Delta Watch: Configure Meteorological module

Step-by-step guide on how to visualize the data from the basic weather station sensor included with each Delta Link.

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Delta Watch: Configure Meteorological module

This short article will show how to configure and use the Meteorological module in Delta Watch. We will use the data from the Basic weather station that comes with each Delta Link unit, but equally if data is imported from a more advanced weather station with more channels than this can also be used. The basic weather station sensor has got Temperature, Humidity and Pressure sensors onboard and will be referred to as THP sensor from now.

To get the best results from the THP sensor and be able to apply as good as possible PPM corrections to distance measurements taken by a Total station, it should be installed in an appropriate weather shield on a suitable location. The installation of the sensor goes beyond the scope of this document but is discussed in the actual Delta Link manual. The illustration here shows the radiation shield as available from Topcon.

Although there are many places in Delta Watch were the Meteorological data can be used, this article is about configuration of the Meteorological module. For all other uses there is a separate article, the link to this is at the bottom of the page.

Please note that these instructions are for Delta Watch v3.10 and above, sensor creation and data import configuration is done differently in this version, for instructions of older versions of Delta Watch, see the link at the bottom of this article. However, data visualization and usage are the same.

Preparation

For simplicity of this document we assume that:

  • Delta Watch v3.10 or higher is installed
  • The System diagnostics module is configured for each Delta Link in use
  • Data is, or has been, imported already

For details on configuring the System diagnostic module and importing data, see the article: Configure System diagnostics first.

 

Simplified workflow

In the below workflow description, all the greyed out items are either part of the preparation stage or are additional configurations that could be done for visualization.

  1. Configure sensor in the system diagnostics, and assign to this project.
  2. Import data.
  3. Add a sensor field in the Meteorological module. jump to
  4. First view of the data. jump to
  5. Configure alarming.
  6. Configure a view or user defined chart.
  7. Use and View the data in Delta Watch or Delta Live!.

Detailed workflow

Configure sensor in the system diagnostics, and assign to this project

For detailed steps on how to add items to the system diagnostics and create the import definitions, check the article Delta Watch: Configure System diagnostics. That article shows in detail the creation of sensors and import tasks.

What it comes down to is:

  1. Add a DELTA Unit item in the System diagnostics module and assign it to this current project.
  2. Create the import task

Once completed, the sensor can be found in the Sensor Management section of the Point and Limit management module in the project it was assigned to. There should be a sensor entry ending with the text: (Meteo-Sensor).

Import data

If the Delta Link unit is configured in the system diagnostic module, an import task has been created, but no data has been imported yet. Then either wait for some data to import or restore some archived ENV files. There are some options to do so:

  • Look in the Project archive folder under MeteorologicalData, browse to the latest date and unzip some file back into the folder as configured in the import definition.
  • Collect some of the latest original files directly from the Delta Link, these can be found in the /Data folder accessible via the SFTP function on the web-portal.
  • Wait till some files have been sent by the Delta Link unit, this depends on the configuration in LinkConfig and only works for the *.ENV files.

In the Import and Export module check the column Latest data transfer to see if (new) data has imported.

Add a sensor field in the Meteorological module

With data in the DB and the sensor(s) assigned to this project, the dedicated Meteorological module can be configured. This module is found in the Project management group.

  1. Navigate to the Meteorological module.
  2. Click on Add Add to add a new sensor field.
  3. Open the Sensor field Configuration tab.
  4. Click on Edit Edit icon to add known sensors to this sensor field. It is possible to combine multiple Meteo sensors in a single sensor field.
  5. Using Delta Live!, configure the fields in the Browser configuration tab, such as the (approximate) WGS84 coordinates, to show this sensor field on maps. This does not have to be the same location as the actual weather sensor.
  6. Click Apply to save the edits.

First view of the data

With the sensor(s) added to the sensor field, a first check on the data can be done. The following numbered actions refer to the items in the below illustration.

  1. Open the tab Calculation.
  2. Select which sensor and what channel to view on the left-hand side of the screen.
  3. Click on the button time interval and make a selection. Suggest selecting Show all at this point.
  4. Alternatively, specify a Time start and Time end and click on Display.
  5. If data was imported for the selected channel, then it will show in the chart.

 

See no Data?

Edit the chart options to adjust the scaling by clicking on Chart Options in the toolbar. Or check the Troubleshooting section at the end of this article.

View data in Delta Live!

With the Meteorological module configured, it will be accessible from within Delta Live!. By default, it can be found in the section Environmental under Sensorfields. To also show this sensor field on a map in Delta Live!, as in below illustration, it needs to have, as a minimum, WGS84 Coordinates. These, and some other details, should be configured in the Browser Configuration tab of the sensor field in Delta Watch.

Further usage of Meteorological data

The Meteorological module is just one place where the data from the weather station can be used. A few of the other usages are:

  • Combine with geodetic data on standard charts
  • Use in User defined charts
  • Place on overview-map or -image
  • Include in automated reports
  • Alarm on the data

There is a separate article for all of the above items, look for: Using the THP sensor data.

Troubleshooting

Delta Watch: No data visible on chart in Meteorological module!

This could have different reasons. The below steps are in no particular order.

  • Is a sensor AND channels selected in the Chart section of the Calculation tab?
    • With basic weather stations as provided with a Delta Link, only 3 channels will have data: Temperature, Humidity and Pressure.
  • Is the correct Time start and Time End selected?
    • If not sure, click on Time interval in the toolbar, and select the option Show All.
  • Y-axis scaling not correct?
    • Under Chart options, check the Y-axis scaling for each unit
  • Has data been imported?
    • Check in the Import & Export module, locate the correct import task and check the column Latest data transfer.
      • If data was imported, then it might be a sensor configuration issue. Use this document to check all settings again.
      • No data seems to be imported
        • Click Refresh in the module, or simply close all modules and reopen the one of interest.
        • Inspect the import task and check for error signs and possibly ad-just the start date. Data that is older than the start date will not be imported.
        • Check if there were files to import on the right location and these files contain valid data.
        • Consult the Message Archive, see if any warnings are shown for file imports.

 

Delta Live!

  • THP sensor not found under Sensor fields
    • Does the Delta Live! user have the correct user-rights to be able to see that sensor?
    • Check the Browser Configuration section of the Sensor field in Delta Watch
      • Check if a different sensorfield sub-menu is used under Browser menu setting
      • Check if the user is enabled under Browser user visibility.
  • Sensors do not show on a map
    • Have WGS84 coordinates have been specified?
      • For individual sensors, this should be done in the Sensor Management section of the Point and Limit management module.
      • For the Sensorfield, as created in the Meteorological module, it should also be done in the Browser Configuration tab of the sensorfield.
    • Check the above item: THP sensor not found under Sensor fields