Optical Sensors for Remote Environmental Monitoring

Yes. OSI optical sensors and environmental monitoring solutions are engineered for year-round continuous operation across all climates, from Antarctica to tropical regions, with deployments across North America, Europe, Asia, and remote scientific sites. The MAWOS system has an operating temperature range of -50°C to 60°C (-58°F to 140°F). All systems use DSP-based electronics with no temperature-sensitive analog components, ensuring consistent performance in harsh conditions worldwide.

Depending on configuration, OSI optical weather sensors and environmental monitoring systems measure wind speed, wind direction, temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, dew point, visibility, precipitation type (rain, snow, drizzle, freezing precipitation, mixed), precipitation rate, and water equivalent accumulation. Modular designs allow additional optical sensors to be integrated as needed without a separate data acquisition system.

OSI optical sensor systems are designed for simplified field installation at remote sites. The MAWOS clamps directly to a 1.5-2 inch pipe using provided U-bolts - no cement pads required. The HazMet-100 requires no tools and can be fully set up and transmitting in under 5 minutes. No field calibration is needed for any OSI system due to factory-calibrated DSP electronics.

OSI optical sensors and automated measurement systems support multiple communication options suitable for remote environmental monitoring deployments, including RS-232, RS-485, Ethernet, spread spectrum radios, satellite, GSM/cellular modems, and Limited Distance Modems (LDM). Data is output as ASCII strings (polled or unpolled) and MODBUS RTU over serial RS-232, enabling easy integration with SCADA and monitoring platforms.

Yes. The MAWOS system complies with NWS and WMO weather code standards, and a non-FAA certified AWOS option is available for non-controlled airfields. OSI also produces FAA-certified AWOS-AV automated weather observing systems. All products are manufactured under ISO 9001:2015 quality management and hold CE certification, ensuring compliance with international meteorological and safety standards for aviation and environmental monitoring.

OSI optical sensors are designed for virtually zero maintenance. With no moving parts and advanced DSP electronics based on patented scintillation technology, there is no scheduled cleaning of optics required, and the systems are insensitive to dirt buildup. The MAWOS achieves an MTBF in excess of 80,000 hours. Built-in continuous self-test and self-diagnostics further reduce the need for on-site maintenance visits at remote monitoring locations.