1. Introduction
The SDMS40 Multipoint Scanning Snowfall Sensor is a two dimensional (2D) multipoint-
scanning snow gage, which scans its laser in a circular path on the snow’s surface and measures
the distance from each point on the path. Once it completes a set of measurements, the SDMS40
takes an intelligent average of the depths to provide a representative average snow depth of the
target area. Communications options include SDI-12 and RS-232.
FIGURE 1-1. Laser area
(p. 1) demonstrates the oval pattern scanned by the sensor. Sophisticated filtering
algorithms are implemented to provide reliable measurements in various weather and surface
conditions.
The size of the target area varies depending on the height and tilt angle of the SDMS40.
SDMS40 Multipoint Scanning Snowfall Sensor
1
