Advanced Sensor Network developed for Heathrow Airport incorporates Gill WindSonic Sensors

The WindSonic ultrasonic wind speed and direction sensor from Gill Instruments Ltd has been integrated into a low-cost air quality monitoring system currently deployed around London’s Heathrow Airport.The new project, led by the University of Cambridge with a range of partners including the Universities of Hertfordshire and Manchester, Imperial College, NPL and CERC and funded by NERC, has involved the development and deployment of a large-scale sensor network to understand and develop sophisticated computer models for air quality in the vicinity of the airport and accomplish the complex task of modelling air pollution within busy urban areas.Each of the 50 sensor nodes within the system monitors a range of air quality metrics using field based sensors. The project aims to create advanced large scale sensor networks incorporating the same technical capabilities as larger traditional systems, achieving a greater level of precision in modelling air quality.The Gill WindSonic provides critical real-time information regarding wind speed and direction, and is mounted to the top of each node. Other components measure temperature, humidity, levels of gases such as NO, NO2, CO, CO2, SO2, O3, VOCs and particle sizes of emissions. Built-in GPS positioning and GPRS communication electronics facilitate real-time data transfer.A critical requirement for the wind sensor was the ability to provide accurate wind direction measurement to identify source attribution, pinpointing the pollution hotspots around the airport. The sensor also needed to be strong enough to withstand the rapidly changing environmental conditions experienced year-round at the airport.WindSonic is well suited to the changing environmental extremes experienced at the airport. With no moving parts and a corrosion-free polycarbonate construction, the sensors provide reliable operation in harsh and changeable operating conditions without the requirement for frequent on-site maintenance.The sensor will monitor wind speeds up to 60m/s (134mph) and is suitable for operation in temperatures from -35ºC to +70ºC. Importantly, WindSonic is lightweight enough to be mounted to existing structures around the airport and is a viable alternative to typically less-reliable mechanical cup and vane or propeller based systems.“The WindSonic was chosen due to its robustness, low maintenance with no moving parts and its proven high quality performance” explained Professor Rod Jones of The University of Cambridge, who leads the project. “In addition, Gill Instruments are highly regarded with a reputation for manufacturing high quality, robust wind measurement devices.”The installation of the sensor nodes at Heathrow airport is underway, with initial sensor data measurements now being transmitted. The entire system is planned to be fully operational by the end of 2012.The Heathrow project represents a new paradigm for making environmental science observations, as the high density of sensors enables a level of precision in air quality modelling that has not previously been possible. It is anticipated that the outcomes of this project will have impact not only in terms of atmospheric science and the way the environment is measured but also more broadly potential legislative implications for maintaining urban air quality standards and its impact on health related issues.

Gill Instruments’ WindSonic Wind Sensor Increases Bridge Safety in North Florida

The Gill Instruments WindSonic ultrasonic wind speed and direction sensor is being used as part of a new traffic network designed to improve safety on bridges in North Florida.The sensors are being installed on 22 bridges as part of the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization’s Intelligent Transportation Systems program.Each wind sensor constantly monitors the wind speeds on the bridge and feeds the data through NOAA satellites to the FDOT. However, planners said the technology will be the most useful during severe weather. This summer, transportation planners are hoping that information will stream right to the laptops of JSO officers and other sheriff’s deputies in the area so that they know exactly when to shut down a bridge because of high winds.“We are starting to incorporate science into the decision and we are also able to share that information ahead of time on a scientific basis,” explained FDOT ITS Engineer Peter Vega, who is working on the project.Because they have access to second by second readings from the sensors, traffic planners will be able to see if the winds are getting worse or dying down, which will allow them to have a plan in place before winds become too dangerous for drivers.“Folks can get cut off very quickly if a bridge does close,” said Jeff Sheffield, Director of the North Florida TPO. “So it’s very important to understand the conditions and know how long we can maintain traffic flow on those bridges during these events.”Gill Instruments supplied the WindSonic sensors through Microcom Design Inc., based in Hunt Valley, MD, USA earlier this year.

Gill Instruments Case Study Featured in AWE International

AWE International magazine, which is focused on the environmental analysis industry, recently featured Gill Instruments in a case study about environmental monitoring with solid-state meteorological instruments.The case study includes information about all of the products within the Gill Instruments range, with information about their advantages within the environmental analysis field. We have re-published the contents of the case study below.Gill Instruments Case Study: “Environmental Monitoring with Solid-State Meteorological Instruments” (AWE International, March 2012)Gill Instruments Ltd supplies a wide range of meteorological instruments for environmental analysis, for applications such as pollution control, agriculture, power generation, structural analysis, defence and aviation. The range of products has evolved over a twenty-five year period and now consists of a wide range of two-axis and three-axis ultrasonic wind sensors, compact multi-sensor weather stations, real-time monitoring software and display equipment.One of the core advantages of Gill’s range of instruments is the solid-state nature of all of the devices. Traditional cup and vane or propeller wind sensors, where the cup or propeller typically spin on an axis proportional to the wind speed, can prove unreliable in certain extreme environmental conditions due to the failure of the mechanical moving parts. Gill equipment, by contrast, has no moving parts, thereby increasing product reliability and reducing the requirement for routine maintenance and/or repair, which can be especially difficult and costly in remote monitoring locations.The Gill WindSonic is a popular low-cost Ultrasonic Wind Sensor currently used in thousands of applications globally. Capable of monitoring wind speed and direction, the WindSonic is suitable for measuring wind speeds of up to 60m/s. With a corrosion-free polycarbonate housing, this low-cost device is a viable alternative to mechanical wind sensors.The WindObserver Wind Sensor range also features ultrasonic wind measurement technology, with extended wind speed and operating temperature capabilities allowing use in more extreme environmental conditions. The Extreme Weather WindObserver has a full stainless-steel construction for supreme corrosion resistance and powerful heating elements in the sensor head to allow reliable use in most freezing weather conditions. Capable of monitoring wind speed and direction at wind speeds of up to 75m/s, this product is proven to provide accurate, reliable wind speed and direction data no matter what the environment. Other products within the WindObserver range include an intrinsically safe variant for use in hazardous areas such as offshore oil platforms and an FAA approved variant for airport weather monitoring.In some applications it is necessary to monitor turbulent air flows in three axes. Such applications include bridge safety systems, wind farm site performance surveys and flux analysis sites. Gill Instruments offers a range of 3-axis Ultrasonic Wind Sensors suitable for most applications where measuring the vertical flow component is required.The WindMaster range is capable of monitoring wind speeds up to 45 or 65m/s, with either an aluminium/carbon fibre or full stainless steel body. The R3 range has a similar construction to the WindMaster, with a faster update rate of up to 100Hz making it suitable for use in most scientific research applications. The HS range offers the same high levels of specification and functionality as the R3 range, with a unique horizontal head configuration that allows for highly accurate vertical flow analysis with minimal flow interruption from the sensor geometry.While capturing wind speed and direction data is essential in most environmental air monitoring applications, it is often necessary to combine this with other measurable environmental parameters to gain a full understanding of conditions. Variables such as wind speed and direction, air temperature, humidity, dew point and rainfall are regularly used to determine both present weather and to predict future changes in climate. Over the past few years Gill has introduced a number of compact, multi sensor weather stations to aid in environmental monitoring and weather forecasting. The MetPak II combines the WindSonic wind speed and direction sensor with a barometric pressure sensor and temperature/humidity probe housed in a naturally aspirated radiation shield. Supplied with Gill MetView software, users can monitor environmental conditions in real time on a single intuitive screen.The MetPak II Remote features the same measurement sensors, however the wind speed and direction sensor can be mounted remotely, up to 10m away from the main weather station housing. MetPak II Remote has been designed for applications where remote monitoring of wind speed and direction is essential.MetPak Pro is the latest compact weather station from Gill, launched during 2011. This device offers the same standard performance characteristics as the MetPak II, with the ability to expand the system and connect up to four external devices (temperature sensor, rain gauge, water level sensor, pyranometer, soil temperature sensor etc). This is particularly suitable for users looking to monitor a specific group of environmental variables with one system.With over 25 years’ experience supplying products into environmental monitoring applications, Gill Instruments Ltd is widely acknowledged as a leader in the field of solid-state meteorological instruments and equipment. Gill continues to innovate and develop new products to address environmental requirements, with two new 2-axis wind sensors due early in 2012.

Gill WindSonic Used On Robotic Mower

Gill WindSonic ultrasonic wind sensor provides wind speed and direction data for positioning system on robotic mower.Since its launch in 2002 the Gill WindSonic ultrasonic wind sensor has been used in a wide range of applications and has recently been selected by Precise Path Robotics, Inc. based in Indianapolis, IN USA to form an essential part of the positioning system on the RG3, a robotic greens mower. The RG3 is designed to improve the overall quality of golf course greens at a lower operating cost.The RG3 is completely autonomous, using on-board sensors to determine its exact position and orientation on the putting green.The WindSonic wind sensor is mounted on top of the positioning module, providing real-time wind speed and direction data which is essential for maintaining positioning accuracy in windy conditions.With no moving parts and high wind speed and direction accuracy, data provided by the WindSonic allows the RG3 to provide consistent results regardless of the strength of the wind.The RG3 is battery powered so it was essential to choose a wind sensor with low power consumption. WindSonic has a standard power consumption of just 5.5mA so was well suited for use in the application.Additionally, with a key advantage of the RG3 being a reduction in labour costs, it was essential to select a wind sensor that would not require regular maintenance or be susceptible to damage once installed. WindSonic is completely solid-state with no moving parts, utilising proven, reliable ultrasonic technology to provide precision wind speed and direction data. The sensor has been designed to be maintenance free even in the most extreme weather conditions.