Snow depth sensor

On the Forni glacier a Campbell SR-50 sonic ranger is also present to measure snow level.

Citation proposal
(2011) . Snow depth sensor. https://geoportal.mountaingenius.org/geonetwork/srv/api/records/d2151e78-08a1-4e99-91fe-b21944073465

Simple

Date ( Publication ): 2011-03-30T17:51:00

Purpose

The objectives of the research are in fact different. The first consists in observing and monitoring the Forni glacier. The second in the identification and characterization of the transport of polluted air masses and air masses rich in atmospheric particles, or dust, anthropogenic and natural reach the site of measurement.

Third, the assessment of the deposition of particulate air pollution on the seasonal melting of snow and ice energy balance and mass of glaciers.

Status: On going

Point of contact

Ev-K2-CNR

Via San Bernardino 145 Bergamo BG 24126 Italy

+39 035 3230511

+39 035 3230551

Website: http://www.evk2cnr.org/

Maintenance and update frequency: As needed

GEMET ( Theme )

thermal power plant

Keywords

SHARE , Network , Station , High Altitude

Keywords

CEOP

Keywords ( Theme )

glacier , cryosphere , micro-meteorological parameters , climate , natural areas , ecosystems , landscape , research

Keywords ( Place )

Forni Glacier , Italy , Stelvio National Park , Alps , Ortles-Cevedale group

Use limitation: No conditions apply

Access constraints: Copyright

Other constraints

Character set: UTF8

Topic category

Climatology, meteorology, atmosphere
Environment
Geoscientific information

Supplemental Information

Reference system identifier: EPSG / WGS 84 (EPSG:4326) / 7.4

Topology level: Geometry only

Geometric object type: Point

Geometric object count: 13

OnLine resource: SHARE Geonetwork portal
SHARE Geonetwork portal

OnLine resource: sr50_Manual.pdf
SR50 Sonic Ranging Sensor Manual

OnLine resource: Chapter_6_Precipitation.pdf
Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation WMO-No. 8-Chapter 6:”Measurement of precipitation”

Hierarchy level: Series

Statement

The SR50 is a rugged, acoustic distance sensor that is manufactured by Campbell Scientific (Canada) Corp. It measures the elapsed time between emission and return of an ultrasonic pulse. This measurement can be used to determine snow or water depth. An air temperature measurement is required to correct for variations of the speed of sound in air. The SR50 was designed to meet the stringent requirements of measuring depths and uses a multiple echo processing algorithm to help ensure measurement reliability.In order to allow triggering of the SR-50 sonic ranger by the Babuc ABC datalogger, as well as to input the digital readout of the snow level, we designed and built a custom digital interface suitable for low temperatures operation. This was necessary since the Babuc ABC is only equipped with a proprietary serial interface for which specifications were not readily available. Furthermore, voltage levels, pulse length and rise times which can be output from the Babuc ABC’s actuator sockets are neither compatible with the Campbell SR-50 nor programmable, at least within the required tolerances. These parameters also showed to be very sensitive both to battery voltage and to ambient temperature, which is normal when considering their intended purpose of supplying power to external devices.Our interface allowed to correctly shape the trigger pulse for initiate the snow level measurement, as well as to acquire the serial pulse train output from the SR-50 through a spare datalogger input meant for rain gauge connection.

Features:

-Emits acoustic pulse and measures travel time; air temperature measurement required

- Measurement range 0.5 to 10 m (1.6 to 32.8 ft)

- Accuracy ±1.0 cm (±0.4 in) or ±0.4% of distance to target whichever is greater

- Measures water level or snow depth

- Manufactured by Campbell Scientific (Canada) Corp.