shield_photo2
NEW ARSCourtesy of JMA

Redundant structure

The left and right canister modules operate independently.
Redundant gas, air, and electrical systems ensure a high level of observation continuity.

Left Canister Module / Right Canister Module

Easy sonde loading

The canister module can be moved to the preparation room for easy sonde loading.

Easy sonde loading Image1
Easy sonde loading Image2
Easy sonde loading Image3

Fail-Safe Operation

The New ARS can recover from a balloon burst during inflation by using another canister, without requiring on-site intervention.
Operators no longer need to visit the ARS to remove a burst balloon or restart the system during an observation period.

Advanced Remote Operability of the New ARS

Headquarters PC

On the Headquarters PC,

  • Housekeeping software for monitoring and maintaining each ARS site
  • MGPS2 Remote for viewing and editing observation data
  • A website for editing observation schedules and viewing system configurations
  • Notification software is installed to alert operators to observation events and system faults.
High remote operability of New ARS Figure

A web server is installed at each ARS site.
All information and data are stored in the database at each ARS site.

Various centralized monitoring and control functions are provided through application software
and a web browser that access the database on the workstation installed at each ARS site.
Operators at headquarters can manage all ARS sites efficiently.
The following functions are available.

  • Remote monitoring of ARS
  • Remote maintenance of ARS
  • Graphical Visualization of Sounding Data
  • Scheduling of Soundings
  • Generation of Meteorological Reports (e.g., FM32, FM35, and BUFR)
  • Automatic Transfer of Meteorological Reports via FTP

New ARS Installation Sites

Southwestern Japan is one of the regions most frequently affected by intense typhoons.
Observation data from this region play a significant role in predicting typhoon tracks and intensity.
Meisei ARS units are installed at key observation sites across Japan, where uninterrupted observations are essential even during strong winds and heavy rain.

Install results of New ARS
  • since 2025 01Kushiro
  • since 2025 02Wajima
  • since 2023 03Tateno
  • since 2017 04Hachijo Island
  • since 2026 05Matsue
  • since 2026 06Shionomisaki
  • since 2023 07Fukuoka
  • since 2023 08Kagoshima
  • since 2017 09Naze
  • since 2017 10Ishigaki Island
  • since 2017 11Minamidaito Island

Installation site names published with permission from JMA.