A+T 520 series wind sensors - a world first with masthead motion measurement
by A+T Instruments 10 Nov 2022 05:25 PST
520 series wind sensors © A+T
A+T's new 520 series wind sensors are the first production units which directly measure the acceleration and hence velocity at the masthead then transmit this to the instrument processor for masthead motion compensation of the measured wind.
Combined with the fast and stable response of the A+T wind sensor, this is the biggest step forward in masthead wind compensation since Graeme Winn developed the rate gyro method back in the 1990's with Sailmath.
While masthead motion has been measured in a number of one-off campaigns including America's Cups, the new A+T development is the first production unit to bring this to the wider racing and superyacht market. The measurement is made in the wind sensor itself so adds no additional weight or windage.
An upgraded MHU pcb is fitted into the 500 series wind sensor and this has an embedded 6 axis motion sensor. Together with the wind data this motion data is sent at 100 Hz in digital format down the existing mast cable for processing. The A+T family of high specification instrument processors utilise this data for wind measurement compensation. Shortly this will also be introduced for the FaRo instrument processor from FaRo Advanced Systems in Italy. Other manufacturers of instruments are welcome to introduce these features; A+T are providing the output in a published open format.
This now extends the family of A+T wind sensors, which have twice as fast angular response of other products in this market and are all made in short horizontal 'stubby' versions as well as vertical carbon wands:
- 500 Analogue output (pulse and 3 phases for angle) for existing systems and as parts and replacements for B&G 213 wind sensors
- 510 Digital output sending NMEA0183HS at 20Hz
- 520 Digital output, custom serial format, sending wind and motion data at 100Hz
The launch price for the 520 motion sensing wind sensor pcb is GBP 825.
There will be a dynamic demonstration at METSTRADE 2022, the A+T Instruments stand is in the Superyacht Pavilion, stand number 10.517.