NASA relies on Revolution Pi for distributed sensor network

Success Story Precise Wind Data for the Future of Autonomous Aviation

Challenge

The NASA researchers needed precise wind data from across the entire test area to validate their computational wind models and to test drone navigation systems. Initial prototypes designed by students using off-the-shelf Raspberry Pi hardware failed rapidly in the field. High humidity conditions and the thin plating on the micro-SD card connector caused frequent breakdowns. A more robust solution was needed – one built for continuous outdoor operation with minimal internal connection points.

Founded in 1917, NASA's Langley Research Center in Virginia is the oldest national aeronautics laboratory in the United States. It conducts leading research in the fields of aviation, space exploration, and atmospheric sciences. Langley plays a key role in developing technologies that improve flight safety and enable autonomous flight operations.

Two industrial weather stations with sensors mounted outdoors under clear sky. — Two weather measurement stations: On the left is a radiation shield station with a flat disk and red mounting hardware. On the right stands a sensor array with multiple stacked elements for wind and humidity measurements.

Solution

The project team implemented the RevPi Connect as their industrial-grade alternative. Unlike consumer hardware, Revolution Pi is built to withstand typical field conditions. The solid construction with fewer internal connectors reduces potential failure points. Since the RevPi Connect runs with the standard image, the existing Python software from the Raspberry Pi prototypes worked without modification – making the transition seamless.

RevPi Connect in weather station housing — The interior of a weather station housing with RevPi Connect installed.

Implementation

30 weather stations operate across the test site, each equipped with sensors and a Revolution Pi device. The sensors for wind, temperature, and humidity transmit their measurements via RS-485 as soon as new data are available. The server accesses the ASCII data from the RevPi devices directly over TCP. The server-side Python implementation has been running reliably since its first version and remains unchanged in operation.

Some stations also measure cloud height using a ceilometer connected via the same RS-485 interface. In addition to weather data collection, the team uses the RevPi modules for various control tasks in the field, such as controlling radio beacons.

Technologies Used

RevPi Connect with standard image
Distributed sensor network with about 30 wind sensors
RS-485 communication for all sensors
TCP/IP connection for server communication
Python-based server software
Central server infrastructure for data aggregation

Results & Outlook

With Revolution Pi, NASA operates a reliable and scalable network of weather stations. The system provides high-resolution wind data that researchers use to test and validate their navigation systems and wind models, while proving highly reliable in the field.

The collected data help advance the safe integration of autonomous aircraft into the airspace. Due to its proven reliability and suitability for demanding environments, the use of Revolution Pi devices continues for other automation tasks.