Design and development of infrared technique based snow surface temperature measurement probe

Abstract

This paper presents design and development of IR probe, developed first time in India, which is used to measure snow surface temperature without contact with snow. The design can operate round the clock in harsh weather conditions in snow bound areas (–40 °C to +50 °C) with high relative humidity and wind speed (200 km/h). This instrument has been installed in Siachen region, J & K region and interfaced with Data Collection Platform. The recorded temperature data is being transmitted hourly through satellite from Siachen and J & K region to central base station at SASE, Chandigarh. This instrument can measure temperature (– 40 °C to +100 °C) with the resolution of 0.1 °C and consumes low power. This paper mainly describes the characteristics of IR rays, basic principle involved in designing and principle of operation.