The USH-8 Ultrasonic Snow Depth Sensor by SOMMER is ideal for the reliable measurement of snow-depth in extreme conditions. The sensor’s principle of measurement deals with the transit-time measurement of an ultrasonic pulse. The sensor transmits several energy-charged pulses to the snow cover and subsequently receives its reflected signals. Based upon the required transit time of the ultrasonic signals, the USH-8 sensor calculates the current snow depth. The processing time of the ultrasonic pulses here is enormously influenced by the air temperature. For this reason, the snow depth sensor also possesses integrated temperature compensation.

This takes into account the influence of the air temperature on the processing time of the ultrasonic signals, in the calculation of the snow depth. The calculation takes place in the sensor, so that the output signal provides the already converted snow depth.

USH-8 Specifications:

Snow Depth Measurement

Range of measurement: 0 to 8 m

Minimum distance to the maximum expected snow depth: 1 m

Accuracy: 0,1 % (FS)

Resolution 1 mm

Principle of measurement: Ultrasonic (Frequency 50 kHz; Angle of reflected beam 12°)

Integrated Compensation of the Air Temperature

Temperature sensor: Integrated air-temperature sensor in self-venting radiation shield

Range of measurement: -35 to 60 °C

Resolution: 0,1 °C

Non-linearity: ? 0,15 %

Interfaces

Analogue: Snow depth measurement

0/4 - 20 mA signal (configurable)

Resolution: 12 Bit

Max. load: 300 ?

Digital: Snow depth measurement; air temperature; quality flag

RS 232; serial interface

Protocol: Various ASCII formats