1. Product Overview
The INK432 Weather Phenomenon Visibility Sensor is a domestically developed, high-precision optical instrument built to meet international WMO observation standards. It is engineered to identify all types of precipitation—including rain, freezing rain, drizzle, freezing drizzle, mixed rain/snow, snow, and ice pellets—while simultaneously measuring visibility in real time. Using advanced optical technology, it provides accurate precipitation amount estimates and type classification, alongside visibility data, making it suitable for deployment in meteorological, transportation, marine, airport, and environmental protection applications.
2. Sensing Technology & Self-Cleaning System
The INK432 uses forward-scatter measurement technology for both visibility and precipitation detection:
- Visibility Sensing: The sensor emits a 940 nm infrared light source at a 33° forward-scatter angle. Light is scattered by airborne particles (fog, mist, haze, dust, smoke), and the sensor measures the intensity of the scattered light to calculate visibility, with high accuracy across 5–10,000 m ranges.
- Precipitation Detection: Precipitation particles (rain, snow, hail) interact with the light beam, causing unique scattering patterns. The sensor analyzes these patterns to identify precipitation type (rain, snow, drizzle, etc.) and estimate precipitation amount, with a sensitivity of ≤0.05 mm/h within 10 minutes.
- Environmental Adaptation & Maintenance: While the sensor does not include an active self-cleaning system, its IP66-rated enclosure protects against wind, snow, corrosion, and electromagnetic interference. The integrated, compact design minimizes exposure to contaminants, reducing maintenance needs in outdoor environments.
3. Key Features & Competitive Advantages
- Multi-Parameter Integration: Combines precipitation type detection and visibility measurement into a single compact unit, eliminating the need for separate sensors and reducing installation complexity and costs.
- WMO-Compliant Performance: Designed and produced to meet international WMO observation standards, ensuring data accuracy and compatibility with meteorological monitoring networks.
- High-Precision Optical Technology: Forward-scatter measurement provides reliable visibility data with ±2% accuracy (≤1000 m) and ±10% accuracy (>1000 m), with 1 m resolution for detailed visibility tracking.
- All-Weather Precipitation Detection: Identifies a full range of precipitation types (rain, snow, hail, drizzle, freezing rain) with high sensitivity, supporting accurate weather phenomenon classification.
- Rugged, IP66-Rated Construction: Windproof, snowproof, corrosion-resistant, and electromagnetic interference-resistant, ensuring stable operation in harsh outdoor environments.
- Compact, Low-Maintenance Design: Lightweight, integrated structure with simple installation and maintenance, ideal for long-term deployment in remote or hard-to-access locations.
- Flexible Communication Options: Supports RS232 or RS485 digital interfaces for seamless integration with weather stations, traffic management systems, and environmental monitoring platforms.
- Wide Operating Conditions: Operates reliably across -40 °C to +60 °C and 0–100% RH, suitable for diverse climatic conditions from cold winter regions to humid coastal areas.
4. Technical Specifications
| Parameter |
Specification |
| Identifiable Precipitation States |
Rain, freezing rain, drizzle, freezing drizzle, mixed rain/snow, snow, ice pellets; fog, mist, haze (smoke, dust) or clear |
| Precipitation Sensitivity |
0.05 mm/h or less within 10 minutes |
| Operating Temperature |
-40 ~ +60 °C |
| Operating Principle |
Forward-scatter measurement |
| Operating Humidity |
0 ~ 100 %RH |
| Measurement Range |
5 ~ 10,000 m (customizable) |
| Accuracy |
±2 % (≤1000 m); ±10 % (>1000 m) |
| Resolution |
1 m |
| Forward Scatter Angle |
33° |
| Light Source Wavelength |
940 nm |
| Power Supply |
DC 12 V |
| Power Consumption |
≤10 W |
| Output |
RS232 or RS485 |
| Protection Class |
IP66 |
| Weight |
3.5 kg |
| Dimensions |
700 × 550 × 200 mm |
5. Applications
- Traffic meteorological monitoring for road safety and weather-related traffic alerts
- Meteorological stations and weather observation networks for precipitation and visibility tracking
- Airport weather monitoring to support takeoff/landing safety and visibility-based operations
- Marine and coastal monitoring for navigation safety and weather forecasting
- Environmental protection and air quality monitoring for fog, haze, and dust events
- Transportation infrastructure monitoring (highways, railways) for adverse weather detection
- Smart city environmental monitoring systems for urban weather phenomenon tracking
- Research and academic applications for meteorological and environmental studies
