Atmospheric Research Mini-SODAR Page

ARPL'S New Mini-Sodar

ARPL is pleased to announce its mini-SODAR; a high frequency version of its field-proven SODAR. The mini-SODAR provides;

• Low power;
• Small size;
• Transportability
• Low cost;

Along with the high performance and reliability demonstrated by the ARPL SODAR

THE USES OF MINI-SODARS

Mini-SODARS can be used for;

• Industrial process and thereby pollution control by real-time monitoring of the local atmospheric environment;
• Characterisation of the local micro-climate;
• Wind monitoring at airports, glider fields and parachute drop zones;
• Wind Power assessment, including statistics and wind shear information;
• Blast noise prediction and minimisation.

The mini-Sodar works in the same manner as the standard Atmospheric Research SODAR; Link to ARPL SODAR Page

Configuration

• Antenna Subsystem;
• Control Electronics and Display Subsystem;

The mini-SODAR is available as separate items for permanent installation, or as a self-contained, transportable skid-mounted unit. Modifications to the configuration of the hardware, or to the software (eg to the user display), may be undertaken by ARPL, as options within a contract, or as subsequent upgrade contracts.

The Advantages Of Mini-SODARS

Mini-SODARs provide;

• Ease of transport and installation;
• Low power for remote operation
• Continuous operation and measurement;
• No intrusion into the space being sampled;
• Low labour costs for measurements;

Overhead Presentations

Operational Aspects of the SODAR

More Information on SODAR Design Tradeoffs

SODAR Design Issues and Tradeoffs

Mini-SODAR Performance

The state-of-the-art performances of the ARPL mini-SODAR are summarised in the table;

Parameter	Performance
Horizontal wind speed components	Range 0-20 m/s, accuracy 0.2 m/s
Horizontal wind speed vectors	Range 0 - 25 m/s
Vertical wind speed components	Range 0 - 10 m/sec, accuracy 0.1 m/s
Horizontal wind Direction	0 - 359 degrees
Resolution of reading	0.1 m/s
Sampling Height	5 m - 290 m AGL
Data Interval	Approximately 1 minute
Operating system	DOS or Windows
Display Latency	Real Time
Environmental Conditions	-10C to + 40C, 0 - 100% humidity
Power Supply	240V (others available, eg for battery-powered remote operation)
Acoustic Frequency	4500 - 5000 Hz (selectable)
Dimensions(Skid-Mounted)	2400(l)x1000(w)x1200(h)mm

Mini-SODAR. Note close proximity of trees, which do not cause reflections and adjacent container for scale.

Mini-SODAR, view into antennae, showing transducers.

Mini-SODAR Electronics Panel, including control processor and LCD display. The unit can run on mains power, batteries, or via portable generator.

[ TOP ]

This page maintained by Elissa Milford, © Atmospheric Research Pty Ltd 2001. eroberts@a-research.com.au
Last updated on December 29, 2001.