The FT205 is lightweight and robust making it ideal for integration on drones and UAVs. To provide accurate wind measurements, the wind sensor should be mounted away from the wash of the drone rotors. The sensor can be installed on a flat surface or pole mounted. It can also be mounted upside down.
For surface mounting applications a gasket and fasteners are provided.
For pole mounting applications an adaptor kit is provided for a 20mm diameter pole (the pole is not supplied due to varying customer requirements). The kit includes upper and lower mounting bases, gaskets, and fasteners.
The FT205 Lightweight wind sensor uses a Molex CLIK-Mate connector and is supplied with a 600mm cable. It can output data via RS422 (full-duplex), RS485 (half-duplex) or UART (full-duplex, 3V and 5V). The communication interface option is programmed at the factory and can be modified using software commands.
The sensor is aligned to the structure using the ‘N’ reference, alternatively the compass can be enabled to reference magnetic North.
Mounting to a flat surface
- FT205 lightweight wind sensor
- Gasket
- M3 fasteners
Mounting to a pole
- FT205 lightweight wind sensor
- Gasket
- M3 fasteners
- Pole mount top
- Pole mount base
- Ø20mm diameter pole
The sensor uses a Molex CLIK-Mate PCB connector (part 505405-0860) and is supplied with a 600mm cable (part 15135-0806, alternative lengths are available). The cable is keyed for improved orientation.
RS422 (full-duplex): Ground
RS485 (half-duplex): Ground
Buffered UART (full-duplex): Ground
Molex Wire Colour: BlackPin: 2
RS422 (full-duplex): 6-30 VDC
RS485 (half-duplex): 6-30 VDC
Buffered UART (full-duplex): 6-30 VDC
Molex Wire Colour: BlackPin: 3
RS422 (full-duplex): RS422_A RX (-)
RS485 (half-duplex):
Buffered UART (full-duplex):
Molex Wire Colour: Black
Pin: 4
RS422 (full-duplex): RS422_B RX (+)
RS485 (half-duplex):
Buffered UART (full-duplex):
Molex Wire Colour: Black
RS422 (full-duplex): RS422_A TX (-)
RS485 (half-duplex):
Buffered UART (full-duplex):
Molex Wire Colour: BlackPin: 6
RS422 (full-duplex): RS422_B TX (+)
RS485 (half-duplex):
Buffered UART (full-duplex):
Molex Wire Colour: BlackPin: 7
RS422 (full-duplex):
RS485 (half-duplex):
Buffered UART (full-duplex): UART_RX
Molex Wire Colour: Black
Pin: 8
RS422 (full-duplex):
RS485 (half-duplex):
Buffered UART (full-duplex): UART_TX
Molex Wire Colour: Black
Various configuration settings can be programmed at the factory or through software commands. See the manual for more details.
Filtering
Always keep the sensor’s internal filter enabled. Where the wind sensor is used for control purposes, always use filtered data. The sensor is dispatched with the internal filter enabled by default and set to a filter length of 1.6 seconds.
PC testing of sensors can be performed in RS485HD mode using the Acu-Test Pack (part FT050). This includes an RS485HD-to-USB adaptor to view wind speed and direction in real-time.
With the Acu-Test cable it is possible to communicate with a command-line terminal program, for example HyperTerminal or TeraTerm. Please note that FT Technologies is not responsible for external content or terminal programs.
Further details are available in the product manual. Request a manual.
For details on Acu-Test Packs, cables and connectors please refer to Accessories.