Summary of TURN A PARKING SENSOR INTO AN ANEMOMETER
This article details building a DIY ultrasonic anemometer using a parking distance sensor kit and an Arduino. The project replaces the original microcontroller with an Arduino Pro Micro to process pulse outputs for wind speed and direction calculation. Key advantages include waterproof transducers and no moving parts, though calibration remains challenging compared to traditional cup anemometers.
Parts used in the Ultrasonic Anemometer:
- After-market parking distance sensor kit
- Arduino Pro Micro
- Passive components
- Circular baseplate
- Echo plate
- Carbon fiber rod
- ESP8266 Wi-Fi module
To measure wind speed and direction, most people turn the traditional cup anemometer and wind vane. Another less-known method is to use an array of ultrasonic transducers, which doesn’t need any moving parts. [Andy] demonstrates building an ultrasonic anemometer using a cheap after-market parking distance sensor kit and an Arduino. Demo video after the break.
Aside from the price, these kits have the added advantage of including waterproof ultrasonic transducers, perfect for an outdoor weather station, and all the required circuitry to drive them. Some circuit surgery is required to remove the existing 8-pin microcontroller and wire in an Arduino Pro Micro and a few passives to take control of the pulse outputs and processing of the received signal to calculate direction and velocity. The ultrasonic transducers are mounted in a circular baseplate pointing up to an “echo plate” mounted on a carbon fiber rod. [Andy]’s latest version also added an ESP8266 Wi-Fi module for connectivity.
One of the challenges of DIY environmental sensors is calibrating them to output reliable absolute values, and this is especially the case for wind speed. You need another anemometer that is known to be accurate or a wind source of a known velocity. A while back we covered [Jianjia Ma]’s ultrasonic anemometer build, where he mounted it on top of his car and went for his drive, but still couldn’t quite get consistent results.
While the lack of moving parts are nice, ultrasonic anemometers are significantly more complex on the software and electronics side, and a DIY cup and vane anemometer is still a viable alternative.
Source: TURN A PARKING SENSOR INTO AN ANEMOMETER
- What is the main advantage of this ultrasonic anemometer?
The design uses ultrasonic transducers that have no moving parts. - Can these sensors be used outdoors?
Yes, the kits include waterproof ultrasonic transducers suitable for outdoor weather stations. - How is the signal processing handled?
Existing circuitry is modified by removing the 8-pin microcontroller and wiring in an Arduino Pro Micro. - What components are mounted on the carbon fiber rod?
An echo plate is mounted on top of a carbon fiber rod pointing up to the transducers. - Does the latest version support internet connectivity?
Yes, an ESP8266 Wi-Fi module was added for connectivity in the latest build. - What is a major challenge in calibrating this device?
Calibrating for reliable absolute values requires another accurate anemometer or a known wind source. - Are ultrasonic anemometers easier to build than traditional ones?
No, they are significantly more complex on the software and electronics side.
