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DyaconLive: Local Weather Data for Professional Weather Station Users

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*Note: This is the fourth blog post on DyaconLive as we try to keep users up to date on current features. You can read parts 1, 2, and 3, but this post should be sufficient for most users.*

DyaconLive is an ad-free weather station web portal designed and programmed by Dyacon staff. DyaconLive allows users to view real-time, historical, and forecast data related to their Dyacon weather stations. All cell phone and WiFi Dyacon stations are compatible with DyaconLive. Even cable-connected weather stations can upload data to DyaconLive using Dyacon Weather Connect software.

Weather Reports and Forecast

With the DyaconLive web portal, you can view real-time weather data, forecasts, and other weather reports. Take a look at this Dyacon factory station at the USU Cross Country Track in Logan, UT for an example:

You can see the current wind speed, gust, and direction, as well as the temperature, humidity, precipitation levels. Soil temperature, soil moisture, rain gauge, and solar sensors can also be viewed on DyaconLive if your weather station is equipped with these sensors.

DyaconLive can also generate a number of specific reports, such as Grow Degree Days, Irrigation (including evapotranspiration and net water), and Fire Risk.

To receive prior day weather report summaries and forecasts in your email inbox every morning, enable the new Daily Email feature on DyaconLive.

Aviation Mode

DyaconLive also offers an aviation mode specialized for aviation weather users. The mode provides data for altimeter setting, density altitude, estimated cloud base, runway indication, and more.

Above is an example of the DyaconLive aviation console mode for a Dyacon weather station installed at the Preston Airport in Preston, ID.

Maintenance Management and System Information

Weather stations need occasional service to ensure they continue to function both properly and efficiently. For professional users, maintenance tasks compete for time and resources. DyaconLive has a solution: the Maintenance Management system.

The maintenance management system allows technicians to enter their own service schedule for the various sensors. Notifications are visible at the top of the Status page. Activities can be recorded on a data entry form. Site equipment is tracked in a table at the bottom. A little routine attention will assure a reliable meteorological station and a long service life.

If you have any other questions about DyaconLive, feel free to give us a call at (435) 753-1002, or send us an email to sales@dyacon.com.

Quick-Deployment Tripod Overview

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Dyacon has recently released a new product: the quick-deployment tripod, or QDT-1. It is a rugged field tripod designed with seasonal and temporary weather station applications in mind, such as aviation, wild land fire management, public or athletic events, and environmental data collection. It is made of 5052 and 6061 aluminum, steel fasteners, and nylon slide components.

Dyacon QDT-1, Retracted Tripod MastSince it can be deployed in a matter of seconds and does not require extra tools or equipment to set up (except possibly a hammer to implement ground stakes), the quick-deployment tripod is a practical solution for short-term, provisional implementation. QDT-1 is equipped with adjustable leg extensions to facilitate deployment on uneven surfaces, up to a 12% slope.

QDT vs. Tripod-1

So how does the quick-deployment tripod compare to our other signature tripod, Tripod-1?

Tripod-1 is a robust mounting structure constructed of machined and welded aluminum. It is intended for permanent and semi-permanent installations.

Tripod-1 legs can be adjusted up to a 13% slope, just one percent more than QDT-1. Though Tripod-1 comes with a wrench to adjust the cable clips, no other tools are needed to assemble the tripod.

Tripod-1 uses a modular construction of 3 ft (~1 m) pipe segments for the legs and mast. The standard 7-segment version can reach a height of about 15 ft (4.8 m). A taller 10-segment version is also available. QDT-1 reaches a maximum mast height of about 9 ft (~3 m).

Both QDT-1 and Tripod-1 are lightweight and portable, but QDT is only 12.6 lbs, compared to Tripod-1 at more than twice that weight.

QDT-1 primarily provides a professional option for temporary installations where rapid deployment and simplicity are required.

If you need further assistance determining which tripod is best suited for your needs, or if you need a customized solution, contact us here.

Reliable On-Site Weather Data for Small Aviation Users

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Pilots and passengers alike are well aware that weather plays a significant part in planning a flight route. It’s important to have reliable on-site aviation weather data, especially for aircraft performance and safety purposes. For smaller and more rural airports, it can be a bit difficult to find nearby weather stations.

Rather than deploy expensive AWOS or ASOS weather stations that require considerable cost and effort to maintain, small aviation users should look towards “advisory” weather stations that are both accessible and reliable. A sufficient weather station should be one that collects and delivers real-time, local aviation weather data, while being practical and cost-effective.

Dyacon has a solution for private and rural sites that can be deployed and maintained by pilots, no contract engineers required. If you can set up your home router, you can install a Dyacon weather station.

The MS-130 weather station was specifically configured for aviation applications: small aviation users, rural airports, etc. When combined with a Dyacon tripod, Dyacon weather stations are portable, which allows you to relocate them for seasonal or temporary landing strips.

Dyacon weather station data can be easily accessed with your cell phone using either SMS or a web browserWeather stations can also be cable connected to a local computer, providing an alternative or redundant option. The Pilot’s Guide provides more information on the specifics of instrumentation and accessibility.

The DyaconLive web portal is our very own software, designed and programmed by Dyacon staff. The web portal includes two aviation modes. These show altimeter setting, density altitude, estimated cloud base, and a wind rose overlaid with a runway indicator. This data can be useful for pilots and passengers alike.

Weather Connect is a Windows program for cable-connected installation. The program shows a weather station console and can upload weather data to DyaconLive. It can also distribute the data to other computers on your network. Like DyaconLive, Weather Connect also employs an Aviation Mode. Weather Connect can be used for on-site aviation support.

Dyacon professional weather stations have been placed at several different rural airports around the country, such as Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Texas, New Mexico, Virginia. Click on the links below to view real-time weather data for some of these locations:

Preston, ID

Blackfoot, ID

Fredonia, AZ

WyldwoodTX (Near Austin, TX)

West Glacier, MT

Buckingham, VA

 

Burned Weather Station

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Every weather station company has their own stories about equipment caught in wildfires, to which we add our own.

USDA-ARS deployed a Dyacon weather station in the Red Cliff Reserve, a protected area near St. George, Utah. The weather station was located at a research plot used to study methods for replanting vegetation following damage, such as wildfires.
Well, the time to apply any lessons learned may be now.
I received a call from the principal researcher one morning, indicating that the weather station was sending erroneous data. He indicated that the weather station was likely caught in the wildfire that was reported in the area.
The following pictures indicate the damage.
   
Salvageable
The plastic components are all burned. However, the fiberglass enclosure for the weather station controller (data logger) may be reusuable and the circuit board was operating until the battery ran down.
The field tripod is battle scarred, but can be re-used.
The rain gauge leveling bracket and mounting post may be the only things that can be recovered from that instrument.
The anemometer cups are melted, but the anodized aluminum construction makes it very robust. Changing the cups and cable should be all that is required to put it back in service.

Why Dyacon MDL-700 Data Logger?

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Data Logger Problems

Data loggers are relatively esoteric devices, utilized by a narrow field of experts for industrial and research activities. Each data logger has its unique characteristics, differences in I/O, accessories, programming language, power profile, and cost. Of these, the complexity and cost can be intimidating, forcing new users to explore alternatives.

The growing availability of capable project boards, such as Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, Arduino, and others has changed the value proposition for data loggers. Budget-conscious researchers and professionals have found that these cheap embedded platforms can be programmed using familiar (or easy-to-learn) languages. Open-source tools, a broad range of peripherals, and community support add to the attraction.

Even though general purpose project boards may be a good starting point, they are optimized to be cheap and compact, not robust industrial platforms. Project boards may fail when low-power, wide operating temperature range, robust memory, or multiple sensor inputs are needed.

A national environmental monitoring program is an ongoing case study of the above trend and challenges. Program managers are currently soliciting bids to replace their existing custom data loggers. The BeagleBone project board has been selected as the basis for the new product because it offers good processing power, a wealth of I/O, and open-source safety. However, BeagleBone cannot meet the sensor input, power robustness, connectivity, and operating temperature range requirements.

To correct these deficiencies, they have launched a large development project to create a robust (and proprietary) version of the project board. Even with this effort, two additional peripheral boards are needed to augment the power and I/O limitations. This custom development project is expected to cost in excess of $500,000, just for the design work.

This new data logger is supposed to be ready to deploy next year. We’ll have to see how it goes.

For user’s not backed by government money, a different solution is needed.

MDL Proposition

So, what’s an alternative that balances the value and flexibility of a project board with the robust features of a conventional data logger?

Dyacon MDL-700 was developed specifically to address this space.

The following table may illustration the differences.
1 – Indicates that the platform is likely to meet the requirement.
2 – Indicates that the feature is possible or available in some variants.
3 – Indicates that the feature is unavailable or uncommon.

Low score wins.

Data logger users will likely take issue with the lumping of all data loggers together. There is no question that Campbell Scientific’s CR1000X and ThermoFisher’s dataTaker DT8 are formidable products with a wealth of highly-optimized features and a number of variants. But, even with these features, they fall short for those seeking an open-source knowledge base, Linux capability, robust programmability, extensive connectivity, and mid-range cost.

In the end, it is a matter of selecting the right tool for the job. MDL-700 adds a value proposition to the range of options and we hope that we can serve your needs.

Eugene

*Dyacon’s own Chris Cox has developed two open-source Python data logger projects, dataBear, and pyMDL. DataBear is a platform-neutral data logger program that can run on any Linux computer. PyMDL adds hardware-specific functionality for Dyacon MDL-700. Both projects are active and ongoing.

Dyacon MDL-700 with Serial Expansion Module

What is a Data Logger?

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Device Names

A data logger (or datalogger) is a device that retrieves data from sensors and stores it for later retrieval. While the word “datalogger,” and its variants (“logger,” “data recorder,” “programmable data logger”), are common in the environmental monitoring industry, other industries sometimes use slightly different terminology.

For laboratory settings, a “data acquisition system” (DAQ or DAS) is a common description. These are typically bench-top instruments and may be focused on high frequency, or specialized data measurements. The connectors, enclosure, and operating temperature are intended for indoor applications.

In the industrial sector, “data recorder” or “process recorder” might be used to monitor ongoing automation system activities. The data recorder in conjunction with the software has been given the verbose description of “operational historian”. Regardless of the differences in terminology, the basic idea is to measure and store data from sensors.

Common Data Logger Features

Data logger features can vary substantially, with different designs for specific applications and cost constraints. However, a general purpose data logger typically has some features that go beyond simply measuring and storing data. These features include:

  • Structured data storage (example: CSV)
  • Broad sensor electrical and protocol compatibility (analog, digital, pulse, frequency)
  • Scheduled and programmable measurements
  • Basic processing of raw data, such as average, min, max

Data Storage

Data storage can be as simple as the raw numbers in a text file, but generally there is structure such as an associated time stamp. These may be stored as columns in a CSV file. Storage of metadata (equipment used, units, and so forth) is also important to record.

Sensor Compatibility

It is difficult for manufacturers to design a device that is compatible with every possible sensor, but general purpose data loggers support a broad range of digital and analog sensor outputs.

Data loggers may be limited by the number of ports on a device, program inflexibility, and incompatibility with sensor output type. This means that data logger hardware must be evaluated in conjunction with the sensors required for a particular application.

Programmability

Sensor measurements typically occur on a schedule that ranges from milliseconds to hours, depending on the application. Programmable data loggers allow for adjusting measurement schedule. Often calculated values, such as minimum, maximum, and average can be stored.

Advanced Data Logger Features

More sophisticated general purpose data loggers have a number of advanced features:

  • Concurrent sensor measurement timing
  • Advanced programmability
  • Data quality monitoring
  • Sensor equipment controls
  • Data transmission
  • Field Serviceability

Measurement Timing

Timing of measurements is often crucial for data interpretation and advanced data logger software is structured to execute measurements concurrently rather than sequentially. For example, if two sensors are connected to the data logger and one of the sensors requires 10 seconds to perform a measurement while the other sensor only requires 1 second, the faster measurement should not wait for the slower measurement to finish. Concurrent execution enables both measurements to stay on schedule.

Timing can also be important for the operation of secondary sensor equipment like wipers on optical sensors and sensor heaters. Advanced data loggers can control secondary equipment and be programmed to activate it on a schedule or in response to events.

Advanced Programmability

Data loggers have a wide variety of user interfaces. Many programmable data loggers use a proprietary script language or configuration wizard. Proprietary software tools will facilitate configuration, data collection, and data visualization, but may limit program flexibility. Whereas a data logger built from a small micro-controller device like Arduino may have more flexibility, but will require high-level programming skills to configure and collect data.

Data Quality Monitoring

Advanced programmability allows users to perform data quality monitoring at the point of measurement. The data logger can then react to sensor readings by initiating a new measurement, resetting a device, or sending alerts to operators.

Control Output

Some data loggers also include control outputs, allowing them act on measurement conditions, such as turning off a pump when water level reaches a set point.

Data Transmission

Historically, getting the data off of the data logger has required a manual task involving connecting the device to a computer and transferring files using proprietary software. Modern data loggers use automatic data transmission via the internet, cell phone, satellite, or radio. Data transmission enables live monitoring of the data collection and automatic data monitoring helps ensure the data is immediately useful. Real-time transmissions ensure that operational problems can be rapidly identified and addressed.

Field Serviceability

Field serviceability is critical for environmental data loggers. They are often deployed in remote locations. Any features that limit the equipment required for service or facilitate troubleshooting will result in time and cost savings to the user, as well as improve up-time.

An LCD or OLED display can allow for better on-site system monitoring and troubleshooting.

In addition, a user input method is a necessary companion to the display. Even paging through current measurements or error codes can be an invaluable aid to field service technicians.

Animal damage, weather damage, and normal wear and tear will damage cables. Field serviceable connectors can be important for unexpected repairs.

Overall, system design that minimizes tools, cables, software, and equipment required for field activities is an important design priority.

Dyacon MDL-700

This spring, Dyacon is introducing the MDL-700, a fully featured data logger that is modular in design to accommodate a wide range of applications. One unique feature of the MDL is the Linux operating system. Rather than using proprietary software that offers a limited number of features, the MDL can be programmed however the user desires. It is compatible with languages like C and Python out of the box.

We also provide open-source Python based software (pyMDL – https://github.com/dyacon/pyMDL) with the goal of implementing as much of the functionality discussed above as possible. PyMDL is still in early development stages, but should be usable by almost anyone by the time the MDL begins shipping to customers in March.

Since the software is open source, people are welcome to contribute new features or to take the code and customize it to their unique needs.

Summary

No tool is right for every job. Data loggers come in unique flavors for each application.

Please contact Dyacon if you have any data logger questions. We are happy to help if we can or refer you to another source if we can’t.

 

 

Gold and Black Wind Sensors

Ultrasonic and 3-cup Anemometers

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Tech Fascination

When a new technology comes out, it tends to get over-used. Often it is used where it makes a splash, but is impractical.

Blue LEDs for example. The light is a high-energy wavelength. When used on visual displays, such as in your car instrument panel, they can appear brighter than a red or yellow. Consequently, it may be difficult to tell whether the button your are pressing is defrost or A/C. And, speaking of cars, who likes the bright, blue HID head lights??

UAVs are another case in point. As a single-function toy, the shine often wears off before they crash. But, for an industrial user, UAVs can play a valuable role. The practical applications are still unfolding.

Ultrasonic Anemometers

The allure of new technology can be practical as well as trendy. Ultrasonic anemometers offer the potential to resolve vulnerabilities of mechanical anemometers; marketing information often promotes the lack of moving parts.

The notion of a static instrument determining wind speed and direction is rather intriguing. But in a professional environment, fascination for the latest tech must also be tempered with practicality.

Ultrasonic wind sensors are now available across the price spectrum, from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Like most things, you get what you pay for. Measuring the time-to-travel of a sound pulse is really rather rudimentary; electronics do timing very well. Most products work well on the bench or in “typical” conditions. It is reliability over the board range of conditions that exposes the weak from the strong, the good from the bad, and (generally) the cheap from the expensive.

In addition to the advantage of no moving parts, ultrasonic anemometers can be very compact. The small size can also make them easy to heat.

Since there is no mechanical inertia, ultrasonic anemometers can measure very low wind speeds. But, this does not mean that wind measurements are instantaneous, nor accurate. Conventional ultrasonics can experience spurious measurements at low wind speeds.

Due to the turbulent nature of air, sonic anemometers must take multiple measurements in order to provide a wind speed value. Multiple measurements are also necessary to eliminating noise, spurious measurements, and effects of transducer contamination. The number of sound pulses and numerical processing of these measurements will affect the final value produced.

In some sensors, the number of samples used for measurements is configurable. A 1 Hz rate (once per second) sample frequency is typical. Depending on the sampling and filtering, the resulting value may act similar to mechanical momentum.

Snow, rime, and rain are vulnerabilities of all wind measurement devices. For unheated sensors, the vulnerability isn’t much different and will be affected more by the mechanical design than the measurement technology.

Ultrasonic transducers are affected by rain. That is why most designs have the transducers mounted on a top “hat,” facing downward. Nevertheless, splashing of wind-blown rain inside of the measurement cavity may cause some disruption of the transducer and measurements.

Insects often like dark, protected spaces. Spiders like to suspend their webs between structural gaps. Depending on the insect environment, ultrasonic sensors can create inviting compartments. Bird contamination can also disrupt ultrasonics. The meteorological department of my state department of transportation abandoned ultrasonic anemometers for their highway monitoring due to these vulnerabilities.

While the technology itself may be “maintenance-free,” it does not mean that the equipment does not need to be serviced.

Finally, ultrasonic anemometers are typically expensive.

3-Cup Anemometer

In selecting the right tool for the job, “old” technology shouldn’t be eliminated from consideration.

While many ultrasonic anemometers claim to be “low-power,” they are no where close to mechanical anemometers. For example Dyacon WSD-1 with digital output only draws about 2 mA.  As a comparison, I am not aware of a sonic that is lower than 17 mA. Most that I have seen are in the 30 mA to 60 mA range.

In the power budget, one also has to consider the device that is reading the sensor. So, the anemometer is only part of the equation.

A fully operational Dyacon weather station with cell phone draws less than 30 mA average.

Why is power usage important? Because it impacts the cost of the full system and ongoing maintenance. More power means, larger battery, larger enclosure, larger solar panel, larger brackets, larger shipping boxes, higher shipping cost, and higher maintenance cost.

Birds and bugs typically have no effect on Dyacon wind sensors. A bird may perch on the top for a while, but, due to its slender design, it typically can’t be fouled by what they leave behind. The moving components and small gaps are not susceptible to insect fouling.

Ah, but, what about the wear components?

Unlike most wind vanes, Dyacon uses a magnetic sensor. The anemometer itself uses a reed switch. Both are non-contact elements. Yes, the bearings can become contaminated. A service interval of 3 to 5 years is recommended, depending on the environment. Until that time, all you have to do is visually ensure that the components are moving. This makes for intuitive troubleshooting.

Dyacon wind sensors are mechanically robust. Our sensors have survived a number of falls and bird impact. The cups are replaceable in the field. The aluminum mechanism ensures reparability, protecting the user’s investment.

Summary

Two main points:

  1. Select the right tool for the job. Both of the above technologies have their place.
  2. The wind sensor is only one piece of the system.

We strive to provide professional equipment for the commercial and industrial environment. Not only is our equipment robust, with good connectivity options, it is generally easy to use. This allows users to install, configure, and maintain the equipment, minimizing both down time and total cost of ownership.

Please drop us a note.

Eugene

Hurricane Test #1 – The Dorian Job

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Wind tunnel testing has its place, but the real-world can be a bit rougher, like hurricane Dorian rougher. Well, maybe that sound a little hyperbolic, but 84 mph wind is still quite a bit.

Our customer reported: “The two Dyacon met stations we currently have running made it unscathed through Hurricane Dorian that just hit us. Max recorded gust from the Dyacon stations was 37.4 m/s (84 mph). . . . Not sure if this is the first CAT 1 hurricane the sensors have been through, but thought you may be interested to know.”

Dyacon sensors have been tested beyond 84 mph on a mobile platform, but this was the first time we have seen this speed in the wild as part of a full weather station.

The map shows the location of the weather station in North Carolina.

USACE Station Map

The charts below are from DyaconLive. The peak gust measured was 37.4 m/s (83.7 mph). The maximum 10 min average at the same point was 26.9 m/s (60.2 mph).

USACE Huricane Dorian Wind Chart

The user has enabled the public page. So, you’re welcome to take a look at the weather station page.

USACE #2

The weather station configuration deployed at this site is Dyacon MS-130.

Eugene

Telematics-M2M-IoT

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Back Up (beep, beep, beep …)

For those of us that have been around the block a few times, it seems like the same (or slightly evolved) technology picks up new names every few years. An observer might think that there must be a Global Market Stimulation bureau somewhere dedicated to reinvigorating technology that they think should be adopted. (Or, maybe marketing people think we won’t noticed that they just changed the name on the same stuff.)

Dyacon began when the rugged, on-board computer products division was separated from the parent company. At the time (2007), the concept of automated data communications from a fixed or mobile asset was called telematics. This was intended to be a little more board than “telemetry,” which would typically just mean the transmission of measurement data.

Later, this evolved into machine-to-machine communication. That name was too long, so it was shortened to M2M, which sounds more trendy.

That still didn’t seem to capture the imagination of society, so Internet of Things was invented. Again, the name was too long, so it was initialized to IoT. Yet, my toaster is still dumb (which I prefer) and my car still has a cassette player (which I don’t prefer since it ate my Simon and Garfunkel Greatest Hits tape–now all it plays is silence). (If you didn’t get the “silence” reference, you probably haven’t heard “telematics” either.)

On-Board Vehicle Computers

Like general telemetry technology, mobile asset telematics has included a similar range of names and applications over the years including: AVL (automatic vehicle location), EOBR (electronic onboard recorder), and ELD (electronic log device).

Dyacon continues to design and manufacture open-programmable computer products for the vehicle telematics market. These products are now branded under ControlTrac.

CT650 is our latest on-board computer. Unlike off-the-shelf industrial computers, CT650 is purpose-built for the vehicle market. It utilizes automotive connectors, is sealed, and compact. The I/O is dedicated to in-vehicle telematics/M2M/IoT applications. So, you won’t find “desktop” on our box; these don’t hold up to the vibration, dust, and abuse of a vehicle environment.

CT650 uses our own custom build of Linux, leveraging the ease-of-use and versatility of an open system, while still providing for unique features. The embedded cell phone, embedded uninterruptible power supply, digital I/O, CANbus (SAE J1939), and multiple communication ports provide an all-in-one computer solution; no external converters or power supplies are required.

ControlTrac computers tie to the vehicle data bus (engine control module) and peripheral devices in order to monitor vehicle activity, operating parameters, and auxiliary sensors. Data may be communicated to the vehicle operator or transmitted by cell phone network or satellite.

Integrators

If the above makes sense, you probably recognize that CT650 is only one part of a larger system and integration project.

Dyacon onboard computers are sold to fleet service providers, which usually employ a team of software developers to provide a complete solution to the end users.

So, if you are providing asset management, road-weather information systems, mobile vehicle diagnostics, messaging, or routing information to fleet managers, Dyacon CT650 may be the right tool for your solution. ”

Eugene