Advantages of the HSS Visibility and Present Weather Sensors

ADVANTAGES OF THE HSS SENSORS

HSS visibility sensors were the first Forward Scatter Meters (FSM) to use an infra-red light-source and have remained ahead of the competition ever since.

Each of the three available models offer a number of benefits which have been proven over many years of operation as follows:

Long-Term Reliability

The Biral HSS sensors are designed to withstand years of abuse without problems and are the best choice for long life expectancy. For two decades customers have been using HSS sensors and are still enjoying the reliability and durability of the sensors (many have run the entire time without a single problem!). The US Military also continues to uses Biral HSS sensors in land and maritime roles.

Lightweight and Low-Powered

Biral HSS sensors are some of the lightest around and can easily be installed by a single person. They are also designed for very low power consumption, allowing additional flexibility for a wider range of applications.

Corrosion-Free

Corrosion is not an issue with HSS sensors due to the fact that we only use hard anodised aluminium combined with a salt-dip brazing process. The dip brazing ensures that the sensor enclosures are strong and leak-free while the military standard anodising provides unrivalled corrosion resistance. The extra expense of this process has proven worthwhile for strength, accuracy and long-term durability. Performance and quality are paramount and only the best results are accepted.

Unbeatable Accuracy

The combination of design, light-source type, wavelength and undisturbed sample volume gives Biral HSS sensors unbeatable accuracy.

Design

Using a unique patented design, the HSS range is considered to provide the best correlation of extinction coefficient (EXCO) to observed visibility. In reduced visibility conditions, whereas other sensors using different scattering angles report only precipitation, Biral HSS sensors continue to provide accurate visibility AND precipitation data.

Light-Source

The light-source is an infra-red diode which has been proven to provide higher accuracy, longer life and much more consistent readings than sensors using visible light-sources. The patented design of the HSS sensors means that no other sensor can match their performance.

Wavelength

Biral’s choice of light-source and wavelength (880 nm) is considered to be the best for accuracy where it counts most - around the 1 mile range. The choice of the wavelength is critical when deciding how the sensor performs in terms of accuracy and shifts in light spectra. The wavelength used is perfect for the shift in light from white (visibility below 1 mile) to blue (visibility from 1 mile to several miles). Almost all sensors using FSM technology can detect the white spectrum well, but HSS Sensors also detect the shift from white to blue spectrum and therefore maintain accuracy values to much higher visibility ranges.

Undisturbed Sample Volume

Accurate visibility and precipitation measurements require the sample volume to see only what is actually present. Other designs often suffer from precipitation splashing off the instrument enclosure, turbulence effects and unwanted reflections. The unique design of Biral HSS sensors ensures that the sample volume remains undisturbed regardless of wind direction and precipitation conditions.

Optical Geometry

Reflections from snow and surface water may cause measurement errors if they are allowed to enter the receiver, a common problem in some sensor designs. The sensor heads of all Biral HSS sensors are positioned in the horizontal plane to ensure that the measurements are not influenced by surface reflections. Biral HSS sensors also provide "no-dew window heaters" and optional hood heaters to ensure that the heads remain free from mist and obstruction even in the most challenging blowing snow conditions.

Manufacture

We use rigorous manufacturing and build processes to ensure that these high specification sensors are of superior quality providing excellent performance and trouble-free operation for many years or even decades. The HSS sensors are the only visibility and present weather sensors on the market which are manufactured in this way.

• HSS sensors are manufactured from high grade aluminium which is salt-dip brazed to prevent corrosion.

This form of manufacture is costly and constitutes a large proportion of
the sensor price but the long-term advantages are well worth it and help to keep running costs to a minimum.

• Only the best quality industrial and military grade components are used for better performance.
• The sensors are built individually to comply with our rigorous ISO 9001:2000 accredited quality procedures and documented build control checks.
• The sensors are built to meet stringent EMC standards and provide excellent environmental protection from the elements.
• Each sensor is thoroughly inspected and tested by highly trained technicians prior to dispatch from our premises to ensure long and
  trouble-free service.
• HSS sensors come with 2 years’ warranty as standard.

Extensive Trial History

As Biral HSS sensors were the first sensors on the market, we have an extensive library of independent test results comparing the HSS brand against the competition. Not only do the reports show excellent performance but also Biral can show the consistency of the sensors’ performance since their conception in 1984. The sensors have been used by nearly every national weather service, several defence organisations, aviation authorities, offshore oil platforms, numerous lighthouse authorities and institutes carrying out meteorological research. Indeed, in the past, we have even sold to our competitors!

Visibly Better

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