This sensor provides absolute pressure, required at all of ISFS's surface stations.  However, with the ability to resolve fractions of microbars, this sensor can also be used to measure turbulent or wave-driven pressure fluctuations or microbaroms.  Small-scale pressure gradients also can be measured, though likely will require offset adjustment since the absolute calibration is not as accurate as the resolution.  A limiting factor in gradient measurements often is the absolute height of the transducer.  For SCP, we attempted to do a manual survey to achieve 1cm vertical position accuracy, which was beyond the ability of GPS-based surveying.

We have been using these sensors with quad-disk pressure (QDP) ports, to reduce dynamic pressure effects.  All of our data have used modified All-Weather QDPs, though we plan to use QDPs in the process of being manufactured for NOAA by EOL/DFS.

The long-term goal of ISFS is to have a mini network of 20 such sensors.  As of this writing (Dec 2014), we have 4. 

Also as of Dec 2014, these sensors have been tested at NOAA/ETL using a dynamic pressure bellows and found to have attenuated response to fluctuations faster than about 0.2 Hz.  Our field data appear to show reasonable response to 1.0 Hz, so we hope to resolve this discrepancy soon.  Nevertheless, at this time we have not demonstrated good response to high-frequency turbulence.

There are several operating modes, including FIR and IIR internal processing.  See the Software Wiki for notes on how to configure these sensors for operation.  Data are available through both RS-232 and RS-485 serial ports, both on the same D-15 connector.  Power is +6 -> +16 VDC at 16mA max.

Paroscientific now recommends using -260 version with GPS timing synchronization (not needed using NIDAS), but also "specifically selected for infra-sound applications" that may be better for our use.