Sensor

Hyperspectral Radiometer for Global & Diffuse Irradiance (HSP1)

A novel sensor to accurately measure the spectrum of sunlight near the water’s surface

Developer: Peak Design Ltd
Contact: john@peakdesign.co.uk

Specifications

  • Resolution:
    • 3nm optical resolution over 350nm – 1050nm.
    • 0.01 W.m-2.s-1 spectral irradiance resolution.
    • ~1s measurement time
  • Dimensions: 400mm x 220m x 120mm. Weight ~5kg
  • Power requirement: 12-24V, 10W max
  • Method to transmit data: Network connection or GSM modem
  • Deployment method: Mounted on fixed mast, or on boat, buoy, or aircraft

Overview

The HSP1 measures the spectrum of downwelling solar radiation, and how this is partitioned between Direct, Diffuse and Global Irradiance. This sensor provides a reference for the colour or spectral distribution of sunlight near the water's surface.

HSP1 can be used to improve the accuracy of other sensors making direct measurements of the reflected light from the water body.

Apply HSP1 data

  • Measurements can be used to improve satellite water quality products by removing or correcting for atmospheric effects, especially in coastal or inland waters.
  • Improving data products from other surface-based instruments (such as other MONOCLE instruments) where a reference is normally too expensive
  • In situations where existing equipment is difficult or impossible to use such as moving platforms, boats, buoys or aircraft.

What does it measure?

The sensor uses a spectrometer to measure the incident downwelling solar irradiance in the 350nm – 1050nm range, of Global, Direct and Diffuse horizontal irradiance.
Derived quantities such as AOD, Water column depth.
Supporting measurements of time, position, orientation, temperature, pressure and humidity can also be made.

How does it work?

A combination of a horizontal array of detectors under a complex shading pattern enables a measurement of Global Direct and Diffuse irradiance with no moving parts or polar alignment requirements. This makes the instrument cheaper and easier to use than conventional instruments which rely on sun-tracking robots.

Image gallery

Deployment information

Mounted on fixed mast, or on boat, buoy, or aircraft

Standardised data access

We provide several interoperable data interfaces, as detailed below:

Type of data: Hyperspectral global and diffuse irradiance data
Format: WMS, WFS (calibrated and calculated products)

Geoserver
(Layers: search for ‘hsp’)
  • rsg:hsp_public_view_short (spectrally integrated data only)
  • rsg:hsp_public_view_full (full spectral dataset)
  • rsg:hsp_public_view_deployments (overview of system activity)
WMS GetCapabilities
WFS GetCapabilities
Sensor activity and data dashboard
 

Documentation and publications

Supporting materials

Video: So-Rad and HSP1 introduction and installation on MV Armorique
User guide: HSP1 Quickstart guide
Download the operational protocols for MONOCLE sensors and platforms
This document provides a set of protocols for the deployment of MONOCLE systems to ensure best practices to collect reliable data.
System user and developer handbook

This handbook provides an overview of the data requirements and interfaces that were adopted in the sensors and observation platforms of MONOCLE.

Sensor deployment activity

The data below shows recent sensor deployment activity. Access more detail and explore other sensor deployment activity on the MONOCLE dashboard .

Publications and articles

Jordan, T.M., Simis, S.G.H., Grötsch, P.M.M. and Wood, J.
Incorporating a Hyperspectral Direct-Diffuse Pyranometer in an Above-Water Reflectance Algorithm
Remote Sens. 2022, 14(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14102491

Autonomous marine hyperspectral radiometers for determining solar irradiances and aerosol optical properties (2017). John Wood et al. Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 1723–1737, 2017 doi: 10.5194/amt-10-1723-2017

Other sensors and platforms

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Water Insight SPectrometer Station (WISPstation)
Measure water reflectance and key water quality parameters fully autonomously, emission-free, without any chemicals, at a high frequency and get results available near-real-time

Solar tracking radiometry platform (So-Rad)
Control and automate underway radiometric measurements for satellite validation from ships and buoys

Mini-secchi disk
Measure water transparency, colour and pH with the mini-Secchi disk: a handheld device that is easily deployed from shore or boat.

iSPEX 2
Take quick and easy ocean colour measurements using this low-cost add-on for your smartphone.

FreshWater Watch (FWW)
A methodology for Citizen Scientists to use sensors to investigate the health of the world’s freshwater ecosystems.

KdUINO
Measure water transparency with a low-cost sensor that you can build! Advanced KdUINO sensors also detect optical and temperature stratification in the water column.