911-UWS

Ultrasonic Wind Sensor

Technical
Handbook

Commercial in Confidence MTECH Systems Pty Ltd 2006

911-UWS Ultrasonic Wind Sensor
Document Version 1.1 Page 1 of 14
 Table of contents

1 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 3

2 WARNINGS 4

3 DOCUMENT HISTORY 5

4 THEORY OF OPERATION 6

5 HARDWARE DESCRIPTION 7

6 EXTERNAL INTERFACE 8

6.1 Cable Connections 8

6.2 JUNCTION BOX 8

6.3 Serial Port Settings 8

6.4 Serial Output Format 9

6.5 Status/Error Codes: 10

7 INSTALLATION 11

7.1 911-GM Guyed Mast 11

7.2 911-FM Frangible Mast 11

8 MAINTENANCE AND TROUBLESHOOTING 12

8.1 Cleaning 12

8.2 Maintenance Procedures 12

8.3 Troubleshooting 12

9 MISCELLANEOUS 13

9.1 Warranty Information 13

9.2 Personnel Training Requirements 13

9.3 Testing Equipment and Special Tooling Requirements 13

10 FIELD CALIBRATION OF WIND DIRECTION 14

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1 Product Description
The 911-UWS Ultrasonic Wind Sensor is a high reliability ultrasonic sensor.

Wind speed and direction are output via serial communications, and low power requirements facilitate
inclusion in solar powered systems.

The sensor housing is primarily fabricated from stainless steel, and is ideal for coastal, military and aviation
applications, and readily integrates with the MTECH MITAS software for display and distribution of weather
data.

Figure 1: 911-UWS Wind Sensor

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911-UWS Ultrasonic Wind Sensor
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2 Warnings

There are no lethal voltages present in the unit under normal operational conditions.

Users are advised not to work on this equipment in the field during thunderstorm activity.

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3 Document History

Version Date Comment

0.1 2/11/2006 Internal release in new format
1.0 7/11/2006 First approved release
1.1 10/1/2006 SPSI Connections added

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4 Theory of Operation
The 911-UWS measures the times taken for an ultrasonic pulse of sound to travel from the North transducer
to the South transducer, and compares it with the time for a pulse to travel from S to N transducer. Likewise
times are compared between West and East, and East and West transducers.

If, for example, a North wind is blowing, then the time taken for the pulse to travel from N to S will be faster
than from S to N, whereas the W to E, and E to W times will be the same. The wind speed and direction
(and the speed of sound) can then be calculated from the differences in the times of flight on each axis. This
calculation is independent of factors such as temperature.

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5 Hardware Description
The body of the sensor is 56.6mm in diameter, mounted on a 4-hole pattern as per figure 2.

Figure 2: Sensor and Mounting

When the sensor is supplied as part of an MTECH AWOS, the sensor will be delivered with a bracket
arrangement for mounting.

The integrated cable incorporates both data and power. The cable should be protected from direct sunlight
where practical, and not kinked or stretched.

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6 External Interface

6.1 Cable Connections

The output from the sensor is RS422 serial communications. An appropriate device RS422 device is
required for interfacing with the AWOS, such as the MTECH SPSI device. The MTECH SPSI provides an
integrated interface incorporating a power supply for the sensor.

911-UWS Cable Connections:

Pair Colour Description SPSI DB9M
1 Green * TXB(+) 2
1 Black* TXA(-) 7
2 White^ RXB(+) 8
2 Black^ RXA(-) 3
3 Red@ Supply V+ (12VDC) 9
3 Black@ Supply V- (0VDC) 5
4 Blue Digital 0V 5

6.2 JUNCTION BOX

The junction box is fitted near the top of the pole. The fixed wiring runs up the pole to the junction box. The
911-UWS is fitted with a 1m length of cable. Refer to wiring diagram MA6441 at rear of manual.

6.3 Serial Port Settings

Baud rate: 9600
Data bits: 8
Stop bits: 1
Parity: None

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6.4 Serial Output Format

Data is output in ASCII Polar Format:

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6.5 Status/Error Codes:

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7 Installation
In general, the wind sensor should be in an elevated position, well clear of buildings, trees and other
obstructions to air flow.

For compliance with ICAO recommendations the wind sensor should be mounted 10m above the ground.
Extensive literature is available from ICAO, WMO and other sources with regard to siting of wind direction
masts in an aviation environment, please contact MTECH Systems for additional guidance.

MTECH AWOS systems typically mount the wind sensor on the 911-GM (Guyed Mast) or the 911-FM
(Frangible mast).

During installation the orientation of foundation and mast assembly must be such that the mounting bolt
pattern is correctly aligned with north. To compensate for any mistakes or inaccuracies during installation a
north offset can easily be applied at the MTECH AWOS server ultimately the accuracy of the wind sensor
will depend on how accurately the orientation of the sensor can be surveyed, post installation.

1
7.1 911-GM Guyed Mast
For 911-GM the sensor will simply bolt on to a cross arm, predrilled with bolt holes for mounting. The
lengthwise member of the cross arm provides a useful reference for measuring the alignment of the sensor
with a suitable compass (typically in tandem with binoculars).

2
7.2 911-FM Frangible Mast
For the 911-FM the sensor will mount on the U-bolt bracket. Orientation measurements with compass will
need to be taken directly from the ultrasonic transducers (which should be at N/S/E/W). This bracket
arrangement facilitates manual adjustment of north alignment.

1
Technical Handbook TH 911-GM Guyed Mast
2
Technical Handbook TH 9110-FM Frangible Mast

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8 Maintenance and Troubleshooting

8.1 Cleaning
If there is any build up of deposit on the unit, it should be gently cleaned with a cloth, moistened with soft
detergent. Solvents should not be used, and care should be taken to avoid scratching any surfaces. The
unit must be allowed to defrost naturally after being exposed to snow or icy conditions, do NOT attempt to
remove ice or snow with a tool. Do NOT remove black rubber transducer caps.

8.2 Maintenance Procedures

There are no moving parts or user-serviceable parts requiring routine maintenance.
Opening the unit or breaking the security seal will void the warranty and the calibration.
In the event of failure, prior to returning the unit to MTECH Systems check all cables and connectors for
continuity, bad contacts, corrosion, etc.

8.3 Troubleshooting

Symptom Solution
No output Check DC power to 911-UWS, cable and connections.
Check serial communications settings of serial devices attached to the 911-
UWS
Check that in- line communication devices are wired correctly.

NOTE: It is usual for Anemometer TX + to be connected to

converter device RX +

Corrupted output Check serial communications settings of serial devices attached to the 911-
UWS
Try a slower baud rate.
Check cable lengths and type of cable.
Check wiring is in accordance with the manual.

Failed / Incorrect Check that transducer path is not blocked

911-UWS output,
data invalid flag

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9 Miscellaneous

9.1 Warranty Information

12 months.

9.2 Personnel Training Requirements

Consult MTECH for training courses.

9.3 Testing Equipment and Special Tooling Requirements

Standard electronics technician tools
Multi-meter
Oscilloscope

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10 Field Calibration of Wind Direction

ICAO Annex 3 Attachment B quotes an operationally desirable accuracy for Wind Direction of +-10 degrees.
The MTECH Systems 911-UWS Wind Direction sensor is capable of measurements with accuracy an order
of magnitude better than this.

In the field, a number of factors limit the attainable accuracy of the system

Accuracy of measurement of the actual north direction using the chosen reference instrument
Angular alignment of the sensor relative to north
Random variation in magnetic north due to ionospheric and solar influences at the time of
calibration [ possibly up to 15 degrees ]
Declination and variation where the calibration is required relative to True North

Due to the cumulative effect of the above factors, a system calibration is required after installation.
Consequently to correct installation error an offset must be entered into the MITAS configuration file at the
server.

It is highly recommended that prior to or during system installation a Qualified Surveyor install a permanent
North Reference for the anemometer. At the server an adjustment can be made to switch between true
and magnetic north, using the MAGVAR parameter in the MITAS configuration file.

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