Sensor specifications (Anemometer)
Sensitivity: 2.4 km/h / turn
Wind Speed Range: 0 ~ 240 km/h
Height: 7.1 cm
Arm length: 8.9 cm
Connector: RJ11
The anemometer chosen for Waspmote consists of a Reed switch normally open that closes for a short period of time when the arms of the anemometer complete a turn, so the output is a digital signal whose frequency will be proportional to the wind speed in kilometers per hour (km/h).
Sensor specifications (Vane)
Height: 8.9 cm
Length: 17.8 cm
Maximum accuracy: 22.5º
Resistance range: 688 Ω ~ 120 kΩ
The wind vane consists of a basement that turns freely on a platform endowed with a net of eight resistances connected to eight switches that are normally open and are closed (one or two) when a magnet in the basement acts on them, which permits us to distinguish up to 16 different positions (the equivalent to a resolution of 22.5º). The equivalent resistance of the wind vane, along with a 10 kΩ resistance, form a voltage divider, powered at 3.3 V, whose output can be measured in an analog input of the microcontroller. The function of the library readValue also stores in variable vane_direction an 8 bits value which corresponds with an identifier of the pointing direction. Below, a table with the different values that the equivalent resistance of the wind vane may take is shown, along with the direction corresponding to each value:
Direction (Degrees) |
Resistance (kΩ) |
Voltage (V) |
Identifier |
0 |
33 |
2.53 |
SENS_AGR_VANE_N |
22.5 |
6.57 |
1.31 |
SENS_AGR_VANE_NNE |
45 |
8.2 |
1.49 |
SENS_AGR_VANE_NE |
67.5 |
0.891 |
0.27 |
SENS_AGR_VANE_ENE |
90 |
1 |
0.3 |
SENS_AGR_VANE_E |
112.5 |
0.688 |
0.21 |
SENS_AGR_VANE_ESE |
135 |
2.2 |
0.59 |
SENS_AGR_VANE_SE |
157.5 |
1.41 |
0.41 |
SENS_AGR_VANE_SSE |
180 |
3.9 |
0.92 |
SENS_AGR_VANE_S |
202.5 |
3.14 |
0.79 |
SENS_AGR_VANE_SSW |
225 |
16 |
2.03 |
SENS_AGR_VANE_SW |
247.5 |
14.12 |
1.93 |
SENS_AGR_VANE_WSW |
270 |
120 |
3.05 |
SENS_AGR_VANE_W |
292.5 |
42.12 |
2.67 |
SENS_AGR_VANE_WNW |
315 |
64.9 |
2.86 |
SENS_AGR_VANE_NW |
337.5 |
21.88 |
2.26 |
SENS_AGR_VANE_NNW |
Besides, it is recommended to use the function getVaneFiltered in order to perform a mean filtered measurement during a specified period of time. Thus, mechanical fluctuations will be avoided and a more accurate measurement will be done.
Sensor specifications (Pluviometer)
Height: 9.05 cm
Length: 23 cm
Bucket capacity: 0.28 mm of rain
The pluviometer consists of a small bucket that, once completely filled (0.28 mm of water approximately), closes a switch, emptying automatically afterwards. The result is a digital signal whose frequency is proportional to the intensity of rainfall in millimeters of rain per minute (mm/min). The sensor is connected directly to a Waspmote digital input through a pull-up resistance and to the interruption pin TXD1, allowing the triggering of an interruption of the microprocessor when the start of the rain is detected.
Tip: the user can apply a little of paraffin on the pluviometer’s upper surface in order to help the rain drops to flow
down to the inside of the sensor.