Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) International

The need for fast, accurate and reliable meteorological data at airports is well established, however, the available equipment does not always meet the need. The new AWOS 900 series from All Weather Inc. does.

The AWOS 900 is a state-of-the-art aviation weather measurement system designed to meet the stringent requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and Transport Canada. The system provides a truly integrated presentation for all meteorological data for any aviation center, from the smallest to the very largest.

Hear an AWOS Automated Weather Report
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AWOS Power and Quality

All Weather Inc. is the world leader in the manufacture of AWOS systems. Since the award of the contract to supply the United States Federal Aviation Administration with 200 AWOS systems, and the National Weather Service contract to supply 1000 ASOS systems, All Weather Inc. has installed more systems than any other manufacturer. Our total now stands at over 1500 systems.

The AWOS weather system meets the requirements and recommendations of the ICAO, the WMO, and the FAA. The AWOS 900 series meets all of the requirements and recommendations of the ICAO as well as the WMO and the FAA. The system can be provided to meet the requirements of any size of aviation center, from helipads to CAT I airports up to fully instrumented CAT IIIB international airports.

AWOS Flexibility

The sensor compliment of the AWOS 900 series may include any or all of the following:

Wind Speed
Wind Direction
Temperature
Dew Point
Relative Humidity
Barometric Pressure (QNH, QFE)
Visibility (MOR, RVR)
Present Weather (Precipitation Identification)
Cloud Height and Sky Condition
Density Altitude
Runway Surface Sensor
Lightning/Thunderstorm Detection

Other synoptic sensors, such as solar radiation may also be added to the system if required.

The AWOS 900 aviation weather system supports multiple sensor sites The AWOS 900 series supports multiple sensor sites as required for Category I-III B operations. This includes single or multiple position Runway Visual Range (RVR) systems which can be provided utilizing either forward scatter visibility sensors or transmissometers.

All Weather Inc.’s model 8364-E Dual Technology Visibility Sensor is patented design that uses two emitter heads and two detector heads set at an angle of 42°, which make the unit the most accurate and reliable method determining RVR available today. All Weather Inc.’s design is unique in that it automat-ically compensates for errors caused by window contamination, thereby improving accuracy and reliability. The 8364-based RVR system also has the advantage of lower maintenance and reduced purchase and installation costs.

All AWOS aviation weather sensors meet or exceed the requirements of the ICAO, WMO and the FAA Although the use of forward scatter visibility sensors is increasing dramatically, we also offer transmiss-ometer-based visibility and RVR systems. Available in either a single or double baseline, RVR values down to 50m can be accurately measured and reported.

All Weather Inc. can also provide stand-alone RVR systems if required.

All AWOS 900 series sensors are built to the same high quality you would expect from All Weather Inc. All sensors meet or exceed the requirements of the ICAO, WMO and the FAA for airport equipment.

AWOS Architecture

All Weather Inc.’s AWOS 900 series use the model 1190 data collection platform (DCP). This powerful microprocessor based computer systems collects and processes the data from the sensor arrays at the airport and passes it to the Central Data Processing computer via landline or radio. The 1190 is fitted with a battery backup in case of power failure, which will provide sufficient power for the DCP, wind sensors, BP sensor and temp/humidity sensor for up to 4 hours.

The 2090 Central Data Processor, (CDP), is a powerful Pentium based PC. The CDP receives the data from the various field sensor stations, processes and archives the data and then distributes it to the displays located almost anywhere on the airfield. The system can also be supplied with a dual processing system, with automatic switch over in the case of failure.

The system can archive data for up to 1 year at 1-minute intervals. The PC has an integral watch dog timer that will ensure automatic restart of the system in the event of a power failure. The series 900 CDP also has an optional uninterruptible power supply that will provide back up power in the event of power failure.

AWOS Data Display and Distribution

Besides the main meteorological office, multiple display terminals can be positioned in a variety of airport locations. Data output can be provided in various formats, including METAR, SPCEI and SYNOP codes.

The data is available in a graphic presentation as well as standard reports both on screen and on hard copy. The series 900 is fully compatible with the AFTN and other communication protocols, such as the FAS ADAS system.

The data from the AWOS may be voice synthesized to provide a data report that can be transmitted via VHF radio, NDB or VOR to ensure pilots on approach have the exact weather conditions at the airport. This voice data report is also available by telephone, so that current conditions at the airport can be obtained from anywhere prior to departure.

The voice synthesizer system is installed in the PC, together with a microphone that allows input of 2 voice remarks, each up to 90 seconds in duration. These NOTAM, notice to airmen, messages are automatically broadcast with the synthesized data from the AWOS. The series 900 also supports a system printer for report generation, error message reporting and printing of archived data.

AWOS Net

For more advanced communication capabilities, AWI's AWOS Net is the industry's first aviation weather web server to provide fully integrated, remote displays of FAA certified aviation weather data over a vast array of network environments, including the Internet. AWOS Net distributes data across an airport or around the world using high reliability wired IP networks, wireless systems, or PSTN dial-up connections. Unlike other display systems, all AWOS Net data elements are fully FAA certified, including wind speed and direction, visibility, temperature/dew point, humidity, cloud height, and pressure. View the AWOS Net data sheet for complete specs

AWOS Remote Maintenance Monitoring

All Weather Inc.’s AWOS systems have full Remote Maintenance Monitoring (RMM) capabilities. This allows maintenance personnel access to the AWOS from a remote site, such as regional or national headquarters via a telephone. It also enables All Weather Inc. to provide a remote diagnostic service to customers around the world. Access to the RMM capability is protected by password to prevent unauthorized access.

AWOS Installation and Maintenance

All Weather Inc.’s series 900 AWOS is simple and inexpensive to install. All Weather Inc. provides an easy to follow AWOS site preparation checklist to ensure an error free installation. The optional UHF data link means that expensive trenching and cable runs from the field station to the CDP are not required.

Due to the modular design of the series 900 and the built-in-test diagnostics, the system is very simple and inexpensive to maintain. The diagnostic software continually checks each sensor and each module of the system for accuracy and correct operation. Should a failure occur it is reported immediately. The diagnostic software will point the technician to the subassembly that has failed making the mean time to repair the lowest of any AWOS system.

All Weather Inc. has Aviation Systems installed in the following countries: