JCI-1600 Road Condition Sensor

Monitoring parameters: Icing, ice thickness, water film thickness, dry conditions, wet/standing water, snow, pavement temperature, subgrade temperature, pavement temperature and humidity, high-temperature alerts, freezing point (optional), salt concentration (optional)

Flush-mounted installation, compact design.

Product Features

Utilizes microwave disturbance detection technology

Provides icing warnings and alarms

Multi-parameter fusion algorithms enhance detection accuracy

Road surface conditions: dry, standing water, ice, snow, ice thickness, high-temperature alarm

Improves road safety

Compact sensor design facilitates installation with versatile mounting options

Unique structural design withstands extreme pressure and is highly durable

The optimal choice for various de-icing systems

Product Overview

The JCI-1600 Road Condition Online Monitoring Sensor utilizes unique microwave detection technology and multi-parameter fusion algorithms. By detecting output values corresponding to different material states on the sensor’s monitoring surface—such as ice, ice thickness, standing water, and temperature—and integrating temperature detection and temperature compensation technologies, it monitors ice formation and ice thickness.

The sensor can simultaneously output icing warnings and alarm thresholds, and can also be paired with temperature and humidity sensors for comprehensive road surface environmental monitoring.

The JCI-1600 Online Icing Monitoring Sensor consists of an electronic unit based on MCU processing technology and a probe. A PT1000 platinum resistance thermometer is mounted on the probe to provide temperature input to the sensor.

Temperature compensation is achieved by collecting temperature data via the PT1000 sensor; the temperature signal corrects the calibration curve within the MCU, thereby improving the accuracy of ice detection.

Application Areas

Road condition online monitoring sensors feature a simple structure, easy installation, and strong anti-interference capabilities. They can be used for road icing monitoring on highways, at airports, on bridges, and on urban roadways, serving as a key solution for IoT applications in intelligent transportation and smart cities.

Highways, Airports, Bridges

Urban Interchanges

Scenic Area Roads

Mountain Roads

New Road De-icing Systems

Technical Specifications

Detection Parameters: Ice formation, ice thickness, water film thickness, dry, wet/standing water, road surface temperature and humidity, road surface temperature, roadbed temperature, high-temperature warning, freezing point (optional), salt concentration (optional)

Ice Detection Range: 0.2 mm to 10 mm

Minimum Ice Thickness: 0.2 mm

Maximum Ice Thickness: 10 mm

Ice Alarm Thickness Threshold: 0.2 mm to 10 mm (adjustable)

Measurement Accuracy: ±2% FS

Water Film Height: 0 mm to 4 mm (optional)

Measurement Accuracy: ±0.5 mm

Temperature and Humidity

Measurement Range: -40–120°C, 0–100% RH,

Temperature Measurement Resolution: 0.01°C

Accuracy: ≤±0.3°C (@25°C, typical)

≤±3% RH (@25°C, 20%–80% RH, typical)

Humidity Measurement Resolution: 0.05% RH

Freezing Point: 0–-20°C

Accuracy: ±1°C

Communication Protocol: Modbus RTU

Operating Temperature: -40°C to 85°C

Storage Temperature: -55°C to 85°C

Operating Voltage: 3.3 VDC or 5–30 VDC

Operating Humidity: 0–100% RH

Dimensions: Φ100 × 70 mm

Protection Rating: IP68

Basic style

Optional Configuration

Dimensional Diagram

Installation Method:

Sensor Installation Flowchart

System Commissioning and Installation Procedures

Note: If there is a risk of lightning strikes outdoors, it is recommended to install an RS485 lightning protection module.

The steps for installing and burying on-site monitoring equipment are as follows:

① Determine the sensor installation location; sensors should be installed on the emergency lane outside the white road markings;

② Drill sensor installation holes;

④ Lay out conduit and cables;

⑤ Install sensors at each measurement point;

⑥ Inspect all connections to ensure they are secure;

⑦ Commission each sensor to ensure proper operation;

(2) Installation Technical Requirements

Before burying the sensors, adjust the level of dust or gravel in the hole to ensure the sensor’s monitoring surface is as flush as possible with the road surface. Then secure the sensor using curing adhesive or expanding cement.

The sensors are compact and easy to install. During installation, cover the sensor surface with a protective film to prevent adhesive from adhering to it and affecting detection accuracy; remove the film after installation is complete.

Sensors should be inspected periodically to prevent soil accumulation on the monitoring surface; if soil is found, it can be rinsed off with water.

(3) Aesthetic and Protective Requirements

All system sensors must be fitted with uniform protective covers and painted to provide protection and enhance aesthetics; all cables must be routed through PVC conduits, with the conduit layout secured and neat.

Ice Sensor Communication Protocol

Transmission Method: Modbus RTU (RS485)

Communication Parameters:

Baud Rate: 9600

Data Bits: 8

Stop Bits: 1

Parity: None

Error Detection: CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check)

Master/Slave Configuration: The sensor acts as a slave device

Communication Protocol Function Codes:

Device Address: Address Range 1 (default) to 247

Register definition:

Data Endianness: CCDDAABB

Example 1: Reading Temperature

Send 01 03 00 55 00 02 D4 1B (red: address code; orange: function code; blue: register address; green: number of registers; purple: CRC check)

Return: 01 03 04 00 00 41 B8 XX XX (04 indicates the number of data bytes returned; 000041B8 represents the temperature data. The last two bytes must be placed at the beginning, i.e., 41B80000. You can use the online hex-to-float converter tool at http://www.speedfly.cn/tools/hexconvert/得到温度为23)

Example 2: Reading surface conditions and temperature alarms

Send 01 03 00 5B 00 02 14 18

Response: 01 03 04 00 01 00 00 XX XX (The underlined 0001 indicates surface condition; 0000 means dry, 0001 means water accumulation, and 0002 means ice formation. The non-underlined 0000 is the temperature alarm flag; 0000 indicates no alarm, and 0001 indicates temperature exceeding the upper limit)

Example 3: Changing the Device Address

Send 01 06 00 3A00 02 28 06 (Device address changed to 02)

Example 4: Water Accumulation Thickness (mm)

Send 01 03 00 5D 00 02 XX XX (Data interpretation is the same as for temperature)

Example 5: Ice Thickness (mm)

Send 01 03 00 5F 00 02 XX XX (Data interpretation is the same as for temperature)

Example 6: Freezing Point (°C)

Send 01 03 00 61 00 02 XX XX (Data interpretation is the same as for temperature)

Example 6: Salt Concentration

Send 01 03 00 63 00 02 XX XX (Data interpretation is the same as for temperature)