FTS RSS Distance Test, John C. Stennis Space Center, Dec 2015
Dates
Publication Date
2018-01-26
Time Period
2015-12-21
Citation
Kunkle, G.A., 2018, Evaluation of the Radar Stage Sensor Manufactured by Forest Technology Systems, Incorporated—Results of Laboratory and Field Testing: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F71C1VSR.
Summary
Two identical Radar Stage Sensors from Forest Technology Systems, were evaluated to determine if they are suitable for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hydrologic data collection. The sensors were evaluated in laboratory conditions to evaluate the distance accuracy of the sensor over the manufacturer’s specified operating temperatures and distance to water ranges. Laboratory results were compared to the manufacturer’s accuracy specification of ±0.007 foot (ft) and the USGS Office of Surface Water (OSW) policy requirement that water level sensors have a measurement uncertainty of no more than 0.01 ft or 0.20 percent of the indicated reading. Both of the sensors tested were within the OSW policy requirement in both laboratory tests and [...]
Summary
Two identical Radar Stage Sensors from Forest Technology Systems, were evaluated to determine if they are suitable for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hydrologic data collection. The sensors were evaluated in laboratory conditions to evaluate the distance accuracy of the sensor over the manufacturer’s specified operating temperatures and distance to water ranges. Laboratory results were compared to the manufacturer’s accuracy specification of ±0.007 foot (ft) and the USGS Office of Surface Water (OSW) policy requirement that water level sensors have a measurement uncertainty of no more than 0.01 ft or 0.20 percent of the indicated reading. Both of the sensors tested were within the OSW policy requirement in both laboratory tests and within the manufacturer’s specification in the distance to water test over tested distances from 3 to 15 ft. Both radars were mounted to a plate at the end of a movable arm above the water. The water level was measured by using a float system attached to a Sutron Model 56-0540 SDI-12 shaft encoder. The arm level was measured with a separate Sutron Model 56-0540 shaft encoder. The reference distance from the arm to the water was computed based on the arm encoder reading and the water level encoder reading. The arm was initially set so that the radar was approximately 3 ft above the water. By using an attached motor controller, the arm was raised in 3.00-ft increments to a maximum air gap of 15 ft. At each 3-ft set point, both radars were given approximately 4 minutes to adjust to the new level before recording a water level measurement. At each step, the change in the RSS water level measurement was compared to the change in air gap. A total of five cycles from 3 to 15 ft and back to 3 ft were completed.
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Purpose
Data were obtained as part of an instrument evaluation of the Forest Technology Systems (FTS) Radar Stage Sensor. This data set was used to evaluate whether the sensor met USGS Office of Surface Water accuracy requirements over a 12 foot distance range. The purpose of this test was to measure how well the RSSs tracked changes in the air gap between the radar and water surface. Instrument and equipment evaluations are done primarily to determine if particular devices would be suitable for use by USGS personnel for hydrologic data collection. Results presented herein were obtained with the instrument model and firmware used at the time of testing, and may or may not represent results obtained from software updates and instrument model improvements. The instrument evaluation results presented are not indicative of an endorsement by the USGS of the tested instrument.