Gill’s ultrasonic wind speed and direction sensor featured on the BBC’s daily TV programme, The One Show on Thursday 16th July 2015.
TheWindObserver which can measure wind speeds in excess of 200mph made its TV appearance during a feature on using ultrasonic technology to show how sound waves can be used to make measurements which are useful in real life situations. During the demonstration, Phil Bassindale from Bristol University used a hair dryer to simulate wind and showed presenters Matt Baker and Alex Jones, how the WindObserver records changes in wind speed when wind is present. The changing wind speed was displayed via a touch screen display from Observator instruments.
Watch the episode on the BBC iPlayer until 17/08/2015
ABOUT ULTRASONIC WIND MEASUREMENT
WindObserver sensors use the ultrasonic time of flight principle to ascertain wind speed and direction.
Opposing sets of transducers alternately send and receive ultrasonic pulses to each other. In still air these pulses travel at the same speed.
The wind speed affects the send/receive pattern of the pulses. Pulses in the direction of air movement will reach the opposing transducer more rapidly, whilst pulses into the wind will be delayed. The stronger the prevailing wind, the more prominent the effect will be.
