AirMar 110WXS Ultrasonic Weather Station

Overview

The AirMar 110WXS Ultrasonic Weather Station is a fully integrated, maintenance-free environmental sensing platform engineered for continuous, high-fidelity meteorological data acquisition in remote and semi-permanent deployments. Unlike traditional cup-and-vane anemometers, the 110WXS employs time-of-flight ultrasonic wind measurement—based on precise acoustic transit-time differential analysis between opposing transducer pairs—to deliver true vector wind speed and direction with no mechanical wear, zero moving parts, and immunity to icing or bearing degradation. Complementing the ultrasonic wind module, the unit integrates a radiation-shielded thermistor-hygrometer assembly for simultaneous air temperature and relative humidity measurement, along with a calibrated piezoresistive barometric pressure sensor. All seven core parameters—wind speed, wind direction, air temperature, relative humidity, dew point temperature, heat index, wind chill index, and atmospheric pressure—are computed onboard and output at user-configurable intervals (default: 1 Hz). Its compact NEMA 4X-equivalent IP66-rated housing ensures operational reliability across marine, agricultural, construction, and boundary-layer research environments.

Key Features

• Ultrasonic Wind Measurement: Dual-axis acoustic path design enables real-time, three-dimensional wind vector resolution with ±2° directional accuracy and ±0.1 m/s wind speed resolution at low velocities; insensitive to turbulence-induced mechanical lag.
• Radiation-Shielded Microclimate Sensor: Integrated double-louvered solar radiation shield minimizes radiative heating error, enabling ±0.3 °C temperature accuracy and ±2% RH accuracy under full sun exposure per ASTM E2743 and ISO 7726 standards.
• Onboard Environmental Index Calculation: Firmware computes derived metrics—including dew point, heat index (per NOAA/NWS methodology), and wind chill index (per USACOE/NOAA WCT formula)—without external post-processing.
• Industrial-Grade Communication Interface: Selectable RS-232 or RS-422 serial output supports long-distance cable runs (up to 1,200 m for RS-422), configurable baud rates (up to 115.2 kbps), and ASCII NMEA 0183 v4.10-compliant sentence structure for seamless integration into SCADA, IoT gateways, or custom DAQ systems.
• Low-Power, Wide-Voltage Operation: Designed for unattended operation in off-grid settings; consumes <1.2 W nominal at 12 V DC and maintains stable calibration across –40 °C to +70 °C ambient range.
• Modular Serviceability: Field-replaceable humidity sensor cartridge (part #HS-100) allows recalibration or replacement without disassembly of the main enclosure—critical for GLP-aligned long-term monitoring programs.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The 110WXS is validated for outdoor atmospheric sampling in non-explosive, non-corrosive environments. It complies with IEC 60529 (IP66), UL 61010-1 (safety), and FCC Part 15 Class B (EMC). While not certified for aviation-grade altimetry, its barometric sensor meets WMO-specified accuracy tolerances (±0.5 hPa) for surface weather observation networks. The device satisfies data integrity requirements for ISO/IEC 17025-accredited environmental labs when used within its specified operating envelope and maintained per AirMar’s recommended 24-month calibration interval. It is compatible with USDA ARS microclimate protocols, EPA AQ-450 reference methods for ambient air characterization, and NOAA’s COOP station metadata standards.

Software & Data Management

Data output follows standard NMEA 0183 sentences (MWV, MWD, MDA, XDR), enabling plug-and-play compatibility with industry-standard platforms including Campbell Scientific LoggerNet, DTN WeatherLink, and open-source tools such as Node-RED or Python-based PySerial ingestion pipelines. Optional AirMar WeatherView software (Windows/macOS) provides real-time visualization, local CSV logging, and basic QA/QC flagging (e.g., out-of-range wind shear detection, RH saturation alerts). For regulatory traceability, users may configure timestamped ASCII logs with embedded CRC checksums—supporting audit-ready records compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated time-sync infrastructure (e.g., GPS PPS input or NTP server).

Applications

• Fixed and mobile mesoscale weather monitoring networks for hydrological modeling and flood forecasting
• Precision agriculture decision support systems requiring localized evapotranspiration (ET₀) inputs
• Construction site environmental compliance monitoring (dust dispersion modeling, wind-sensitive crane operations)
• Renewable energy site assessment, particularly for small-scale wind feasibility studies
• University atmospheric science field courses and boundary-layer turbulence research campaigns
• Coastal erosion monitoring and port authority real-time wind hazard alerting

FAQ

Does the 110WXS require periodic calibration?
Yes. AirMar recommends factory recalibration every 24 months or after exposure to extreme shock, salt fog immersion, or prolonged operation above 60 °C.
Can the device operate on battery power alone?
Yes—when paired with a regulated 12 V DC battery system and appropriate charge controller; typical field deployment duration exceeds 6 weeks on a 24 Ah LiFePO₄ bank at 1 Hz output rate.
Is the RS-422 version compatible with Modbus RTU?
No. The 110WXS outputs only NMEA 0183 ASCII sentences; Modbus integration requires an external protocol converter.
What mounting hardware is included?
The unit ships with a universal U-bolt mounting bracket (fits poles 5–10 cm diameter); mast clamps and leveling bases are sold separately.
Are firmware updates available?
Yes—AirMar releases firmware revisions quarterly via secure download portal; updates require RS-232 connection and AirMar Utility software.