Innovative Instruments

What this category covers

Innovative Instruments is a category for specialised measurement and detection equipment that does not fit standard environmental sensor lines. It currently contains two subcategories: Temperature Calibrator and Acoustic Drone Detection. These products serve different buyers and different applications, but both are precision instruments that require accurate specification matching before purchase.

The Temperature Calibrator subcategory contains the ZTC100 RTD Temperature Calibrator, an instrument used to verify and calibrate PT100 platinum resistance thermometers. The Acoustic Drone Detection subcategory contains the ZD-EAR, a microphone-array sensor used to detect and locate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by their acoustic signature.

How RTD temperature calibration works

A temperature calibrator generates or measures a known temperature reference so that a separate temperature sensor can be checked against it. The ZTC100 works on the PT100 measurement principle, using a platinum resistance element whose electrical resistance changes predictably with temperature. This resistance-to-temperature relationship is the basis for RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector) calibration.

The calibrator communicates over RS485 or RS232, which allows it to be integrated into automated calibration benches or read out via standard industrial interfaces. It runs from AC 220V or DC 12/24V at under 2W, so it can be deployed on mains power or low-voltage DC systems in the field or in a lab.

How acoustic drone detection works

Acoustic drone detection identifies UAVs by picking up the sound they generate, rather than by radar or radio-frequency scanning. The ZD-EAR uses a microphone array of up to 208 channels to capture sound across a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz frequency range and a sound pressure level range of 28 to 132 dB. By comparing the arrival time and intensity of sound across the array, the system calculates a direction of arrival, which is used to localise the source.

The ZD-EAR also carries an integrated 13 MP camera with a 95° (H) x 76° (V) field of view and up to 6x digital zoom, so an operator can visually confirm an acoustic detection. Data connectivity is handled over Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) and Bluetooth 5.2.

Key specifications to compare

For a temperature calibrator, the specifications that matter most are measurement range, resolution, accuracy, and communication interface. These determine whether the instrument can calibrate the sensors used on your process and whether it will integrate with existing calibration or SCADA systems. Because published figures for the ZTC100 differ slightly between the manufacturer's product page and subcategory page, buyers should confirm the exact range, resolution, and accuracy figures for their intended use case at the quotation stage.

For an acoustic drone detection sensor, the specifications that matter most are detection distance, response time, microphone channel count, and dynamic range. The ZD-EAR is rated for a detection distance of 0.1 to 500 m with a 0.1 second response time, figures that determine how quickly and from how far the system can flag an incoming UAV.

Typical applications and industries

The ZTC100 is used by metrology institutions, meteorological services, railway operators, and scientific research organisations that need to verify PT100 thermometers against a stable reference. The manufacturer states the unit does not require recalibration for 10 years, which is relevant for organisations planning long-term calibration schedules.

The ZD-EAR is used in military applications, airport no-fly zone monitoring, border defence, and other government no-fly zone enforcement, as well as general defence systems that require passive acoustic detection of UAVs.

How to choose between models in this category

Because the two subcategories serve unrelated purposes, the first choice is which subcategory matches your requirement: temperature calibration or drone detection. Within Temperature Calibrator, the ZTC100 is currently the only model listed, so selection comes down to confirming its measurement range, resolution, and accuracy meet your calibration standard. Within Acoustic Drone Detection, the ZD-EAR is currently the only model listed, so selection comes down to confirming detection distance, response time, and environmental operating range (-20°C to 50°C, 10-80% humidity, non-condensing) suit your deployment site.

Buying through MetSensor UK

MetSensor UK is the official UK reseller of Zata IoT instruments, not the manufacturer. We supply the ZTC100 and ZD-EAR to UK buyers on a quote basis, with UK-based support for enquiries, specification queries, and after-sales questions. Pricing, lead time, and any project-specific configuration are confirmed once we understand your application, so contact MetSensor UK with your requirements to receive a formal quote.