MEDAC/SC: a third generation meteor echo detection and collection system

Discusses the implementation of the University of Colorado´s third generation meteor echo detection add collection (MEDAC) system. MEDAC is a PC-based instrument package designed to obtain upper atmosphere wind profiles in conjunction with a host doppler radar. MEDAC/SC is a single card version of the system, which improves reliability, simplifies useability, and increases configuration flexibility. The meteor detection algorithm used by the card has been improved to dynamically adjust to the prevailing noise level and is less likely to respond to nonmeteor targets. To support the hardware, a preemptive multitasking control program with a graphical user interface has been developed. This interface incorporates the experiences gained over the last five years operating MEDAC in remote locations by personnel of widely varying technical backgrounds. Postprocessing of the data involves the estimation of each echo´s signal-to-noise ratio, doppler velocity, and direction of arrival