CALYPSO ULTRA-LOW-POWER ULTRASONIC STD (ULP STD) WIND METER

1. Product Overview

Thank you for choosing the ULP STD wind meter from Calypso Instruments. This is the first model of our generation II, representing an important technology breakthrough condensing an extensive R+D investment.

• Both shape and firmware have been enhanced for an improved rain performance. This is key for static applications such as weather stations.
• Mechanical design has been revamped making the unit more robust and dependable.
• The unit requires under 0.4 mA of power at 5V, sampling at 1Hz.
• Different output options are available: RS485, UART/TTL, MODBUS, and NMEA 2000.

Applications for the ULP STD include:

• Weather Stations ☁️
• Drones ?
• Temporary Scaffolding and construction ?️
• Infrastructures and building ?️
• Cranes ?️
• Spraying ?
• Irrigation ?
• Fertilizing ?
• Precision Agriculture ?
• Smart Cities ?️
• Wild fires ?
• Shooting ?
• Scientific Sailing ⛵

2. Package Content

The package contains the following:

• Ultrasonic ULP STD Wind Instrument plus 2 meter (6.5 ft) cable for connection*.
• Serial number reference on the side of the packaging.
• A quick user guide on the back of the packaging and some more useful information for the customer.
• M4 headless screw (x6)*
• M4 screw (x3)*

* Non applicable to the ULP NMEA 2000 model.

3. Technical Specifications

3.1. Dimensions

Diameter: 68 mm (2.68 in.)

Height: 65 mm (2.56 in.)

Wiring and Data Interface

The ULP STD has specific wiring for different output protocols:

RS485/MODBUS RTU Output:

• White wire: GND (Power -)
• Brown wire: VCC (Power +)
• Yellow wire: DATA (B-)
• Green wire: DATA (A +)

UART/TTL Output:

• White wire: GND (Power -)
• Brown wire: VCC (Power +)
• Yellow wire: DATA RX
• Green wire: DATA TX

3.2. Weight

210 grams (7.4 ounces)

3.3. Power

• 3.3-1 VDC
• 6-15VDC (NMEA 2000)

Power Consumption:

• Ultra-Low-Power (RS485 NMEA0183): 0.25mA @5V, 1Hz
• Ultra-Low-Power (MODBUS): 1 mA @5V, 1Hz
• Ultra-Low-Power (UART / I2C): 0.15 mA @5V, 1Hz
• Ultra-Low-Power NMEA 2000: 20 mA @115.200 bauds, 12V

The ULP STD must be connected as shown in the wiring section.

3.4. Sensors

Features 4 ultrasonic transducers with a sample rate of 0.1 Hz to 10 Hz.

The ULP is designed to avoid mechanical parts for maximum reliability and minimal maintenance. The transducers communicate in pairs using ultrasonic range waves to calculate signal delay and derive wind direction and wind speed.

3.5. Wind Information

Wind Speed:

• Sample rate: 1 Hz
• Range: 0 to 45 m/s (1.12 to 100 mph)
• Accuracy: ±0.1 m/s at 10m/s (0.22 at 22.4 mph)
• Threshold: 1 m/s (2.24 mph)

Wind Direction:

• Range: 0 - 359°
• Accuracy: ±1°

3.6. Easy Mount

• 3 x M4 lateral female tripod thread
• 3 x M4 base female tripod thread
• UNC 1/4"-20

The unit can be mounted on a plate (using base screws) or on a tube (using lateral screws).

North Mark Position

Make sure the north mark on the unit is perfectly aligned to the geographical north.

3.7. Mounting Accessories

A wide range of accessories are available for mounting the ULP STD on flat surfaces or poles of various sizes. An adaptor for 39 mm poles is also available.

Please visit the Calypso Instruments website to check available accessories and their combinations.

4. Configuration Options

The ULP STD can be configured using a special configuration application from Calypso Instruments. Download the configurator from www.calypsoinstruments.com.

To configure your device, connect the ULP via a USB to RS485 converter cable (for ULP RS485 or ULP Modbus) or a USB to UART converter cable (for ULP UART). Connect all ULP cables except the brown wire to the converter. Insert the USB into the computer, open the configurator app, select the desired configuration, and follow the on-screen instructions.

For more information, watch the video: https://bit.ly/3DuA7IM.

* USB converter cables are available on calypsoinstruments.com.

Configuration Application Interface:

The Calypso Instruments Ultrasonic ULP Configurator application allows users to:

• Select the COM port.
• Choose configuration settings such as Baudrate, Data Rate, Wind Filter, and Wind Units.
• Connect wires (except power) and then connect the power wire.
• Start the configuration process.
• Monitor connection status.

5. Communication Protocols

* Non applicable to the ULP NMEA 2000 model.

5.1 Modbus Registers

The following registers are used for Modbus communication:

• DIR_BASE_LA1: 30001
• SYSTEM_STATUS: DIR_BASE_LA1 + 200
• WIND_SPEED: DIR_BASE_LA1 + 201
• WIND_DIRECTION: DIR_BASE_LA1 + 202
• TWO_MIN_AVG_WS: DIR_BASE_LA1 + 203
• TWO_MIN_AVG_WD: DIR_BASE_LA1 + 204
• TEN_MIN_AVG_WS: DIR_BASE_LA1 + 205
• TEN_MIN_AVG_WD: DIR_BASE_LA1 + 206
• WIND_GUST_SPEED: DIR_BASE_LA1 + 207
• WIND_GUST_DIR: DIR_BASE_LA1 + 208
• FIVE_MIN_AVG_WS: DIR_BASE_LA1 + 210
• FIVE_MIN_AVG_WD: DIR_BASE_LA1 + 211
• FIVE_WIND_GUST_SPEED: DIR_BASE_LA1 + 212
• FIVE_WIND_GUST_DIR: DIR_BASE_LA1 + 213

5.2 RS485 and UART Sentences

MWV Wind Speed and Angle:

Format: $--MWV,x.x,a,x.x,a*hh

1. Wind Angle, 0 to 360 degrees
2. Reference: R = Relative, T = True
3. Wind Speed
4. Wind Speed Units: K/M/N
5. Status: A = Data Valid
6. Checksum

MWV Sentence: 38400bps 8N1

The connection is straightforward with no configuration required. The hardware interface is RS485, 4800bps, 8N1. The logical interface NMEA0183 uses MWV ASCII simple phrases for direction and wind speed.

Example sentences:

$IIMWV,316,R,06.9,N,A*18

$IIMWV,316,R,06.8,N,A*19

5.3 I2C Sentences

General Options:

• Address: I2C-0x15 (21 decimal)
• Frequency: 100kHz – 400kHz
• SDA: TX (Yellow wire)
• SCL: RX (Green wire)

Write Register:

To write to a register, two bytes are needed: the I2C bus direction and the register address.

• I2C Address (1 Byte): 0x15 (21 decimal)
• Available Registers: Wind Raw Stat (0x10), Wind 2 Min Stat (0x12), Wind 5 Min Stat (0x15), Wind 10 Min Stat (0x1A), Wind Full Stats (0x1F).

Read Register:

When reading registers, consider the number of bytes returned and the data format. Data is in big-endian criteria, where the first byte is the most valuable.

Example: If 2 bytes are read (0x05 and 0x0A), the first byte (0x05) is the most significant.

Write Wind Raw Register Return (7 Bytes):

• Bytes 0-1: Unused
• Bytes 2-3: Wind Speed * 100
• Bytes 4-5: Wind Direction * 100
• Byte 6: Checksum

Write Wind 2 Min Stat Register Return (11 Bytes):

• Bytes 0-1: Unused
• Bytes 2-3: Wind Speed * 100
• Bytes 4-5: Wind Direction * 100
• Bytes 6-7: Wind Speed Gust * 100
• Bytes 8-9: Wind Direction Gust * 100
• Byte 10: Checksum

Similar structures apply for 5 Min Stat, 10 Min Stat, and Full Stat registers, with varying byte counts for the data.

6. General Information

6.1. General Recommendations

Wind Speed Gust: This value measures abrupt and sudden changes in wind speed.

Mounting:

• Align the north mark of the ULP unit towards the geographical north.
• Prepare the mast head for mechanical installation.
• Install the sensor in a location free from wind perturbation, typically on the mast head.
• Ensure the sensor is installed in a location free from anything obstructing wind flow to the sensors within a 2-meter radius (e.g., avoid mounting directly on a boat mast if it obstructs airflow).

Other Important Aspects:

• Do not attempt to access the transducers area with your fingers.
• Do not attempt any modification to the unit.
• Never paint any part of the unit or alter its surface.
• Do not allow the unit to be submerged fully or partially in water.

If you have any questions or doubts, please contact Calypso Instruments directly.

6.2. Maintenance and Repair

The ULP requires minimal maintenance due to its lack of moving parts.

• Transducers must be kept clean and aligned. Impacts or incorrect handling may lead to misalignment.
• Ensure the space around the transducers is empty and clean. Dust, frost, or water can impede operation.
• The ULP can be wiped clean with a damp cloth, being careful not to touch the transducers.

3. Warranty

This warranty covers defects resulting from faulty parts, materials, or manufacturing, revealed within 24 months of the purchase date.

The warranty is void if instructions for use, repair, or maintenance are not followed or if unauthorized modifications are made.

Calypso Instruments is not responsible for any harm caused by wrongful use or mistakes by the user. Using assembly elements different from those provided will void the guarantee. Changes in transducer position/alignment will also void the warranty.

For further information, contact Calypso Technical Support via sales@calypsoinstruments.com or visit www.calypsoinstruments.com.

MODBUS Sensor Data Requests

Measurements have a resolution of 0.1 but are reported as 10*. For example, 8.2 m/s is returned as 82. The user must divide by 10 to reinsert the decimal precision.

+ If not applicable to ULP-M, the register should report a value of zero (0).

* See Data Format section for numeric conversions.