Here are the most regular questions concerning the WINDCUBEv2 technology and applications.


1.    WHAT IS THE MINIMUM RANGE OF THE WINDCUBEv2?
The minimum range depends on the pulse length. For a distance below 40 meters, the light pulse has not totally been released out of the emitter; the light received by the optics is much more intense than the light returned by the aerosols. Under 40 m the WINDCUBEv2 is considered as “blind”.


2. HOW MANY MEASURING HEIGHTS MAY I CHOOSE?
The WINDCUBEv2 provides 12 measuring heights between 40 and 200m every second. The user is able to fix the measurement heights via the WINDCUBE software.


3.    IS THE SYSTEM AUTONOMOUS?
Regarding autonomy, LEOSPHERE proposes a 90W power supply solution, based on methanol fuel cell which can be combined with photovoltaic solar panels. 

4.    WHAT ARE THE OUTPUT DATA AND TEXT FILES?
Basically for a given height, the following data are stored every day in the flash memories.
- Horizontal wind speed (m/s), real time (1s) and 10 minute average data
- Horizontal wind speed standard deviation (m/s)
- Maximum wind speed over the past 10 minutes
- Minimum wind speed over the past 10 minutes
- Wind direction

- Vertical wind speed, 10-minute average
- Vertical wind speed standard deviation over the past 10 minutes
- Data recovery at all heights (%)


5.    IS THE WINDCUBEv2 CAPABLE TO GATHER INFORMATION UNDER RAIN?
The WINDCUBEv2 measures wind parameters during rain. The system is enclosed in a waterproof and dustproof housing, which protects it from all weather conditions. It is also equipped with a window de-icing system and an automatic wiper system which allows the system to operate in cold, rainy and snowy conditions.


6.    WHAT ABOUT DATA TRANSFER?
The WINDSOFT, included in the WINDCUBEv2, entails manual data transfer. This transfer can be performed through local network (Ethernet, TCP/IP) or USB device.

The WINDCUBE Anywhere module includes either a 3G/GPRS/GSM modem or a Satellite communication device for remote data transfer.

- Automatic remote data transfer (3G/GPRS/GSM)
- Sendmail: The user can set data sending according to its requirements (frequency, date type)
- System remote control and alert

7.    WHAT HAPPENS IF THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW -30°C, WILL THE LIDAR STOP MEASURING OR WILL IT BE DAMAGED?
The system is now operating down to -30°C as a standard. Below -30°C, the system will not stop measuring or break. However the Lidar signal quality is not good enough (because of components malfunction in low temperature) and the retrieved wind measurements are not reliable anymore. In this condition wind data are recorded but flagged as not reliable.