Lufft V200A-UMB Ultrasonic Wind Sensor

Overview

The Lufft V200A-UMB is a high-reliability, all-in-one ultrasonic wind sensor engineered for continuous, maintenance-free environmental monitoring in demanding outdoor applications. It operates on the time-of-flight (TOF) principle—measuring the differential transit times of ultrasonic pulses across orthogonal transducer pairs—to derive true 3D wind vector components with no moving parts. Unlike mechanical cup-and-vane anemometers, the V200A-UMB eliminates mechanical wear, inertia-induced lag, and directional dead zones. In addition to wind speed and direction, it integrates MEMS-based capacitive barometric pressure sensing and calculates virtual temperature from the speed of sound in air—enabling real-time derivation of air density using the ideal gas law. This multi-parameter capability supports advanced meteorological modeling, energy yield assessments, and atmospheric boundary layer studies without requiring external sensor fusion.

Key Features

• True ultrasonic wind measurement with no moving parts—ensuring long-term stability and zero mechanical drift
• Integrated heating element enables reliable operation down to −40 °C, preventing ice accumulation on transducers and maintaining measurement continuity in freezing fog, snow, or rime conditions
• Simultaneous output of five core atmospheric parameters: wind speed, wind direction, virtual temperature, atmospheric pressure, and air density—reducing system integration complexity
• Dual-output architecture: RS-485 (Modbus RTU, SDI-12 compatible) and configurable analog outputs (4–20 mA, 0–10 V, or pulse/frequency) for seamless integration into SCADA, PLC, and legacy data loggers
• Robust IP66-rated aluminum housing with marine-grade stainless-steel fasteners—certified for outdoor deployment in coastal, industrial, and high-UV environments
• Low power consumption (<1.5 W typical, <3.5 W with heater active) suitable for solar-powered remote stations

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The V200A-UMB is designed for open-air atmospheric sampling under unobstructed exposure per WMO Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation (CIMO Guide, Chapter 8). Its physical footprint and mounting geometry comply with ISO 16485:2021 (Wind measurement—Requirements for ultrasonic anemometers) and IEC 61000-6-2/6-4 for electromagnetic compatibility. The pressure sensor meets EN 13723:2018 accuracy requirements for barometric measurements in environmental monitoring. While not certified as a medical or safety-critical device, its design supports GLP-aligned data acquisition when deployed with audit-trail-capable data loggers. No calibration traceability to NIST or PTB is embedded—but factory calibration reports (including wind tunnel verification at multiple speeds and directions) are supplied with each unit.

Software & Data Management

The sensor communicates natively via ASCII-based protocols (SDI-12, Modbus RTU) and supports configurable output intervals (1 s to 30 min). Lufft’s free UMB ConfigTool enables field configuration of units, averaging periods, heater activation thresholds, and alarm conditions (e.g., signal loss, heater fault). When integrated with third-party platforms such as Campbell Scientific LoggerNet, DTN Meteotest, or WindPRO, the V200A-UMB delivers time-synchronized, timestamped datasets compliant with CF Metadata conventions. Raw ultrasonic TOF values are not exposed—only validated, temperature-compensated, and turbulence-filtered physical quantities are transmitted, ensuring consistency across firmware updates. Optional firmware extensions support MQTT publishing for IIoT edge deployments.

Applications

• Meteorological networks and national weather services requiring WMO-compliant wind profiling at synoptic and mesoscale sites
• Wind resource assessment for onshore and offshore wind farm development—including IEC 61400-12-1 pre-construction measurement campaigns
• Airport and seaport ASOS/AWOS systems where icing resilience and rapid response to wind shear events are critical
• Thermal power plant stack emission dispersion modeling, where air density and virtual temperature inform buoyancy-driven plume rise calculations
• Research-grade eddy covariance flux towers measuring sensible and latent heat exchange—leveraging high-frequency wind vector data (up to 20 Hz optional firmware)
• Urban climate monitoring and smart city infrastructure integrating real-time ventilation potential mapping

FAQ

Does the V200A-UMB require periodic recalibration?
No scheduled recalibration is mandated by Lufft. Long-term drift is minimized by thermal compensation algorithms and stable MEMS pressure elements. Users are advised to perform functional verification annually using a reference anemometer per ISO 17025-accredited procedures if used in regulated reporting contexts.
Can the heater be controlled externally?
Yes—the heater operates automatically below −5 °C by default, but digital control via Modbus register allows manual override or integration with ambient temperature inputs from co-located sensors.
Is the air density output derived or measured?
Air density is calculated in real time using the ideal gas law: ρ = P / (R_specific × T_v), where P is measured barometric pressure, T_v is virtual temperature, and R_specific is the specific gas constant for dry air adjusted for humidity—no separate hygrometer is required.
What is the maximum cable length for RS-485 communication?
Up to 1,200 meters is supported with proper twisted-pair shielding and termination, consistent with EIA/TIA-485-A specifications.
Is the V200A-UMB suitable for marine salt-spray environments?
Yes—its anodized aluminum housing, stainless-steel hardware, and conformal-coated PCBs meet ISO 9223 C5-M corrosion classification requirements for offshore installations.