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Evaluation of the Radar Stage Sensor manufactured by Forest Technology Systems—Results of laboratory and field testing

Open-File Report 2017-1085
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https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20171085

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Abstract

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. In the temperature chamber test, both sensors were within the manufacturer’s specification for more than 90 percent of the data points collected over a temperature range of –40 to +60 degrees Celsius at a fixed distance of 8 ft. One sensor was subjected to an SDI-12 communication test, which it passed. A field test was conducted on one sensor at a USGS field site near Landon, Mississippi, from February 5 to March 29, 2016. Water-level measurements made by the radar during the field test were in agreement with those made by the Sutron Accubar Constant Flow Bubble Gauge.

Upon the manufacturer’s release of updated firmware version 1.09, additional SDI-12 and temperature testing was performed to evaluate added SDI-12 functions and verify that performance was unaffected by the update. At this time, an Axiom data logger is required to perform a firmware update on this sensor. The data confirmed the results of the original test. Based on the test results, the Radar Stage Sensor is a suitable choice for USGS hydrologic data collection.

Suggested Citation

Kunkle, G.A., 2018, Evaluation of the Radar Stage Sensor manufactured by Forest Technology Systems—Results of laboratory and field testing: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2017–1085, 12 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20171085.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Description of the Radar Stage Sensor
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Conclusions
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Evaluation of the Radar Stage Sensor manufactured by Forest Technology Systems—Results of laboratory and field testing
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2017-1085
DOI 10.3133/ofr20171085
Year Published 2018
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Office of Surface Water
Description Report: iv, 12 p.; Data Release
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details