ALMA-J Site Testing
＞ALMA-J Site Testing Archive
Last update 2005-01-24


High Response Anemometer

    An anemometer with improved time response (up to 4 Hz) was installed at Pampa la Bola (4800 m a.s.l.) in 1999 March. Wind power spectral density up to ~ 1 Hz measured near Cerro Chajnantor was analyzed. The power spectral density of variable component is represented by its value around 0.1 Hz. Median values of the wind power spectral density are smaller than those predicted by the Simiu model with a roughness length of 0.05 m in most cases. The 90-percentile values of the wind power spectral density are approximately three times larger than the corresponding median values. The wind power spectral density is not a simple function of mean wind velocity, and sometimes shows significant suppression after sunset. There exists no significant change of the wind power spectral density and roughness length that depend on the wind direction. Agreement of wind velocity measured at 8.0 m and 3.0 m above the surface within a few 10% difference supports small roughness length (<< 0.5). The van der Hoven spectrum extracted from long-term weather station data implies that the weather system in this area is very stable and change of mean wind velocity (i.e., duration of gusty conditions) is dominated by the diurnal cycle.

Specifications

    AnemometerTypeN-800S (Nippon Electric Instrument Inc.)
    Sampling interval0.25 s
    Response4 m (distance constant)
    Wind velocity range0.4 - 60 m s-1
    Survival conditions> 90 m s-1
    IndicatorTypeN-262D (Nippon Electric Instrument Inc.)
    Wind velocity range1 - 60 m s-1
    Accuracy (direction)(+/-)5 deg
    Accuracy (velocity)(+/-)0.5 m s-1; < 10 m s-1
    (+/-)5%; < 10 m s-1
    SystemTotal weight3 kg (N-800S)
    Power consumption?? W

Technical Description


    Figure 1: Schematic drawing

References