A Laboratory Evaluation of Unidata's Starflow Doppler Flowmeter and MGD Technologies' Acoustic Doppler Flow Meter

The Starflow Doppler flowmeter and the acoustic Doppler flow meter (ADFM) are unique devices which measure water velocity, depth, and temperature. Both systems have data loggers integrated into their electronics. These flowmeters are part of a new generation of ultrasonic flow measurement systems. Both systems use digital signal processing techniques, and they are able to perform in a wide range of environments. They can be used to compute and record flows in pipes, channels and small streams and operate in a wide range of water qualities from fresh water to wastewater. This paper includes the operating principles of both instruments, and the results of a side-by-side comparison performed in the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Water Resources Research Laboratory.