Exciting Changes to the MFRSR System

Poster PDF

Description

After years of discussion and suggestions to swap the unfiltered silicon (broadband) detector with a 1625 nm InGaAs sensor, we received approval to move forward with this project. There was a lengthy delay obtaining the 1625 nm filterdetectors, but once in hand progress has been steady. Currently we have worked through the upgrade process and a test unit is in place at SGP EF-38. At the time of this writing we have raw data coming in, and are currently working through updates to the ingest software to account for the new sensor. Once the ingest update is finished and we are satisfied with the performance of test instrument, we will begin the upgrade process for all sensors. Along with all the MFRSRs, the 1625 nm filterdetectors will also be incorporated into all MFRs and NIMFRs. The motivation behind this work has been documented in prior posters and presentations, but in summary having the 1625 nm channel will allow for improved retrievals of aerosol and cloud properties, help constrain the size distribution of coarse mode aerosol particles allowing for more accurate retrievals of aerosol optical properties, and improved cloud optical depth and mean effective cloud particle size retrievals are expected. The linear heater board has long been recognized as the weakest component of the MFRSR system. What we thought would be relatively straightforward process to improve this component has been considerably more complicated. While it has taken some time to arrive at a prototype solution, the field testing phase has begun. As is often the case though, moving a lab tested device to the field can allow glitches present themselves. In 2018 there will be configuration change to the MFRSRs located at the SGP Central Facility. There are currently two MFRSRs in operation at the CF. We will be upgrading the unit with the C1 suite to a Campbell system. (This is the final operational original MFRSR sensor in ARM). We will also be adding a third MFRSR to the BRS instrument suite. This third instrument is a new model from Yankee Environmental Systems, Inc., and some features will be valuable for comparison and testing so we can continue improve all ARM MFRSRs into the future. Detailed descriptions of where these projects stand are presented in the poster.