Kunkle, G.A., 2018, Evaluation of the Radar Stage Sensor Manufactured by Forest Technology Systems, Incorporated—Results of Laboratory and Field Testing: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F71C1VSR.
Summary
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. Data were obtained as part of a field test where a single RSS was installed at a site on the Wolf [...]
Summary
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. Data were obtained as part of a field test where a single RSS was installed at a site on the Wolf River near Landon, MS for 6 weeks. The radar's performance was compared to a previously-installed Sutron Accubar Constant Flow Bubble Gauge to verify that measurements from the radar agreed with water level measurements from the existing gage.
On February 16, 2016, the reference bubble gauge stopped reporting data. This continued for approximately 18 hours, upon which it began reporting data again. This time period was excluded from all data analysis. The cause of the error is unknown.
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FTS RSS Field Test, Wolf River, 2016.xml Original FGDC Metadata
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FTS RSS_Field Test_Wolf River_Dat15Min.csv
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Purpose
Data were obtained as part of an instrument evaluation of the Forest Technology Systems (FTS) Radar Stage Sensor. This data set was used to evaluate the performance of the RSS in a field environment. Instrument and equipment evaluations are done primarily to determine if particular devices would be suitable for use by USGS personnel for hydrologic data collection. Results presented herein were obtained with the instrument model and firmware used at the time of testing, and may or may not represent results obtained from software updates and instrument model improvements. The instrument evaluation results presented are not indicative of an endorsement by the USGS of the tested instrument.