Defining and Configuring Sensors

All sensor data in DataWise® is stored by a numeric identifier which can range from 1 to 2,147,483,647.

The scheme in DataWise® is to associate a physical sensor with a numeric identifier.

Some telemetry protocols such as Legacy ALERT identify a sensor by a numeric identifier

Most other telemetry systems, such as GOES, do not identify physical sensors with numeric identifiers.

In either case, before data values for a physical sensor can be stored in the database, a numeric identifier must be associated with that sensor.

To define a new sensor or edit an existing one, select "Define Sensors" from the Configure drop-down menu. The dialog shown below will be displayed:

The "Define Sensors" dialog screen. The fields are defined below:

Define Sensors Field Definition

Field Name	Contents
Sensor ID	DataWise number
Sensor Name	Arbitrary name for the sensor
Sensor Abbrev	Arbitrary sensor abbreviation
Sensor Type	The type of physical parameter being measured (see Appendix D for a list of types)
Received as raw data	If checked, data is received in raw (non-engineering units) form. Otherwise data is received in engineering units
Divider	Used to convert data received in raw format to engineering units. Not used for data received in engineering units.
Adder	Used to convert data received in raw format to engineering units. Not used for data received in engineering units.
Cycle Size	Currently, used only if data is received in raw form. Maximum raw data value.
This is a status sensor	Checked if the bits in a sensor's reading represent the status of some device (e.g., lights on, etc).
This is an RWIS sensor	Checked when the numeric values of a sensor reading should be converted to a text value (e.g., ice, dry, wet) upon display.
Not a rain gage	Checked when not a rain gage.
Accumulating Rain	Checked when the sensor reports accumulated rainfall amounts (e.g., tipping bucket rain gage).
Period Rain	Checked when the sensor reports incremental rainfall amounts (e.g, 15-minute rainfall).
Station	The station number that this sensor is attached to (if unknown, enter 0 initially).
Number of Decimals	For displaying data, the number of digits to the right of the decimal point to display (0-10).
Max Jump	The maximum allowed change (in engineering units) between consecutive data values before the data is flagged as invalid.
Frequency	The expected reporting interval of the sensor.
Max Value	The maximum reading possible for the sensor. Readings above this value are considered invalid.
Min Value	The minimum reading possible for the sensor. Readings below this value are considered invalid.
Latitude	The north / south location of the sensor in decimal degrees. Used for GIS purposes.
Longitude	The east / west location of the sensor in decimal degrees. Used for GIS purposes.
Units	The engineering units that the sensor is reporting values in.
Units Abbreviated	The abbreviated engineering units that the sensor is reporting values in.
SHEF Id	The Standard Hydrometeorological Exchange Format (set to None if not used or unknown).
Elevation	Sensor elevation.