@article{fdi:010094806,
  title = {{A} float-controlled self-contained laser gauge for monitoring river levels in tropical environments},
  author = {{P}ierret, {A}lain and {S}ilvera, {N}orbert and {L}atsachack, {K}. {O}. and {C}hanthavong, {K}. and {S}ounyafong, {P}. and {R}ibolzi, {O}livier},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{I}n this paper we present the design, construction and performance of a self-contained float-controlled water level gauge for monitoring water levels in streams and small rivers. {T}his device is inexpensive (cost of about {EUR} 220), easy to build (no electronics skills or specialized tools required; assembled in a few hours) and straightforward to use. {T}he gauge remains autonomously operational for several weeks in remote locations without the need for an external power supply or solar panel and in the harsh tropical climatic conditions. {D}ata can be downloaded wirelessly in the field using an {A}ndroid smartphone or tablet. {T}his gauge is capable of a measurement precision of +/- 1 mm at temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees {C} and accurate to within 2 mm of manual readings in a controlled laboratory environment. {I}n the field, the mean absolute error ({MAE}) of measurements taken with the water level gauge compared to that obtained with the {OTT}-{SE}200-a commercial float-controlled angle encoder water level gauge-over a full tropical rainy season and for a measurement range of 0.5 m, was 2.6 mm (n = 8,017).},
  keywords = {{H}ydrometry ; {M}icro-controller ; {D}ata logging ; {T}ime-of-{F}light ; {A}d hoc technology ; {T}ropical environments},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{H}ardwarex},
  volume = {23},
  numero = {},
  pages = {e00682 [28 p.]},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00682},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010094806},
}