Wireless Sensor Data Transmission Techniques in High Precision Meteorological Instrumentation

Wireless sensor capabilities have become widespread in consumer-grade observing systems such as personal weather stations. However, most high precision meteorological instruments do not employ wireless technology between the sensors and the collection platform. As a part of the Summer SOAP (Student Operational ADRAD Project) undergraduate research program, Texas A&M students have been experimenting with adding wireless capabilities to three high precision instruments. We have been working on the installation of a MetOne 034B wind sensor on a tower platform on the roof of the Oceanography and Meteorology Building at Texas A&M using a Campbell Scientific wireless connection to solve a challenging installation and add independent solar power. This installation provides important data for operation and protection of the Aggie Doppler Radar (ADRAD). The second aspect of this project is to adapt a MetOne precision barometer for portable power and enable communications via Bluetooth. This will enable its usage in mobile upper air operations with just a cell phone or tablet instead of a datalogger computer. The third part of our project includes adding Bluetooth wireless capabilities to a Climatronics CM100 Compact Weather Sensor, enabling simplified connections when vehicle mounted for use by the Texas Aggie Storm Chasers.