Hydromet and Agrimet Solutions

OSI engineers have developed a series of optical technologies to measure precipitation induced optical scintillations.

Understanding precipitation types is challenging. In most cases involving very low or very high rain rates, mechanical rain gauges will perform poorly and underestimate both high and low rain rates.

The APG-815-DS (All Precipitation Gauge) uses OSI’s proven and patented optical scintillation technology to serve as both a rain gauge (precipitation rate and accumulation) and a snow gauge (water equivalent rate and water equivalent accumulation).

The APG-815 is a unique and very advanced sensor for measurement and discrimination of the various types of precipitation, unmatched by any other technology in terms of accuracy, performance, high reliability and its ultra-low maintenance design.

The OSI family of precipitation sensors all use the same digital DSP “engine” technology for practical unattended weather observations and will provide critical ground truth to satisfy global-scale precipitation and climate monitoring requirements.

Specifications and features that together are unique to the APG:

Measurement principle: Optical Scintillation (far more reliable than optical scatter and mechanical techniques)
Algorithms continually refined from over 800 million hours of proven field operation in applications on every continent
All digital / DSP based design with no temperature sensitive analog components
No Moving Parts
No small collection or measurement orifices to get clogged with dirt / debris
No need for high power heaters or chemical antifreeze for snow measurement
No periodic maintenance required
No scheduled / regular cleaning of optics required
Insensitive to dirt buildup on optics
Simple polled / unpolled (user selectable) ASCII data string over RS-232
Include MODBUS RTU over serial RS-232 I/O format as standard
Options for RS-485, Ethernet, Limited Distance Modems (LDM) and Cellular Modems
Discriminates between rain, snow, drizzle, freezing drizzle, freezing rain, etc.
Ability to add acoustic hail / ice particle sensor (HIP-100)
Minimum 10 weather identification codes for both NWS and WMO weather codes
Measurement dynamic range: 0.001 to 500 mm/hr rain, .03 to 500 mm/hr snow
Optional extended measurement ranges over 500 mm/hr
Reports both instantaneous rain rate and accumulation
Rain / snow measurement accuracy: 5% accumulation
Rain / Snow measurement resolution: 0.001 mm
Full data update rate; once per minute; Instantaneous intensity every 10 seconds
Power requirements: nominal 12 VDC / max 400 mA (solar compatible)
Operating temperature range; -50º to 60º C (-58º to 140º F)
Built-in continuous self-test / self-diagnostics and performance monitoring
Ultra-reliable operation 24/7/365 with virtually zero maintenance
Mean-Time Between Failure (MTBF) in excess of 80,000 hours
No adverse effects from high winds, evaporation, and other common errors of mechanical gauges
Technology field proven for over 30 years (long track record)
Can operate on unstable / tilting platforms such as data buoys and ships
Easy installation / no cement pads; simply clamp to a 1.5-2″ pipe w provided U-bolts
Widely used by NOAA / NWS, military, airports, state DOTs, etc.

Products applicable on Hydromet - Agrimet

APG All Precipitation Weather Identifier and Gauges

APG offers an enhanced ability to measure rain and snow with advanced algorithms to automatically determine the precipitation type, rate, and water equivalent accumulation. The APG is vastly superior to traditional type sensors and offers the reliability and proven performance you need!

ORG Optical Rain Gauges

Our original rain/precipitation sensor also benefits from our later design enhancements, providing the user with minute-by minute precipitation rate and accumulation data.

NRG-022 (Networked Rain Gauge)

The NRG-022 Networked optical Rain Gauge measures rain rate and accumulation using an infrared optical beam from an LED source. The NRG offers vastly superior sensitivity and reliability to traditional type sensors.