Data logger specialists, Campbell Scientific
Ltd, manufacture and sell reliable data acquisition systems including
scientific data loggers, sensors, and automated weather stations for industry, science and
research.
Scientific Data Loggers
 Campbell research grade data loggers all consume minimal power from a 12vdc
power source (eg. battery pack and solar charger) and are renowned for their
reliability even when used in challenging environments. Campbell Multi Channel
Data Loggers offer
measurement and control capabilities, operate accurately across a wide range of
temperatures; they are programmable and can store data and perform calculations
on-board and work without the need for a field pc. Most Campbell dataloggers
have a 3 year warranty as standard.
Data logging capabilities can be extended using a wide range of peripherals,
including communication devices such as radio link, LAN, fixed wire modem, GSM/GPRS
or satellite modem which allows direct or remote data logger interrogation.
Other system enhancements include data storage devices for extending the data
capacity; SDM addressable peripherals for extended measurement and output
capabilities, and multiplexers for increasing the number of inputs available on
a single data logger to reduce the number of loggers needed where large numbers
of sensors are employed.
Multi Channel Data Loggers in Automatic Weather Stations (AWS)
The outstanding reliability, wide range of communication options and the
flexibility to measure most makes and types of sensor makes Campbell dataloggers
ideal for long term or unattended applications such as weather and climate
studies as testified by the popularity of Campbell’s automated weather stations
for serious studies around the world.
 Reliability is important because climate stations are often left unattended for
months on end in remote locations and in extreme conditions and users need to
know that data will be collected and stored reliably and accurately.
Communications are important because this means that the weather station logger
can be interrogated remotely by one of a choice of methods. Flexibility to work
with different sensors means that weather stations can be custom configured to
meet whatever measurement criteria is required; connecting not only to virtually
any meteorological sensor but also to other sensor types such as soil moisture
or surface wetness or to weather cameras. An AWS can be a stand-alone unit or
networked to other weather stations to provide a detailed weather picture across
a wider area.
Campbell Scientific weather stations are used by many of the world’s met service
providers including the Met Office and have also featured in several leading
climate research projects. Other less obvious weather station applications
include: weather monitoring on civil engineering projects where evidence may be
required to protect against litigation for delays caused by bad weather;
monitoring and controlling of irrigation systems such as for golf courses;
tourist weather information (sunshine duration, maximum and minimum temperatures
etc.); for sports events (trackside wind speed, temperature and humidity
readings etc.); for flood warning systems, for predicting bushfires and
monitoring the spread; or at airports where weather conditions can seriously
impact on the safe take off and landing of air traffic.
Visibility and Present Weather Sensor
The PWS100 Visibility and Present Weather Sensor offers an automated way to
measure present weather parameters such as precipitation type, visibility and
rain rate. This sensor measures the size, velocity and chrystallinity of falling
particles as small as 0.1mm and is able to distinguish and classify different
precipitation types according to World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) codes;
for instance reporting rain, drizzle, grauple, or snow. As well as the WMO codes
the sensor can also provide raw histogram data for particle size and velocity.
Visibility of up to 10Km can be also be determined with this sensor.
The PWS100 Visibility & Present Weather Sensor uniquely uses a laser to create a
structured measurement volume consisting of four parallel horizontal light
sheets monitored by two offset receptors. As a particle passes through the
volume light is scattered to the receptors. A high speed digital signal
processor (DSP) analyses the signal and using phase Doppler anemometry
techniques accurately determines not only the velocity and size of the particle
but also the ice content of a particle to discriminate between various types of
precipitation.
The PWS100 is supplied with new viewing software which provides browser based
visual interface to the sensors outputs. Graphs included show particle size and
velocity, precipitation rates, drop size distribution, particle type, visibility
and temperature and relative humidity
Data Loggers in Road Weather Systems (RWIS)
Road weather is another important market for weather monitoring instruments for
Campbell Scientific – providing permanent or temporary Road Weather Information
Systems (RWIS) which provide local authorities with real-time and historical
road condition data. Accurate real time road surface temperature measurement
makes more informed decision making on the need for road salting possible;
enhancing road safety by helping to ensure roads are gritted when needed and
saving the authority money and helping the environment by reducing unnecessary
road salting.
 Campbell offer contactless, infrared sensors which measure the temperature of
the road surface without slot cutting or road closure and which remain
unaffected by road resurfacing work. Sensors are attached to any suitable
existing roadside posts or overhead gantries with a separate enclosure
containing a Campbell scientific data loggers power pack, temperature and relative humidity
sensor, GPRS modem and faced with a solar panel (this enclosure is installed
facing south to optimise solar charging). The relatively low cost of these units
means that for a given budget a wider network of monitoring points is possible.
Campbell Scientific can capture and serve the road weather data via the internet
using a special interface providing real time and historical data in graphical
or tabular formats. Secure access is available to the authorised user and data
can be fed to any other designated third party, such as a neighbouring
authorities or weather forecasting service provider.
For permanent installations Campbell offer embedded road condition sensors which
are flush mounted into the road and measure road conditions ( damp, wet, ice
etc.) and water salinity as well as road surface temperature.
Other road weather solutions include fully specified roadside outstations,
up-grades to existing stations, and road weather cameras. Installation and
maintenance services are also offered.
Multi Channel Data Loggers for Structural Monitoring
 Campbell data loggers are used in data acquisition systems in civil engineering
projects for structural monitoring of tunnels, bridges, ancient monuments, and
construction projects. The recently introduced AVW200 vibrating wire interface
utilises an innovative new technique for monitoring vibrating wire strain gauges
which virtually eliminates noise errors caused by electrical interference common
with many other such interfaces. The AVW200 analyses the frequency of the
vibrating wire rather than measuring time domain components used in other
systems.
Dataloggers for Offshore and Airport Weather Monitoring
Campbell Scientific Ltd recently acquired Muir Matheson, specialists in offshore
and aviation weather monitoring systems; Muir Matheson already integrate
Campbell Scientific dataloggers into their weather systems for oil platforms and
airports and this is expected to increase.
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