Sensors - Pulsar

Both wind speed and direction are measured using an advanced ultrasonic sensor. The wind meter uses four ultrasonic sensors which take cyclical measurements in all directions. The resulting wind speed and direction are calculated from the measured run-time sound differential.

The wind sensor has no moving parts.

Heated sensor unit is available for installations subject to extreme winter weather.

Sensor included in Pulsar Weather Station models 601, 600, 501, 500, and 200 (wind only).

Wind Direction
Range: 1 - 359.9°
Accuracy: < 3° RMSE > 1.0 m/s

Wind Speed
Range: 0 - 75 m/s (601: 0 to 30 m/s)
Accuracy: ±0.3 m/s or ±3% (0 - 35 m/s); ±5% (>35 m/s)
Resolution: 0.1 mph (0.1 m/s)

Air pressure is measured using a MEMS capacitive sensor.

Temperature measurement utilizes a precision NTC element.

Relative Humidity is measured by means of a capacitive sensor element.

Sensors are mounted in a fan-aspirated and ventilated radiation-protective housing.

Sensors included in Pulsar Weather Station models 800, 700, 601, 600, 502, 501, 500, and 400.

Air Pressure
Measuring Range: 300 to 1200 hPa
Accuracy: ±0.5 hPa (0 to 40°C)

Temperature
Measuring Range: -50 to +60°C
Accuracy: ±0.2°C (-20°C to +50°C) otherwise ±0.5°C (>-30°C)

Relative Humidity
Measuring Range: 0 - 100% RH
Accuracy: ±2% RH

Pulsar Weather Station model 501 integrates the world-renowned Kipp+Zonen CMP3 thermopile sensor which measures the solar energy that is received from the total solar spectrum and the whole hemisphere (180 degrees field of view). The output is expressed in Watts per meter square.

Rated ISO 9060:1990 Second Class, it is intended for shortwave global solar radiation measurements in the spectral range from 300 to 2800 nm. The thermopile detector measures irradiance up to 2000 W/m² with response time <18 seconds and typical sensitivity 10 µV/W/m² that varies less than 5 % from -10 ºC to +40 ºC.

Pulsar Weather Station models 800,700 and 502 use a silicon photodiode radiation sensor.

Solar Radiation (model 501 )
Response time (95%): <18s
Non-stability (change/year): <1%
Non-linearity (0 to 1,000 W/m2): <1%
Directional error (at 80° with 1,000 W/m2): <20 W/m2
Temperature dependence of sensitivity: ±5% (-10 to +40°C)
Tilt error at 1,000 W/m2: <1%
Spectral range (50% points): 300 to 2800 nm
Maximum irradiance: 1400 W/m2

Solar Radiation (models 800, 700, 502 )
Response time (95%): <1 s
Unit: W/m2
Accuracy: 5%
Spectral range (50%points): 300 to 1100 nm
Measuring range: 1400 W/m2

Doppler Radar -- Pulsar Weather Station models 800, 700, 600, 400, and 100

Precipitation is measured by a 24 GHz Doppler radar which measures the drop speed of an individual drop of rain or snow. Precipitation quantity and intensity are calculated from the correlation between drop size and speed. The Doppler Radar sensor is able to sense (measure) rain drops size between 0.3 mm and 5.0 mm. The sensor is fast responding with a resolution of 0.0004 inches (0.01 mm).

The Pulsar 100 Model also differentiates sleet, freezing rain and hail.

Tipping Bucket -- Pulsar Weather Station model 601 only

Precipitation is measured by tipping spoon and tipping bucket processes. The flexible tipping bucket allows a 0.2mm or 0.5mm resolution of the rainfall.

Optionally, the 601 also can be equipped with a leaf wetness sensor.

Precipitation

Doppler Radar Model 600
Measuring Range: Drop size 0.3 - 5mm
Resolution 0.01 mm
Reproducibility: typ>90%
Type: Rain / Snow

Doppler Radar Model 100
Measuring Range: Drop size 0.3 - 5mm
Resolution 0.01 mm
Accuracy: ±0.16mm or ±10% of measured value of liquid precipitation
Type: Rain / Snow / Sleet / Freezing Rain / Hail

Tipping Bucket (model 601)
Accuracy: ±2%
Resolution 0.2 mm / 0.5 mm

Wind Speed
Measuring Range: 0-75 m/s (WS601: 0 to 30 m/s)
Accuracy: ±0.3 m/s or ±3% (0 to 35 m/s); ±5% (>35 m/s)
Resolution: 0.1 mph (0.1 m/s)

Wind Direction
Measuring Range: 0-359.9°
Accuracy: < 3° RMSE > 1.0 m/s

Solar Radiation (model 501 only)
Response time (95%): 18s
Non-stability (change/year): >1%
Non-linearity (0 to 1,000 W/m²): >1%
Directional error (at 80° with 1,000 W/m2): >20 W/m²
Temperature dependence of sensitivity: ±5% (-10 to +40°C)
Tilt error at 1,000 W/m²: >1%
Spectral range (50% points): 300 to 2,800 nm
Maximum irradiance: 1,400 W/m²

Solar Radiation (models 700, 800)
Response time (95%): <1s
Accuracy: 5%
Spectral range: 300 to 1100 nm
Measuring range: 1400 W/m²

Lightning Detection (model 800 only)
Lightning Detection: Number of lightning events
Coverage area: 5-10 km

Air Pressure
Measuring Range: 300 to 1200 hPa
Accuracy: ±0.5 hPa (0 to 40°C)

Temperature
Measuring Range: -50 to +60°C
Accuracy: ±0.2°C (-20°C to +50°C) otherwise ±0.5°C (>-30°C)

Relative Humidity
Measuring Range: 0 - 100% RH
Accuracy: ±2% RH

Precipitation

Doppler Radar (model 100)
Measuring Range: Drop size 0.3 - 5mm
Resolution 0.01 mm
Accuracy: ±0.16mm or ±10% of measured value of liquid precipitation
Type: Rain / Snow / Sleet / Freezing Rain / Hail

Doppler Radar (model 400, 600, 700, 800)
Measuring Range: Drop size 0.3 - 5 mm
Resolution 0.01 mm
Reproducibility: typ>90%
Type: Rain / Snow

Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge (model 601 only)
Accuracy: ±2%
Resolution 0.2 mm / 0.5 mm