Weather Station - Revision history

Kat at 13:38, 5 June 2014

2014-06-05T13:38:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:38, 5 June 2014
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	Of course, there are many, many other ways to design this code - in Java, to run at boot rather than as a cron job, and so on - and many of these alternatives are outlined on the [[OS - Phidget SBC]] page.		Of course, there are many, many other ways to design this code - in Java, to run at boot rather than as a cron job, and so on - and many of these alternatives are outlined on the [[OS - Phidget SBC]] page.

	For this example, we have two [[Language - Python\|Python scripts]]: {{Code\|station.py}} which runs the sensors once per minute and saves the data, and {{Code\|webcam.py}} which saves a webcam picture once per minute.		For this example, we have two [[Language - Python\|Python scripts]]: {{Code\|station.py}} which runs the sensors once per minute and saves the data, and {{Code\|webcam.py}} which saves a webcam picture once per minute. You can download the files [http://www.instructables.com/files/orig/FZF/K2QV/HW1M9HIP/FZFK2QVHW1M9HIP.zip here].

	===Station===		===Station===

Mparadis at 20:01, 4 February 2013

2013-02-04T20:01:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:01, 4 February 2013
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	==Phidgets==		==Phidgets==

	At the core of this weather logging station is the [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1072 Phidget Single Board Computer (~~SBC~~)]. The sensors and other attachments from Phidgets could include:		At the core of this weather logging station is the [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1072 Phidget Single Board Computer (SBC2)]. The sensors and other attachments from Phidgets could include:

	{\| style="border:1px solid darkgray;" cellpadding="5px;"		{\| style="border:1px solid darkgray;" cellpadding="5px;"

Burley: /* Phidgets */

2012-10-25T14:42:53Z

Phidgets

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:42, 25 October 2012
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	The SBC has the ability to run both USB-based Phidgets (such as the [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1045 1045 - PhidgetTemperatureSensor IR]) and analog-based Phidgets (such as the [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1125 1125 - Humidity/Temperature Sensor]). But we have a variety of different environmental sensors that you could use on your system. The included [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1018 1018 - PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8] on board the SBC can handle up to 8 analog sensors, and 8 digital in sensors like switches.		The SBC has the ability to run both USB-based Phidgets (such as the [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1045 1045 - PhidgetTemperatureSensor IR]) and analog-based Phidgets (such as the [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1125 1125 - Humidity/Temperature Sensor]). But we have a variety of different environmental sensors that you could use on your system. The included [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1018 1018 - PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8] on board the SBC can handle up to 8 analog sensors, and 8 digital in sensors like switches.

	Take note that the rated temperature range for the SBC is 0-70°C. You will also notice that it looks substantially colder in most of the pictures than 0°C! There are a few reasons for this. The first is that the SBC is being kept in a sealed container with some (admittedly minor) insulation. Also keep in mind that the SBC will generate heat just like any electronics that have power flowing through them, the SBC is essentially a 1W heater all by itself which when inside the case keeps the temperature up significantly above the outside temperature. That said the temperature inside the case is still below 0 on a fairly regular basis. This just goes to show you that the temperature range is not a hard limit and the board will function below it, however there are no guarantees at this point, the SBC could stop functioning at basically any time. It would start up again as the temperature increased but it is very likely that the board seizes up and remains inoperable for long periods of time if it is not being monitored. This was a risk we took and luckily we didn't run into any issues. For the record the coldest temperatures we recorded during the operation of this weather station were between -10 and -15°C. I would not recommend attempting to run it in a colder environment than that without steps being taken to actively heat the board.		Take note that the rated temperature range for the SBC is 0-70°C. You will also notice that it looks substantially colder in most of the pictures than 0°C! There are a few reasons for this. The first is that the SBC is being kept in a sealed container with some (admittedly minor) insulation. Also keep in mind that the SBC will generate heat just like any electronics that have power flowing through them; the SBC is essentially a 1W heater all by itself which, when inside the case, keeps the temperature up significantly above the outside temperature. That said the temperature inside the case is still below 0 on a fairly regular basis. This just goes to show you that the temperature range is not a hard limit and the board will function below it, however there are no guarantees at this point, the SBC could stop functioning at basically any time. It would start up again as the temperature increased but it is very likely that the board seizes up and remains inoperable for long periods of time if it is not being monitored. This was a risk we took and luckily we didn't run into any issues. For the record the coldest temperatures we recorded during the operation of this weather station were between -10 and -15°C. I would not recommend attempting to run it in a colder environment than that without steps being taken to actively heat the board.

	Using these components requires a bit of care, so the next sections give some suggestions on how to use each Phidget.		Using these components requires a bit of care, so the next sections give some suggestions on how to use each Phidget.

Burley: /* Phidgets */

2012-10-25T14:42:11Z

Phidgets

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:42, 25 October 2012
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	The SBC has the ability to run both USB-based Phidgets (such as the [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1045 1045 - PhidgetTemperatureSensor IR]) and analog-based Phidgets (such as the [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1125 1125 - Humidity/Temperature Sensor]). But we have a variety of different environmental sensors that you could use on your system. The included [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1018 1018 - PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8] on board the SBC can handle up to 8 analog sensors, and 8 digital in sensors like switches.		The SBC has the ability to run both USB-based Phidgets (such as the [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1045 1045 - PhidgetTemperatureSensor IR]) and analog-based Phidgets (such as the [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1125 1125 - Humidity/Temperature Sensor]). But we have a variety of different environmental sensors that you could use on your system. The included [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1018 1018 - PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8] on board the SBC can handle up to 8 analog sensors, and 8 digital in sensors like switches.

			Take note that the rated temperature range for the SBC is 0-70°C. You will also notice that it looks substantially colder in most of the pictures than 0°C! There are a few reasons for this. The first is that the SBC is being kept in a sealed container with some (admittedly minor) insulation. Also keep in mind that the SBC will generate heat just like any electronics that have power flowing through them, the SBC is essentially a 1W heater all by itself which when inside the case keeps the temperature up significantly above the outside temperature. That said the temperature inside the case is still below 0 on a fairly regular basis. This just goes to show you that the temperature range is not a hard limit and the board will function below it, however there are no guarantees at this point, the SBC could stop functioning at basically any time. It would start up again as the temperature increased but it is very likely that the board seizes up and remains inoperable for long periods of time if it is not being monitored. This was a risk we took and luckily we didn't run into any issues. For the record the coldest temperatures we recorded during the operation of this weather station were between -10 and -15°C. I would not recommend attempting to run it in a colder environment than that without steps being taken to actively heat the board.

	Using these components requires a bit of care, so the next sections give some suggestions on how to use each Phidget.		Using these components requires a bit of care, so the next sections give some suggestions on how to use each Phidget.

Mparadis at 14:45, 10 August 2012

2012-08-10T14:45:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:45, 10 August 2012
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	We will be writing our Phidget code in Python. This code will then be scheduled to run - via [[OS - Phidget SBC#Via Cron\|cron]] on the SBC - to sample data once per minute and take a webcam photo once every thirty minutes.		We will be writing our Phidget code in Python. This code will then be scheduled to run - via [[OS - Phidget SBC#Via Cron\|cron]] on the SBC - to sample data once per minute and take a webcam photo once every thirty minutes.

	Since the weather station runs autonomously - on its own, in the wild - you will need to write code that runs on the SBC itself, as you will have no external computer to control the SBC. This depends on the SBC being set up as described in the [[1072 ~~- Getting Started~~]] page, and then additionally as described in the [[OS - Phidget SBC]] page. Namely, to follow along with this particular station design, you will need:		Since the weather station runs autonomously - on its own, in the wild - you will need to write code that runs on the SBC itself, as you will have no external computer to control the SBC. This depends on the SBC being set up as described in the [[1072 User Guide]] page, and then additionally as described in the [[OS - Phidget SBC]] page. Namely, to follow along with this particular station design, you will need:
	* [[OS - Phidget SBC#SSH\|SSH]] enabled		* [[OS - Phidget SBC#SSH\|SSH]] enabled
	* [[OS - Phidget SBC#Installing Python\|Python installed]]		* [[OS - Phidget SBC#Installing Python\|Python installed]]

Cora at 21:43, 29 June 2012

2012-06-29T21:43:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:43, 29 June 2012
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	The Single Board Computer is just that - a computer! So you could install something like the [http://www.r-project.org R Statistical Package] (you can do this by using [[OS - Phidget SBC#apt\|apt-get install r-base]] over [[OS - Phidget SBC#SSH\|SSH]] on the SBC) and do analysis on the data as it comes in.		The Single Board Computer is just that - a computer! So you could install something like the [http://www.r-project.org R Statistical Package] (you can do this by using [[OS - Phidget SBC#apt\|apt-get install r-base]] over [[OS - Phidget SBC#SSH\|SSH]] on the SBC) and do analysis on the data as it comes in.

	[[File:app_guide_weatherstn_farshot.jpg\|500px\|link=alt=]]		[[File:app_guide_weatherstn_farshot.jpg\|500px\|link=\|alt=]]

Cora: /* Phidget Infrared Temperature Sensor (IR Sensor) */

2012-06-29T17:18:11Z

Phidget Infrared Temperature Sensor (IR Sensor)

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:18, 29 June 2012
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	Note that you will need to calibrate the data received from this sensor. When you can control all of the variables around what you are using the IR board to measure, you can get very accurate measurements. But in the out-of-doors with a weather station, you will use the board temperature, any shaded temperatures you get from the [[#Phidget Temperature and Humidity Sensor\|second temperature sensor]], and thermal measurement theory to correct the value the sensor receives. Error includes:		Note that you will need to calibrate the data received from this sensor. When you can control all of the variables around what you are using the IR board to measure, you can get very accurate measurements. But in the out-of-doors with a weather station, you will use the board temperature, any shaded temperatures you get from the [[#Phidget Temperature and Humidity Sensor\|second temperature sensor]], and thermal measurement theory to correct the value the sensor receives. Error includes:
	* Warming of the IR board itself (i.e. you may need corrections based on board temperature)		* Warming of the IR board itself (i.e. you may need corrections based on board temperature)
	* Emissivity of your subject being less than 1.0 (for more information on emissivity, see the [[1045 - PhidgetTemperatureSensor IR]] product page)		* Emissivity of your subject being less than 1.0 (for more information on emissivity, see the [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1045 1045 - PhidgetTemperatureSensor IR] product page)
	* Measurement of any reflected heat in addition to emitted heat (this also depends on the emissivity)		* Measurement of any reflected heat in addition to emitted heat (this also depends on the emissivity)

Cora: /* Phidgets */

2012-06-29T17:17:37Z

Phidgets

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:17, 29 June 2012
Line 96:		Line 96:
	\|		\|
	[{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1018 PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8] <br>		[{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1018 PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8] <br>
	(included on-board with the [[1072 - PhidgetSBC2]])		(included on-board with the [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1072 1072 PhidgetSBC2])
	\|- style="background: #efefef;"		\|- style="background: #efefef;"
	\|		\|

Cora: /* Phidgets */

2012-06-29T17:17:12Z

Phidgets

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:17, 29 June 2012
Line 111:		Line 111:
	\|}		\|}

	The SBC has the ability to run both USB-based Phidgets (such as the [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1045 1045 - PhidgetTemperatureSensor IR]) and analog-based Phidgets (such as the [[1125 - Humidity/Temperature Sensor]]). But we have a variety of different environmental sensors that you could use on your system. The included [[1018 - PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8]] on board the SBC can handle up to 8 analog sensors, and 8 digital in sensors like switches.		The SBC has the ability to run both USB-based Phidgets (such as the [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1045 1045 - PhidgetTemperatureSensor IR]) and analog-based Phidgets (such as the [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1125 1125 - Humidity/Temperature Sensor]). But we have a variety of different environmental sensors that you could use on your system. The included [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1018 1018 - PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8] on board the SBC can handle up to 8 analog sensors, and 8 digital in sensors like switches.

	Using these components requires a bit of care, so the next sections give some suggestions on how to use each Phidget.		Using these components requires a bit of care, so the next sections give some suggestions on how to use each Phidget.
Line 121:		Line 121:
	The IR board should be:		The IR board should be:
	* Encased and sealed (such as with a Phidget Enclosure and low-temperature caulk) against the weather		* Encased and sealed (such as with a Phidget Enclosure and low-temperature caulk) against the weather
	* Suspended at the right height for the sample size of ground needed (see the [[1045 - PhidgetTemperatureSensor IR]] specifications for the degrees of view you have)		* Suspended at the right height for the sample size of ground needed (see the [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1045 1045 - PhidgetTemperatureSensor IR] specifications for the degrees of view you have)
	* Suspended far enough away from the station that it is measuring only ground, and not measuring the base of the station		* Suspended far enough away from the station that it is measuring only ground, and not measuring the base of the station
	* Reasonably protected from solar heating (having a large station arm above it and shading it will probably do it)		* Reasonably protected from solar heating (having a large station arm above it and shading it will probably do it)

Cora: /* Phidgets */

2012-06-29T15:47:04Z

Phidgets

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:47, 29 June 2012
Line 79:		Line 79:
	* Control the USB Phidget (IR sensor)		* Control the USB Phidget (IR sensor)
	* Run the code		* Run the code
	\|[[1072 - PhidgetSBC2]]		\|[{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1072 1072 - PhidgetSBC2]
	\|- style="background: #efefef;"		\|- style="background: #efefef;"
	\|		\|
	* Read surface temperature of ground, without touching it		* Read surface temperature of ground, without touching it
	* Provide ambient air temperature at board location		* Provide ambient air temperature at board location
	\|[[1045 - PhidgetTemperatureSensor IR]]		\|[{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1045 1045 - PhidgetTemperatureSensor IR]
	\|- style="background: #efefef;"		\|- style="background: #efefef;"
	\|		\|
	* Measure ambient air temperature		* Measure ambient air temperature
	* Measure ambient air humidity		* Measure ambient air humidity
	\|[[1125 - Humidity/Temperature Sensor]]		\|[{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1125 1125 - Humidity/Temperature Sensor]
	\|- style="background: #efefef;"		\|- style="background: #efefef;"
	\|		\|