Brainboxes compact, lightweight and high-performance Pure Embedded Ethernet switches transmit data more reliably, in real-time, while significantly minimising impact on payload weights and sizes.

 

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the global average atmospheric CO₂ level reached 422.99 parts per million (ppm) in August 2024*, setting a new record high and highlighting the critical importance of ongoing atmospheric monitoring to understand and address the impacts of climate change.

Against these global climate challenges, weather balloon missions have taken on unprecedented importance in gathering critical meteorological data at various altitudes within Earth’s atmosphere.

Recent technological advancements have led to smart, long-duration weather balloons capable of flying hundreds of times longer than traditional weather balloons to circumnavigate the globe collecting critical weather data from areas previously under-sampled or missed altogether. Brainboxes Pure Embedded Ethernet switches, available in both 10/100 and Gigabit versions, allow optimised data transmission in weather balloon applications in several key ways.

Pure Embedded Ethernet switches stand out for their exceptionally compact and lightweight design, crucial for weather balloon payloads which have strict space and weight limitations. Measuring just 55x55x10mm – smaller than a standard business card – these embedded Ethernet switches are the perfect solution for applications where every millimetre of space and every ounce of weight matter, allowing maximised use of limited payload space, and enabling the inclusion of additional scientific instruments without compromising on networking capabilities.

Despite their small size, Pure Embedded Ethernet switches are expertly engineered to withstand extreme conditions, operating reliably in temperatures ranging from -40°C to +85°C. This durability is essential for weather balloon missions, which expose equipment to harsh environmental conditions including rapid temperature changes and high-altitude pressures.

Advanced weather telemetry systems can save over 500 megatons of carbon emissions by improving ship and plane routing and accelerating the transition to renewable energy. Innovative designs, such as automatic valves that release helium at set pressures for controlled descents below 10 m/s, not only increase measurement quality but also enable data collection from the same air column twice. The high data throughput of Brainboxes Pure Embedded Gigabit switches ensures real-time transmission of this increased data volume, preserving all valuable information.

Pure Embedded Ethernet switches fill a crucial gap in the market between traditional embedded boards and chips, offering a cost-effective solution that doesn’t compromise on performance. This is particularly valuable in weather balloon applications, where budget constraints often compete with the need for high-quality data collection.

For telemetry systems, where choices are often limited by factors such as altitude restrictions for cellular systems or the high costs of satellite-based solutions, Brainboxes Pure Embedded Ethernet switches offer board-to-board and board-to-cable connection options, providing the flexibility needed for different requirements and budgets.

Much like with subsea vehicles and drones where compact size and light weights are essential to the engineering design process, every ounce saved in the core components of a weather balloon payload translates to increased capacity for scientific instruments or extended flight duration. This emphasis on miniaturisation and weight reduction mirrors trends in other cutting-edge fields, highlighting the broad applicability of lightweight, high-performance networking solutions across various industries.

Brainboxes offers a 10-year stability guarantee for its Pure Embedded Ethernet switches, meaning the design will remain available and unchanged for at least a decade from launch. For industries relying on futureproofed, consistent performance—such as atmospheric research, industrial automation, or critical infrastructure monitoring—this guarantee is invaluable, ensuring that systems designed today will continue to function without the need for redesigns or replacements due to component obsolescence.

Brainboxes Pure Embedded Ethernet switches represent a significant advancement in networking technology for weather balloon telemetry and beyond. Their compact and lightweight design, robust performance, and long-term stability makes them an ideal solution for a wide range of applications where space is limited but data transmission demands are high. As we continue to face environmental challenges, such innovative technologies will be crucial in our efforts to monitor, understand, and address the impacts of climate change.

 

* National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Global Monitoring Laboratory. “Trends in Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide.” Updated 2024.