Ultrasonic Anemometer

[CaptnBry]

Ultrasonic Anemometers for wind direction and speed seem to be the "best solution" since there are no moving parts, reasonable accuracy, and the price is plummeting.

This Thread is for COMMUNITY INPUT & PARTICIPATION to implement a modern ultrasonic anemometer in OpenPlotter
(no other 'Ultrasonic Anemometer' threads were found at this time of post, so perhaps this is a meeting of the minds forum)

For example, Alibaba lists several under $150USD, Search Alibaba below in quotes:
"Hy-wdc2e Mini Low Price Ultrasonic Anemometer"
It claims; RS232 output, (1 update per second is slower than Racers want (10Hz), yet fast enough for others, imho.)
Hacking into the circuitry of such a product is up for discussion too.

In this thread , the goal is to adapt such a purchased anemometer,
or build one with the several GitHub open-source projects as a starting source. (faster MPUs are available now)


And Interface it to the SignalK server

Spec Goals:
Wind speed sensitivity 0.5m/s
Wind speed range 0 through 30m/s
Wind direction to 1 degree
Data throughput as close to 10Hz as we can get

Design Approach for Discussion: 
1) Is the "Hy-wdc2e" the best candidate for our efforts? (possible 5-10Hz response if their in-house team agrees- thanks SailAlpha)
2) Is the ESP8266 best to translate and WiFi up-link to the SignalK server, The SigSens compiles on an Arduino IDE, so is preferred. (no, changed to ESP32 and BLE 19Feb2021)
3) SignalK compliance and compatibility assurance of Best Practices
4) Is BLE/solar Cell (remote installation without wiring feasible)
5) Can BLE and WiFi be configured and used simultaneously on a yacht?

Thoughts?

Current Issue(s) aka Project Update:
24FEB2021 Update:
Bluetooth BLE REQUIRES "Location Enabled" on the phone for use, completely negating the BLE low power advantages with an unnecessary and power hungry GPS.
Google says this is as "Intended" and not a bug. They have made BLE , pointless.
NO path to connect the Anemometer to SignalK has a resolvable robust method at this point.

The RS422 failed to be able to convert the Garmin 78sc; awaiting O-Scope repair for analysis
Set-up & Programming Environment; ESP32 (switched to use BLE instead of WiFI, Arduino IDE, SignalK on RPi 3 under OpenPlotter
The intent is to leave the Arduino IDE code for the ESP32 User Adaptable to allow fine-tuning for each application preference, and make the rest robust
Ultrasonic Anemometer pricing can be $139USD with RS232, TTL output
The manufacturer might be able to increase the output speed to 10KHz
Added Autopilot use, which needs 10KHz data stream and accuracy when tilted, and be heavy rain tolerant
Racers also need 10KHz update rate
BLE is being pursued for accessibility in the libraries and and to avoid WiFi/Router latencies
ESP32 BluetoothLE as a Broadcast Server
An Android phone APP is also being written as a Client to display data graphically to anyone on board

Many USB connections are intermittent on the ocean vessel: I expect to build an enclosure using NMEA 2000 connectors.
Alibaba NME-2K IP67 , Panel and Cabled, with tinned wires for a few USD each are proposed: link below
A 3D printed box to house the RPi, PSU, powered USB board/modded to NMEA 2K panel connectors
https://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?fsb...+connector