MHC Class Meteorological and Wind Measurement System

The Mine Hunter, Coastal (MHC) Class Meteorological and Wind Measurement System will be installed on most USN Mine Hunters as funding is available. The MHC configuration consists of:


OVERVIEW

Designed and tested to full military standards and developed specifically for use in surface warships, naval support ships and other vessels. AGIMET employs the latest proven and in-service solid-state meteorological sensor technology to provide accurate measurement of wind speed and direction, temperature, pressure, humidity and other local environmental parameters.

The system, when combined with AGI’s extensive range of repeaters, also provides for distribution and display of Met data as well as other navigational information.


SYSTEMS CONFIGURATION

A typical ship system will comprise two solid state, ultrasonic wind sensors (mounted port and starboard or fore and aft) together with additional meteorological sensor options, each sending data via the Meteorological Interface Unit (MIU) to solid state displays and other systems. The system is capable of accepting a further two sensors for flight deck, or other operations.

Information is transmitted digitally thus greatly simplifying data handling and, in many cases alleviating the need for dedicated re-transmission. Wind outputs from the sensors are monitored by the MIU and data is continually and automatically selected from the windward sensor. By accepting inputs from the ships navigation system (i.e. log and gyro compass), both true and relative wind speed and direction maybe displayed and provided as an output. Using a dual redundant data bus architecture, the reliable distribution of data is achieved with minimal cabling.

To meet individual ship system requirements, various solid state sensors are available. These range from ultrasonic anemometers, to ambient air humidity, temperature and barometric pressure, sea water temperature and salinity sensor types.


Meteorological Interface Unit (MIU)


View the Typical AGIMET System diagram


METEOROLOGICAL INTERFACE UNIT (MIU)

Features

  • Ships Data Distribution
  • Port / Stbd wind sensor auto-changeover
  • True relative wind data
  • Air pressure, temperature and humidity outputs
  • Data Correction
  • Built in test

System Inputs

  • Ships Speed: RS422/NMEA Serial Data Format
  • Heading: RS422/NMEA Serial Data Format
  • Other inputs, eg Synchro and pulses are also optionally available
 

System Outputs

‘True’ and ‘Relative’ wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, humidity, dew point, ambient temperature, ship speed, heading, and customised outputs are provided via RS422/NMEA Serial Data Format. (Dual Redundant Data Bus) Synchro, Ethernet or Analogue voltage

Fault Reporting

Full diagnostic test capability using stand alone PC and Graphics User Interface software.

Weight: 22k

Dimensions: 600mm x 310mm x 110mm


 

ULTRASONIC ANEMONETERS

The precise measurement of wind speed and direction is an essential element in weapon and decoy systems control, helicopter and fixed wing aircraft handling, navigation, fuel management, etc.

Traditionally, wind measurement has been achieved using electro-mechanical anemometers - a cumbersome technique subject to inaccuracies, icing, component wear and unreliability, requiring frequent servicing, maintenance and calibration. AGI's fully solid state wind measurement system overcomes these disadvantages.

 

Sensor

  • Dimensions: 446mm high x 212mm max
  • Weight: 3kg
  • Anti-icing: Employs sensor head heaters

Wind Speed

  • Range: 0-126Kts
  • Accuracy: 2%rms 0-50Kts, 4%rms 50-80Kts
  • Offset: 0.01m/s

Direction

  • Range: 0-360o
  • Typical Accuracy at 20m/s: 0.5o average
  • Specified Accuracy: 0-80Kts/s+/- 20 rms
  • Resolution: 10

AIR TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY SENSOR

  • Temperature Range: -40 to +60o C
  • Relative Humidity Range: 0-100% RH
  • Accuracy: +/- 0.3oC, +/- 3% RH
  • Resolution: 0.1oC, 1% RH
  • Weight: 7kg
  • Dimensions: 285mm high x 180mm diameter

AIR PRESSURE SENSOR

  • Range: 750 to 1150mBar absolute atmospheric pressure
  • Operating temperature: -20 to +60oC
  • Storage temperature: -40 to +80oC
  • Accuracy: 0.01% full scale
  • Temperature Stability: 0.02% full scale
  • Weight: 0.7kg
  • Dimensions: 125mm x 80mm x 60mm

GRAPHIC USER INTERFACE (GUI)

  • System Configuration
  • Data Correction entry
  • System Interrogation
  • Calibration
  • Sensor filtering
  • Immarsat / Satellite Coms
  • Ships Synop Messages

METEOROLOGICAL REPEATERS

AGIMET displays have been developed directly from AGI’s well established range of naval solid state repeaters. These colour or mono instruments incorporate high reliability and employ Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or Light Emitting Diode (LED) types, which with fully dimmable back lighting ensure maximum readability in a variety of ambient conditions, from direct sunlight (mono LCD) to the subdued environment of the Operations Room.

A full range of repeaters are available for displaying Meteorological data and Navigation data, see our Repeaters / Displays section, for full details.


SYSTEMS ENGINEERING & THROUGH LIFE SUPPORT

AGI offers total systems design and engineering support. This includes installation, commissioning, operators and maintainers training, documentation, etc., providing complete spares, support, overhaul and repair services.
AGI is accredited to international Quality Standard BS EN ISO 9001 and Tick-IT software procedures.

 

QUALITY ASSURANCE

AGI is backed by over 40 years of experience in the design, development, manufacture and installation of ships systems for the British Royal Navy and some 40 other navies worldwide.

AGIMET is typical of design and development projects undertaken by AGI for private, public, and military sectors of industry.



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