Skip to main content

In part one of Smart Sensor Benefits I mentioned some advantages that digital sensors have when integrating them with data acquisition devices. They allow for easy integration by providing “ready-to-use” measurement data. The sensors can also provide a richer data set than can be achieved with an analog sensor. In the case of Dyacon WSD wind sensors, current and averaged wind parameters are available.

Now With Gust!

Utilizing the smart sensor processor, Dyacon can expand the functionality of WSD and TPH sensors. As an example, WSD-1 now calculates gust in addition to current measurements, 2 minute average, and 10 minute average.

That is much easier to work with than a 0 V to 5 V output!

Spinning Wind Sensor

How Far Will You Go?

Dyacon WSD-1 and TPH-1 sensors use Modbus RS-485. A recent article in an engineering trade journal, Design World, touted the advantages of RS-485. One of the valuable benefits is the ability to transmit over long cable lengths, 1500 ft to 6000 ft (450 m to 1830 m). These are rough values and depend on the data rate, cable type, and electrical environment.

The data rate on Dyacon Modbus sensors, WSD-1 and TPH-1, is selectable from 1200 bps up to 38400 bps. This feature allows users to optimize the data rate for the specific application, balancing power usage with connection reliability over long cable runs.

What Flavor Would You Like?

Dyacon has been building customized electronic products for integrators for many years. Systems often need to be optimized for particular applications in order to provide the necessary functional benefits or market differentiation. If you have a special need that requires a particular data set or protocol, give us a call. We would be happy to work with you to emulate another device, adapt measurement algorithms, or provide you with a unique solution for your application whether industrial automation, wind power survey, or environmental data acquisition.

Eugene