IRGASON Integrated CO2 and H2O Open-Path Gas Analyzer and 3-D Sonic Anemometer
Patented Design
Gas analyzer and sonic anemometer in one sensor
weather applications water applications energy applications gas flux and turbulence applications infrastructure applications soil applications

Overview

Campbell Scientific’s IRGASON® fully integrates the open-path analyzer and sonic anemometer. Designed specifically for eddy-covariance carbon and water flux measurements, the patented design is easier to install and use than separate sensors and provides increased measurement accuracy. The IRGASON simultaneously measures absolute carbon dioxide and water vapor, air temperature, barometric pressure, three-dimensional wind speed, and sonic air temperature. U.S. patent D680455

For more information about the benefits of having a colocated measurement, refer to the poster "Improved eddy flux measurements by open-path gas analyzer and sonic anemometer co-location."

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Benefits and Features

  • New conformal coating helps protect sonic transducers in corrosive environments
  • Combined support structure causes less flow distortion than two separate sensors
  • Truly colocated gas analyzer and sonic anemometer measurements avoid flux loss due to sensor separation
  • Synchronized gas analyzer and sonic anemometer measurements avoid the need to correct for time lag
  • Low power consumption; suitable for solar power applications
  • Measurements are temperature compensated without active heat control
  • Low noise
  • Maximum output rate of 60 Hz with 20 Hz bandwidth
  • Angled windows shed water and are tolerant to window contamination
  • Field rugged
  • Field serviceable
  • Factory calibrated over wide range of CO2, H2O, pressure, and temperature in all combinations encountered in practice
  • Extensive set of diagnostic parameters
  • Fully compatible with Campbell Scientific dataloggers; field setup, configuration, and field zero and span can be accomplished directly from the datalogger
  • Sonic temperature determined from three acoustic paths; corrected for crosswind effects
  • Innovative signal processing and transducer wicks considerably improve performance of the anemometer during precipitation events

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Detailed Description

The IRGASON has the following outputs:

  • Ux (m/s)
  • Uy (m/s)
  • Uz (m/s)
  • Sonic Temperature (°C)
  • Sonic Diagnostic
  • CO2 Density (mg/m3)
  • H2O Density (g/m3)
  • Gas Analyzer Diagnostic
  • Ambient Temperature (°C)
  • Atmospheric Pressure (kPa)
  • CO2 Signal Strength
  • H2O Signal Strength
  • Source Temperature (°C)

Specifications

Patent U.S. Patent No. D680455
Operating Temperature Range -30° to +50°C
Calibrated Pressure Range 70 to 106 kPa
Input Voltage Range 10 to 16 Vdc
Power 5 W (steady state and power up) at 25°C
Measurement Rate 60 Hz
Output Bandwidth 5, 10, 12.5, or 20 Hz (user-programmable)
Output Options SDM, RS-485, USB, analog (CO2 and H2O only)
Auxiliary Inputs Air temperature and pressure
Warranty 3 years or 17,500 hours of operation (whichever comes first)
Cable Length 3 m (10 ft) from IRGASON® to EC100
Weight
  • 3.2 kg (7.1 lb) for EC100 electronics
  • 2.8 kg (6.1 lb) for IRGASON® head and cables

Gas Analyzer
Path Length 15.37 cm (6.05 in.)
A temperature of 20°C and pressure of 101.325 kPa was used to convert mass density to concentration.

Gas Analyzer - CO2 Performance
-NOTE- A temperature of 20°C and pressure of 101.325 kPa was used to convert mass density to concentration.
Accuracy
  • Assumes the following: the gas analyzer was properly zero and spanned using the appropriate standards; CO2 span concentration was 400 ppm; H2O span dewpoint was at 12°C (16.7 ppt); zero/span temperature was 25°C; zero/span pressure was 84 kPa; subsequent measurements made at or near the span concentration; temperature is not more than ±6°C from the zero/span temperature; and ambient temperature is within the gas analyzer operating temperature range.
  • 1% (standard deviation of calibration residuals)
Precision RMS (maximum) 0.2 mg/m3 (0.15 μmol/mol)

Nominal conditions for precision verification test: 25°C, 86 kPa, 400 μmol/mol CO2, 12°C dewpoint, and 20 Hz bandwidth.
Calibrated Range 0 to 1,000 μmol/mol (0 to 3,000 μmol/mol available upon request.)
Zero Drift with Temperature (maximum) ±0.55 mg/m3/°C (±0.3 μmol/mol/°C)
Gain Drift with Temperature (maximum) ±0.1% of reading/°C
Cross Sensitivity (maximum) ±1.1 x 10-4 mol CO2/mol H2O

Gas Analyzer - H2O Performance
-NOTE- A temperature of 20°C and pressure of 101.325 kPa was used to convert mass density to concentration.
Accuracy
  • Assumes the following: the gas analyzer was properly zero and spanned using the appropriate standards; CO2 span concentration was 400 ppm; H2O span dewpoint was at 12°C (16.7 ppt); zero/span temperature was 25°C; zero/span pressure was 84 kPa; subsequent measurements made at or near the span concentration; temperature is not more than ±6°C from the zero/span temperature; and ambient temperature is within the gas analyzer operating temperature range.
  • 2% (standard deviation of calibration residuals)
Precision RMS (maximum) 0.004 g/m3 (0.006 mmol/mol)

Nominal conditions for precision verification test: 25°C, 86 kPa, 400 μmol/mol CO2, 12°C dewpoint, and 20 Hz bandwidth.
Calibrated Range 0 to 72 mmol/mol (38°C dewpoint)
Zero Drift with Temperature (maximum) ±0.037 g/m3/°C (±0.05 mmol/mol/°C)
Gain Drift with Temperature (maximum) ±0.3% of reading/°C
Cross Sensitivity (maximum) ±0.1 mol H2O/mol CO2

Sonic Anemometer - Accuracy
-NOTE- The accuracy specification for the sonic anemometer is for wind speeds < 30 m s-1 and wind angles between ±170°.
Offset Error
  • < ±8.0 cm s-1 (for ux, uy)
  • < ±4.0 cm s-1 (for uz)
  • ±0.7° while horizontal wind at 1 m s-1 (for wind direction)
Gain Error
  • < ±2% of reading (for wind vector within ±5° of horizontal)
  • < ±3% of reading (for wind vector within ±10° of horizontal)
  • < ±6% of reading (for wind vector within ±20° of horizontal)
Measurement Precision RMS
  • 1 mm s-1 (for ux, uy)
  • 0.5 mm s-1 (for uz)
  • 0.025°C (for sonic temperature)
  • 0.6° (for wind direction)
Speed of Sound Determined from 3 acoustic paths (corrected for crosswind effects)
Rain Innovative signal processing and transducer wicks considerably improve performance of the anemometer during precipitation events.

Basic Barometer (option -BB)
Total Accuracy
  • ±3.7 kPa at -30°C, falling linearly to ±1.5 kPa at 0°C (-30° to 0°C)
  • ±1.5 kPa (0° to 50°C)
Measurement Rate 10 Hz

Enhanced Barometer (option -EB)
Manufacturer Vaisala PTB110
Total Accuracy ±0.15 kPa (-30° to +50°C)
Measurement Rate 1 Hz

Ambient Temperature
Manufacturer BetaTherm 100K6A1IA
Total Accuracy ±0.15°C (-30° to +50°C)

Compatibility

Note: The following shows notable compatibility information. It is not a comprehensive list of all compatible or incompatible products.

Data Loggers

Product Compatible Note
CR1000 (retired)
CR1000X
CR300
CR3000 (retired)
CR350
CR6
CR800 (retired)
CR850 (retired)

Downloads

EasyFlux DL for CR6OP v.2.01 (98.2 KB) 07-21-2022

CR6 datalogger program for Campbell open-path eddy-covariance systems.

View Update History

EC100 OS v.8.02 (560 KB) 10-14-2019

EC100 Operating System.

Watch the Video Tutorial: Updating the EC100 Operating System.

View Update History

ECMon v.1.6 (10.7 MB) 03-29-2016

EC100-Series Support Software.

Device Configuration Utility v.2.30 (46.9 MB) 10-02-2024

A software utility used to download operating systems and set up Campbell Scientific hardware. Also will update PakBus Graph and the Network Planner if they have been installed previously by another Campbell Scientific software package.

Supported Operating Systems:

Windows 11 or 10 (Both 32 and 64 bit)

View Update History

EasyFlux DL for CR1000XOP v.2.01 (98.2 KB) 07-21-2022

CR1000X datalogger program for Campbell open-path eddy-covariance systems.

View Update History

Frequently Asked Questions

Number of FAQs related to IRGASON: 22

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  1. Can a fine-wire thermocouple be used with the IRGASON® or EC150?

    Yes. A fine-wire thermocouple, such as a FW05, can be used.

  2. What is the demonstrated wattage for power-up on the IRGASON® or EC150?

    The power requirement for the IRGASON® or EC150 with CSAT3A is 5 W at room temperature regardless of whether it is powering up or under steady-state operation.  At extreme cold or hot temperatures, the power requirement reaches 6 W.

  3. How can the IRGASON® or EC150 recover more quickly from precipitation, dew, or frost?

    The EC150 and IRGASON® gas analyzer windows are polished, slanted at an angle, and coated with a hydrophobic material to prevent water from collecting on their surfaces. Wicks may also be used on the windows to promote capillary action and move water away from the window edges. Also, heaters in the snouts may be turned on to help minimize data loss because of precipitation and condensation events.

  4. Is the IRGASON® well suited for all environments?

    The IRGASON® has been optimized for most terrestrial applications. If the IRGASON® is to be used in a marine environment or in an environment where it is exposed to corrosive chemicals (for example, sulfur-containing compounds in viticulture), expect the sonic transducers to age more quickly and require replacement sooner than a unit deployed in an inland, chemical-free environment. If possible, mount the IRGASON® in a way that reduces exposure to saltwater spray/splash and/or corrosive chemicals.

  5. How often do the windows on the IRGASON® or EC150 need to be cleaned?

    The factory calibration accounts for CO2 and H2O signal strengths down to 0.7. Therefore, to ensure quality data, windows should be cleaned before signal strengths drop below 0.7. 

  6. Why is a barometer needed for the IRGASON® or the EC150?

    The barometer and temperature sensor are needed because the IRGASON® and EC150 have been calibrated at the factory over a range of temperatures (-30° to +50°C) and barometric pressures (70 to 106 kPa). 

  7. If getting a span gas is difficult, can the analyzer just be zeroed?

    For greatest accuracy, Campbell Scientific recommends that a zero and a span be done on the EC150 or IRGASON®. However, if a span gas is difficult to obtain, at the minimum, perform a zero on the analyzer.  Performing a zero will correct the majority of drift experienced by the analyzer. Follow the zero procedure in the analyzer’s manual for details.

  8. What is the difference between the IRGASON® and the EC150?

    The IRGASON® is an integrated open-path gas analyzer and sonic anemometer, whereas the EC150 is a separate open-path gas analyzer that may be paired with a CSAT3A sonic anemometer. Both instruments provide measurements that are synchronous or simultaneous, made possible by having one set of electronics, the EC100, controlling the execution of both gas and wind measurements. With its integrated design, the IRGASON® is able to make measurements exactly colocated, which means that a spatial correction does not need to be applied to fluxes. Unlike the IRGASON®, the EC150 has measurement volumes that have a small separation, which means a spatial correction must be applied.  

    For more detailed information, see the white paper “EC150, IRGASON, or EC155: Which CO2 and H2O Eddy-Covariance System Is Best for My Application?”   

  9. How often should a zero/span be done on the IRGASON® or EC150?

    The frequency at which a zero/span should be done is highly dependent on site conditions; however, a monthly zero/span is a good starting point.  As a general guideline, monitor the optical drift of the instrument over time to determine how often a zero/span procedure needs to be performed. 

  10. What corrections have been made to the flux data coming from the IRGASON® or EC150?

    The open-path eddy-covariance program, which is sold as a common accessory for the IRGASON® and EC150, produces raw data in a time-series table and estimated fluxes in a 30 minute flux table. Estimated fluxes have undergone the Webb, Pearman, and Leuning (WPL) correction for density effects. Sonic temperature has also been corrected for humidity effects and then used to estimate sensible heat flux. Although data should undergo further corrections during post-processing, these estimated fluxes are useful in the field because they give immediate feedback as to whether the sensors are working properly and giving reasonable results.

    Campbell Scientific highly recommends post-processing of raw time-series data with all appropriate corrections before the publication of results. 

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