The CAMEX-4 ER-2 High Altitude Dropsonde dataset was collected by the ER-2 High Altitude Dropsonde System (EHAD), which used dropwinsondes fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers to measure the atmospheric state parameters (temp, humidity, windspeed/direction, pressure) and location in 3 dimensional space during the sonde's descent once each half second. Measurements was transmitted to the aircraft from the time of release until impact with the ocean's surface.

The CAMEX-4 DC-8 Dropsonde System dataset was collected by the DC-8 Dropsonde System (D8D) uses dropwindsonde and Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers to measure the atmospheric state parameters (temperature, humidity, windspeed/direction, pressure, and location in 3 dimensional space during the sonde's descent once each half second. Measurements are transmitted to the aircraft from the time of release until impact with the ocean's surface.

The CAMEX-4 DC-8 Dropsonde System dataset was collected by the DC-8 Dropsonde System (D8D) uses dropwindsonde and Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers to measure the atmospheric state parameters (temperature, humidity, windspeed/direction, pressure, and location in 3 dimensional space during the sonde's descent once each half second. Measurements are transmitted to the aircraft from the time of release until impact with the ocean's surface.

The NAMMA DC-8 Dropsonde dataset were collected by the DC-8 dropsonde system, which uses an integrated, highly accurate, GPS-located atmospheric profiling dropsonde measuring and recording current atmospheric conditions in a vertical column below the aircraft. hese dropsondes, also known as dropwindsondes or parachute radiosondes, are small, lightweight (less than 1 lb) cylindrical instruments that fall freely through the atmosphere, slowed somewhat by a small inflatable parachute. These data files were generated during support of the NASA African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses (NAMMA) campaign, a field research investigation sponsored by the Science Mission Directorate of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This mission was based in the Cape Verde Islands, 350 miles off the coast of Senegal in west Africa. Commencing in August 2006, NASA scientists employed surface observation networks and aircraft to characterize the evolution and structure of African Easterly Waves (AEWs) and Mesoscale Convective Systems over continental western Africa, and their associated impacts on regional water and energy budgets.

CPEXAW-Dropsondes_1 is the dropsonde data files collected during the Convective Processes Experiment - Aerosols & Winds (CPEX-AW). Data collection for this product is complete. The Convective Processes Experiment – Aerosols & Winds (CPEX-AW) campaign was a joint effort between the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) with the primary goal of conducting a post-launch calibration and validation activities of the Atmospheric Dynamics Mission-Aeolus (ADM-AEOLUS) Earth observation wind Lidar satellite in St. Croix. CPEX-AW is a follow-on to the Convective Processes Experiment (CPEX) field campaign which took place in the summer of 2017. In addition to joint calibration/validation of ADM-AEOLUS, CPEX-AW studied the dynamics related to the Saharan Air Layer, African Easterly Waves and Jets, Tropical Easterly Jet, and deep convection in the InterTropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). CPEX-AW science goals include: • Better understanding interactions of convective cloud systems and tropospheric winds as part of the joint NASA-ESA Aeolus Cal/Val effort over the tropical Atlantic; • Observing the vertical structure and variability of the marine boundary layer in relation to initiation and lifecycle of the convective cloud systems, convective processes (e.g., cold pools), and environmental conditions within and across the ITCZ; • Investigating how the African easterly waves and dry air and dust associated with Sahara Air Layer control the convectively suppressed and active periods of the ITCZ; • Investigating interactions of wind, aerosol, clouds, and precipitation and effects on long range dust transport and air quality over the western Atlantic. In order to successfully achieve the objectives of the campaign, NASA deployed its DC-8 aircraft equipped with an Airborne Third Generation Precipitation Radar (APR-3), Doppler Aerosol WiNd Lidar (DAWN), High Altitude Lidar Observatory (HALO), High Altitude Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) Sounding Radiometer (HAMSR), and dropsondes. This campaign aims to provide useful material to atmospheric scientists, meteorologists, lidar experts, air quality experts, professors, and students. The Atmospheric Science Data Center (ASDC) archives the dropsonde, HALO, and DAWN data products for CPEX-AW. For additional datasets please visit the Global Hydrometeorology Resource Center (GHRC).

In support of CAMEX-3, numerous radiosonde and rawinsondes were launched from Andros Island, which consisted of instruments manufactured by VIS and Vaisala. Some sondes were GPS or LORAN located so that winds aloft could be determined without ground based tracking systems. Data from the sondes were used to validate several ground based instruments observing the lower troposphere.

The CAMEX-4 DC-8 Information Collection and Transmission System dataset was collected by the Information Collection and Transmission System (ICATS), which is designed to: 1) Interface and process avionics and environmental paramaters from the Navigational Management System, GPS, Central Air Data Computer, Embedded GPS/INS, and analog voltage sources from aircraft and experimenters, 2) Furnish engineering unit values of selected parameters and computed functions for real-time video display, and archive ASCII data at experimenter stations, 3) Archive engineering unit values of 'Appendix A' (to the ICATS document included with dataset documentation) on data storage for post flight retrieval.

The CAMEX-4 Aerosonde dataset contains temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure measurements collected to study the boundary layer below levels where traditional hurricane reconnasissance aircaft fly. The Aerosonde is an unmanned aerial vehicle with a wingspan of 2.9 meters (~9 feet) weighing approximately 14 kg (~31 lbs). Carrying a payload of air pressure, temperature and humidity probes, the aircraft can fly at altitudes from near the surface to 21,000 feet at speeds of 50-95 mph for periods of up to 30 hours. Controlled by dual computers and navigated by GPS, the Aerosonde is designed to economically collect meteorological data over a wide area.

The CAMEX-4 LIDAR Atmospheric Sensing Experiment (LASE) dataset was collected by the LASE instrument, which is an airborne DIAL (Differential Absorption Lidar) system used to measure water vapor, aerosols, and clouds throughout the troposphere. LASE operates by locking to a strong water vapor line and electronically tuning to any spectral position on the absorption line to choose the suitable absorption cross-section for optimum measurements over a range of water vapor concentrations in the atmosphere. During CAMEX-4, LASE operated from the NASA DC-8 using strong and weak water vapor lines in both the nadir and zenith modes, thereby simultaneously acquiring data below and above the aircraft.

The CAMEX-4 ER-2 Navigation data files contain information recorded by on board navigation and data collection systems. In addition to typical navigation data (e.g. date, time, lat/lon and altitude) these files contain outside meteorological parameters such as wind speed and direction and temperature. These ascii text files was recorded every second for the length of the sortie. Additionally, graphical representations of these measured parameters are shown in .gif files.