Visibility and Present Weather Sensor lens's downward design effectively reduces stray light interference

Visibility and Present Weather Sensor uses the forward scattering method to measure the total extinction coefficient of air and calculate visibility. It can identify various weather phenomena such as fog, rain, snow, mixed precipitation, and clear skies, with a recognition rate of over 95%. It is widely used in road traffic, meteorological observation, and environmental protection industries.

Visibility and Present Weather Sensor is a device integrating multiple sensing technologies, capable of real-time monitoring and identification of weather phenomena such as rainfall, snowfall, and fog/haze. This device uses the forward scattering method to measure the total extinction coefficient of air and then calculates the current visibility value. In terms of measurement range, the Visibility and Present Weather Sensor can reach 20 kilometers, with a resolution of 1 meter. The measurement error is ±2% within 2 kilometers, ±5% between 2 and 10 kilometers, and ±10% above 10 kilometers, with a repeatability of no more than 4%. The weather phenomenon recognition rate is no less than 95%, and the weather types that can be identified include fog, rain, snow, mixed precipitation, and clear skies.

Visibility and Present Weather Sensor is designed with long-term outdoor use in mind in its appearance and hardware configuration. The instrument casing is made of high-quality aluminum, anodized and painted, providing excellent waterproof, dustproof, and impact-resistant properties. The transmitting and receiving lenses are designed to face downwards, effectively reducing interference from sunlight and other stray light on the measurement results. A built-in watchdog circuit ensures reliability and stability during extended outdoor operation. Both the communication and power interfaces include surge protection to reduce damage from lightning strikes and static electricity.

Regarding power supply and communication, the Visibility and Present Weather Sensor supports a wide voltage range of 12 to 24 volts, with a total power consumption of approximately 1 watt, resulting in extremely low power consumption. It can be powered long-term using solar panels or batteries. The digital interface supports RS485 or RS232, using the standard MODBUS protocol, requiring no additional protocol adaptation. The instrument can directly output visibility values for 15 seconds, 1 minute, and 10 minutes, which can be read without configuration. The operating temperature range is -40 to 60 degrees Celsius, and the operating humidity range is 0 to 100% RH. The overall dimensions are 610 mm × 230 mm × 360 mm, and the weight is no more than 10 kg.

In the road traffic sector, the Visibility and Present Weather Sensor can be used for visibility monitoring of transportation facilities such as highways, airports, and railways, helping traffic management departments to take timely measures to ensure traffic safety. In the meteorological observation field, it can provide meteorological departments with accurate visibility and weather phenomenon data. In the environmental protection field, it can be used for haze monitoring and air quality assessment. This equipment can also be used in ports, waterways, ships, drilling platforms, and automatic weather stations. With its low power consumption, high reliability, and multi-scenario adaptability, the Visibility and Present Weather Sensor has become an important tool in meteorological monitoring and traffic safety assurance.