Compact 3D Ultrasonic Anemometers & Weather Sensors for Drones, UAVs & GCS

United States of America
LI-COR

Compact 3D Ultrasonic Anemometers & Weather Sensors for Drones, UAVs & GCS

TriSonica Mini UAV Wind SensorLI-COR Environmental presents the world’s smallest and lightest three-dimensional ultrasonic anemometer – the TriSonica™ Mini. Our compact, robust meteorological instruments deliver unmatched precision and accuracy for use in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV, UAS, drones) and other unmanned platforms, and are ideal for a wide range of applications, including environmental monitoring, precision agriculture and wind profiling.

TriSonicaâ„¢ Mini 3D Ultrasonic Wind Sensor

The world’s smallest and lightest 3D Ultrasonic Anemometer

TriSonica Mini Wind & Weather Sensor with Pipe-Mount Base

TriSonica Mini Wind & Weather Sensor with Pipe-Mount Base

The TriSonica™ Mini is the world’s smallest and lightest 3D ultrasonic anemometer. Small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, it weighs just 50 grams and has no moving parts, making it an ideal ultrasonic wind sensor for UAVs and other SWaP (size, weight and power)-conscious systems.

The TriSonicaâ„¢ Mini Wind and Weather Sensor provides wind speed, direction, temperature, humidity, pressure, tilt, and compass data outputs, as well as measurements of all three dimensions of air flow.

The compact, lightweight system uses acoustic wave pulses to sense wind movements in three dimensions (pitch, roll and yaw), providing high-accuracy real-time wind data for small drones and other mobile platforms.

Four open measurement paths of just 35mm – engineered to provide minimal distortion of the wind field – provide measurement redundancy as the path with the most distortion is removed from the calculations.

Compact Solid-State Weather Monitoring for Drones & UAV GCS

Mini Wind and Weather Sensor for DronesLightweight, rugged, and highly accurate, the TriSonicaâ„¢ Mini Wind and Weather Sensor maintains accurate measurements even at tilt angles of up to 15 degrees, making it an ideal choice for moving platforms such as drones and USVs (unmanned surface vessels).

The sensor can be easily incorporated into UAV ground control stations (GCS) and other space-constrained positions where high-accuracy environmental data is required.

An integrated pipe-mount base option streamlines and simplifies integration on multi-rotor unmanned aircraft systems.  The pipe-mount base will accommodate any 1/2″ DN15 Schedule 10 pipe, and wiring runs on the interior of the pipe to protect components. The pipe-mount version uses a 12-Pin circular connector, brings out the RS-422 signals, plus the trigger signal to synchronize multiple instruments.

The glass-filled nylon body and carbon fiber corner rods, provide durability and ruggedness making it the perfect choice for fixed installations or UAS/drone deployments.

Anemoment TriSonica MiniThe TriSonicaâ„¢ Mini anemometer outputs an ASCII string via RS-232 that can easily be stored to a text file. Data emulation allows the system to be directly connected to existing off-the-shelf data loggers without costly changes to associated electronics. Data output is factory set to user requirements and includes the emulation of many common types of wind sensors, allowing the TriSonicaâ„¢ Mini to be used as a convenient upgrade to older, bulkier devices.

Specifications:

Size 9.1cm x 9.1cm x 5.2cm
Weight 50 grams
Data Output Rates 1Hz, 2Hz, 5Hz, 10 Hz
Wind Speed Range: 0-50 m/s
Resolution: 0.1 m/s
Accuracy (0-15 m/s): ±0.1 m/s
Accuracy (15-30 m/s): ±2%
Wind Direction Range (x/y): 0-360°
Range (z): ±30°
Resolution: 1.0°
Accuracy: ±1.0°
Temperature Range: -25°C to +80°C
Resolution: 0.1°C
Accuracy: ±2°C
Humidity Range: 0-100% RH
Resolution: 0.1%
Accuracy: ±3%
Pressure Range: 50-115 kPa
Resolution: 0.1 kPa
Accuracy: ±1.0 kPa
Accelerometer Range (x, y, z): ±2g
Tilt (Pitch, Roll): ±90°
Magnetometer Range (x, y, z): ±16 Gauss
Heading Accuracy: ±5.0°

TriSonicaâ„¢ Sphere Ultrasonic Wind Sensor

3D wind flux sensor for UAS deployments

TriSonica Sphere Wind Flux SensorThe TriSonicaâ„¢ Sphere Wind Flux Sensor has been specially designed for atmospheric flux, turbulence and eddy covariance research, featuring high-precision vertical wind measurement and sampling rates of up to 100 Hz. With a lightweight yet durable aluminium construction, the low-SWaP sensor is ideal for integration into UAS platforms.

The sensor’s unique spherical design significantly reduces shadow correction while increasing the accuracy of vertical wind measurements. Open path geometry allows it to accurately capture wind measurements in all three dimensions of air flow with the least possible distortion of the wind field.

The TriSonica™ Sphere also measures temperatures from -40°C to 85°C, as well as tilt on the pitch and roll axes.

Specifications:

Dimensions 10.2 x 10.2 x 24.9 cm
Weight 225 g
Power Consumption 500 mW, 5 – 36V
Measurement Path 60mm
Operating Frequency 60 kHz
Data Output Rates 1Hz, 2Hz, 5Hz, 10Hz, 20Hz, 25Hz, 50Hz, 100Hz

Ultrasonic Anemometer Applications

Precision Agriculture & Drone Anemometers

Unmanned aircraft are commonly used for precision agriculture applications such as airborne fertilizer and pesticide spraying.

Compact Wind Sensor for Drone

Environmental conditions can affect spray deposits and coverage, and the miniature TriSonicaâ„¢ Mini anemometer is an ideal lightweight solution for gathering information on wind speed, direction and other factors that can help decision-making for precision agriculture operations.

Drone Anemometers & Atmospheric Monitoring

Drone AnemometersThe TriSonicaâ„¢ Mini anemometer can be attached to a fixed-wing UAV or multi-rotor drone, as well as tethered air blimps (TAB) or kites, in order to accurately capture boundary layer profiles and assess changes in atmospheric surface layer turbulence.

Marine Anemometers & Naval Vessel Wind Profiling

Landing unmanned helicopters and other UAVs on naval vessels is a challenging task that requires precise real-time knowledge of the surrounding wind conditions. The TriSonicaâ„¢ Mini ultrasonic anemometer is an ideal marine anemometer for capturing the data needed to support such operations.

Products

TriSonica Data Logger

Data logging & storage for up to four TriSonica wind sensors

TriSonica Mini Wind and Weather Sensor

World’s smallest and lightest 3D ultrasonic anemometer.

TriSonica Sphere Wind Flux Sensor

The 3D Sonic ideal for UAS-based atmospheric flux studies.

Articles

Latest
Employing Wind & Weather Sensors for Effective Trace Gas Research

LI-COR’s TriSonica® Mini Wind and Weather Sensor was used by the Earth Systems Observation Group at LANL as part of a field campaign to study methane emissions in Houston, Texas

Jan 22, 2025
Enhancing Atmospheric Modeling with UAS Sensors

Learn how AEgis Technology Group utilizes advanced sensors such as LI-COR's TriSonica® Mini to improve atmospheric profiling and enhance high-energy laser performance through precise optical turbulence measurements

Jan 03, 2025
Investigating Solar Eclipse Effects on Atmospheric Boundary Layers with UAVs

LI-COR's TriSonica® Mini Wind and Weather Sensor was mounted on two UAVs and employed by the University of Kentucky to measure atmospheric boundary layer changes during a solar eclipse

Dec 03, 2024
LI-COR: TriSonica® Mini Delivers Key Wind Data for Turbine & Tower Sites

LI-COR details how its TriSonica® Mini Wind and Weather Sensor provides essential data for evaluating sites intended for wind turbines and telecommunications towers

Nov 07, 2024
TriSonica Mini Enhances Real-Time Weather Data Collection

LI-COR outlines how the TriSonica Mini Wind and Weather Sensor, with its compact design and advanced capabilities, has transformed how weather stations like the Njord gather real-time weather data

Oct 14, 2024
Measuring Solar Eclipse Wind with Ultrasonic Anemometers

Researchers used LI-COR’s LI-550F TriSonica® Mini Wind and Weather Sensor, an ultrasonic anemometer, to measure wind during the April 2024 solar eclipse across the continental U.S.

Sep 18, 2024
Anemoment Acquired by Environmental Tech Innovator

Environmental technology innovator LI-COR has acquired Anemoment LLC specialists in mobile sensing systems used in exacting meteorological applications

Dec 21, 2022
Wind Sensors for Trace Gas Research

Anemoment has released the following article highlighting how the company’s ultrasonic wind sensors have been used to study methane leaks...

Sep 14, 2022
Lightweight Data Logger for UAV Weather Sensors

The DL422 weighs just 30.5 grams and supports Anemoment sensors as well as other serial ASCII-based instruments

Jul 11, 2022
SWaP-Optimized 3D Sonic Anemometers for UAV-based Atmospheric Research

Anemoment is displaying its TriSonica Mini Wind & Weather Sensor and TriSonica Sphere Wind Flux Sensor at AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2022

Apr 25, 2022
UAVs & SWaP-Optimized 3D Wind Sensors: Placement & Use Cases

CEO of Anemoment Liz Osborn, discusses the design, engineering and uses of Anemoment’s SWaP-optimized 3D wind sensors specifically for use in unmanned aerial systems.

Apr 20, 2022
Ultrasonic Anemometers for Air Flow Measurement

Anemoment has released the following article detailing how ultrasonic anemometers are used in the measurement and characterization of air flow....

Dec 30, 2021
Anemoment Selects New Distributor for Central America & Mexico

Anemoment has confirmed that it has awarded the exclusive distribution rights in Central America and Mexico for its family of...

Nov 09, 2021
North American Monsoon Research with UAS

Anemoment has released a case study highlighting how its TriSonica Mini wind and weather sensor has been used by researchers...

Oct 05, 2021
3D Sonic Anemometer for UAS-Based Atmospheric Research

Anemoment has released its newest 3D sonic anemometer, the TriSonica Sphere Wind Flux Sensor. Developed in conjunction with advanced engineering...

Aug 16, 2021
Drone-Based Gas Detection System Uses Miniature Ultrasonic Anemometer

Anemoment has confirmed that its TriSonica Mini sonic anemometer has been incorporated into a new drone-based gas leak detection system....

Apr 12, 2021
Artificial Rain Generation with UAVs

Anemoment has released the following case study detailing the use of the company’s TriSonica Mini wind and weather sensor on...

Mar 04, 2021
UAVs for Meteorological Profiling in Wildfire Environments

Anemoment has released the following article detailing research performed with unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into environmental conditions occuring during wildfires....

Nov 11, 2020
Weather Sensors Aid Drone-Based Atmospheric Studies

Anemoment has released a set of case studies showing how UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) manufacturers and researchers have used the...

Jul 04, 2020
Measuring Microclimate Surface Layer Physics from a Tethered Balloon

Anemoment, a developer of compact ultrasonic anemometers for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other platforms, has released the following article...

Jun 13, 2020
Joint Atmospheric Sensor Compatibility for UAS Announced

Anemoment, a developer of specialist meteorological instruments, and International Met Systems (InterMet), a supplier of atmospheric sensors and sounding systems,...

Jan 16, 2020
Anemoment Extends Authorized Distributors Program

Anemoment LLC, a specialized designer of meteorological instruments, has announced that it has added Nippon Kaiyo Co. Ltd. to its...

Oct 02, 2019
TriSonica Ultrasonic Anemometer Upgraded for Remote Monitoring

Anemoment LLC, a specialized meteorological instrument design firm, has announced integration of the company’s TriSonica Mini Wind and Weather Sensor...

Apr 30, 2019
Integrated Data Logging Solution Launched for UAV Anemometers

Anemoment LLC, a designer of specialized meteorological instruments for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has announced the availability of the Anemoment...

Apr 29, 2019
Anemoment Expands International Wind Sensor Distribution Program

Anemoment, a specialized meteorological instrument design firm, has announced the addition of Sparv Embedded AB to its International Authorized Distribution...

Feb 11, 2019
Anemoment Develops 3D Ultrasonic Wind Sensors & Tactical Weather Stations for UAVs

Anemoment, a leading developer of compact three-dimensional ultrasonic anemometers for UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and ground control stations (GCS), has...

Sep 13, 2018
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