1 Scope
This document provides requirements for the evaluation and use of test method for
snow depth sensors. This document is applicable to the following types of automatic
snow depth sensors which employ different ranging technologies by which the sensors
measure the distance from the snow surface to the sensor:
a) Ultrasonic type, also known as sonic ranging depth sensors;
b) Optical laser snow depth sensors including single point and multipoint snow depth
sensors;
c) Other snow depth sensors.
This document mainly covers two major tests: a laboratory(indoor) test and a field
(outdoor) test. The laboratory test includes the basic performance test and other
tests under various environmental changes. The field test is proposed to ensure the
performance of the snow depth sensors in field measurement conditions. For the field
test, both the natural ground and artificial target surface such as snow plates are
considered for the procedures defined in this document.