An Inexpensive Remote Snow-Depth Gauge based on Ultrasonic Wave Reflection from the Snow Surface

Abstract Total snow depth is determined by measuring the time of flight of an ultrasonic wave packet emitted from a sonic transmitter above the snow surface and reflected from the snow surface back to the receiver/transmitter system. The light-weight system is battery powered (operating time without...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Glaciology
Main Author: Gubler, H.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1981
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s002214300001131x
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S002214300001131X
Description
Summary:Abstract Total snow depth is determined by measuring the time of flight of an ultrasonic wave packet emitted from a sonic transmitter above the snow surface and reflected from the snow surface back to the receiver/transmitter system. The light-weight system is battery powered (operating time without battery change at least 8 months) and can be fixed to any post above the snow surface. The absolute precision is better than ±0.03 m. Data and commands are transmitted by a single two-wire system up to several kilometres.