NSA/SKYRAD/C1 - Downwelling IRT bias

The downwelling IRT was measuring higher sky/cloud temperatures than the AERI. The problem 
was corrected when the mirror was replaced.

• sky_ir_temp_min
• sky_ir_temp_std
• sky_ir_temp_max
• Temperature, Sky Infra-Red(sky_ir_temp)

NSA/SKYRAD/C1 - direct normal pyhrheliometer (NIP)shaded by WWRp

Direct normal radiation values drop nearly to zero from about 1515 GMT - 1525 GMT from 
4/05 to 4/16 2004.  Field observation reveals the WWRp is shading the NIP instrument during 
this time.  This shading event was expected to occur several months after the soltice as 
well but archive data showed no shading on or around 8/30/2004.  The direct normal 
instrument was apparently only shaded during the time period noted.

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• Radiation, shortwave, direct normal irradiance, 1-min avg(short_direct_normal)
• short_direct_normal_std
• Shortwave Direct Normal Irradiance, Pyrheliometer, Minima(short_direct_normal_min)
• Shortwave Direct Normal Irradiance, Pyrheliometer, Maxima(short_direct_normal_max)

NSA/SKYRAD/C1 - Tracker Inoperative

A blown fuse resulted in the tracker not shading the PIR and B&W
and the NIP not following the sun.

• Radiation, shortwave, direct normal irradiance, 1-min avg(short_direct_normal)
• Radiation, shortwave, downwelling diffuse hemispheric irradiance, 1-min avg(down_short_diffuse_hemisp)
• Downwelling Shortwave Diffuse Hemisp. Irrad., Ventilated Pyranometer, Maxima(down_short_diffuse_hemisp_max)
• short_direct_normal_std
• down_short_diffuse_hemisp_std
• Shortwave Direct Normal Irradiance, Pyrheliometer, Minima(short_direct_normal_min)
• Shortwave Direct Normal Irradiance, Pyrheliometer, Maxima(short_direct_normal_max)
• Downwelling Shortwave Diffuse Hemisp. Irrad., Ventilated Pyranometer, Minima(down_short_diffuse_hemisp_min)

NSA/SKYRAD/C1 - itermittant IRT bias

A problem with the SKYRAD IRT that itermittantly produced a gradual increase in the sky 
temperature measurement then a sudden correction, as compared to AERI, appears to have been 
caused by a combination of a failing IR detector, a poor signal cable, a contaminated 
(with condensation or frost) mirror or lens, and low ambient temperatures. The positive 
bias was apparently not consistant in either frequency or duration but on days when the 
unusual behavior is observed, it usually occurred from about 00:00 to 06:00 local time. 

The instrument was repaired and recalibrated and the signal cable replaced.

• sky_ir_temp_min
• sky_ir_temp_std
• sky_ir_temp_max
• Temperature, Sky Infra-Red(sky_ir_temp)

NSA/SKYRAD/C1 - Frosting and Condensation

The operators in both Barrow and Atqasuk reported significant ice buildup during nights 
for the period specified, with the ice melting during the days. This condition is reported 
in preventative maintenance reports as continuing until on or near 5/18/2004. However, 
review of data shows no discernable radiometer icing.

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• down_long_hemisp_shaded2_std
• down_long_hemisp_unshaded_std
• sky_ir_temp_min
• psps_mean
• sky_ir_temp_max
• psps_min
• down_long_hemisp_shaded2_max
• pirs_mean
• Downwelling Shortwave Diffuse Hemisp. Irrad., Ventilated Pyranometer, Minima(down_short_diffuse_hemisp_min)
• uvb_mean
• nip_min
• down_long_hemisp_shaded1_max
• pirs_min
• pir1_sd
• short_direct_normal_std
• pirs_max
• Downwelling Longwave Hemispheric Irrad., Shaded Ventilated Pyrgeometer, Minima(down_long_hemisp_shaded_min)
• psps_sd
• Downwelling Longwave Hemispheric Irradiance, Unshaded Pyrgeometer, Minima(down_long_hemisp_unshaded_min)
• Downwelling Longwave Hemispheric Irradiance, Unshaded Pyrgeometer, Maxima(down_long_hemisp_unshaded_max)
• psp1_min
• psp1_max
• Downwelling Shortwave Diffuse Hemisp. Irrad., Ventilated Pyranometer, Maxima(down_short_diffuse_hemisp_max)
• down_short_diffuse_hemisp_std
• pir1_mean
• nip_max
• psp1_mean
• sky_ir_temp_std
• Downwelling Ultra-Violet Irradiance, UV Biometer(down_uvb)
• Shortwave Direct Normal Irradiance, Pyrheliometer, Maxima(short_direct_normal_max)
• irt1_mean
• uvb_min
• Radiation, shortwave, downwelling diffuse hemispheric irradiance, 1-min avg(down_short_diffuse_hemisp)
• down_uvb_std
• Downwelling Shortwave Hemispheric Irradiance, Ventilated Pyranometer, Maxima(down_short_hemisp_max)
• Downwelling Shortwave Hemispheric Irradiance, Ventilated Pyranometer, Minima(down_short_hemisp_min)
• Shortwave Direct Normal Irradiance, Pyrheliometer, Minima(short_direct_normal_min)
• nip_mean
• Downwelling Ultra-Violet Irradiance, UV Biometer, Maxima(down_uvb_max)
• uvb_sd
• down_short_hemisp_std
• Irradiance, longwave, downwelling, hemispheric, shaded pyrgeometer1(down_long_hemisp_shaded1)
• uvb_max
• pirs_sd
• irt1_min
• Irradiance, longwave, downwelling, hemispheric, shaded pyrgeometer2(down_long_hemisp_shaded2)
• Temperature, Sky Infra-Red(sky_ir_temp)
• psp1_sd
• irt1_max
• Radiation, shortwave, downwelling total hemispheric irradiance, 1-min avg(down_short_hemisp)
• Downwelling Longwave Hemispheric Irrad., Shaded Ventilated Pyrgeometer, Maxima(down_long_hemisp_shaded_max)
• down_long_hemisp_shaded2_min
• Downwelling Longwave Hemispheric Irradiance, Unshaded Pyrgeometer(down_long_hemisp_unshaded)
• nip_sd
• pir1_min
• Downwelling Ultra-Violet Irradiance, UV Biometer, Minima(down_uvb_min)
• Downwelling Longwave Hemispheric Irradiance, Shaded Ventilated Pyrgeometer(down_long_hemisp_shaded)
• down_long_hemisp_shaded_std
• psps_max
• irt1_sd
• Radiation, shortwave, direct normal irradiance, 1-min avg(short_direct_normal)
• pir1_max
• down_long_hemisp_shaded1_std
• down_long_hemisp_shaded1_min

• pir2_dome_therm
• inst_down_long_unshaded_case_resist
• Irradiance, longwave, downwelling, hemispheric, thermopile (Shaded Pyrgeometer1)(inst_down_long_hemisp_shaded_tp)
• Irradiance, ultraviolet, downwelling (UV Biometer)(inst_down_uvb_irradiance)
• inst_down_long_shaded_dome_resist
• pir2_uncorr_irradiance
• inst_down_uvb_temp
• inst_down_long_shaded2_dome_resist
• inst_down_long_shaded1_case_resist
• inst_down_long_shaded_case_resist
• uvb_temp
• Irradiance, longwave, downwelling, hemispheric, thermopile (Shaded Pyrgeometer2)(inst_down_long_hemisp_unshaded_tp)
• inst_down_long_shaded1_dome_resist
• uvb_uncorr_irradiance
• inst_down_long_shaded2_case_resist
• pir2_case_therm
• pir1_uncorr_irradiance
• pir1_case_therm
• Irradiance, longwave, downwelling, hemispheric, thermopile (Shaded Pyrgeometer2)(inst_down_long_hemisp_shaded2_tp)
• Irradiance, longwave, downwelling, hemispheric, thermopile (Shaded Pyrgeometer1)(inst_down_long_hemisp_shaded1_tp)
• pir1_dome_therm
• inst_down_long_unshaded_dome_resist

NSA/GNDRAD/C1 - IRT power failure

After performing corrective maintenance which involved turning off power to the GNDRAD 
instruments and data logger, power to the IRT was not restored. The problem was corrected by 
replacing the data logger.

• Surface Infra-Red Temperature Minima(sfc_ir_temp_min)
• sfc_ir_temp_std
• Surface Infra-Red Temperature Maxima(sfc_ir_temp_max)
• Effective Surface (Skin) Temperature(sfc_ir_temp)

NSA/GNDRAD/C1 - Frosting/Condensation

The GNDRAD PIR and IRT comparison was showing the IRT 2-4 W/m^2 greater than the PIR.  
Suspected snow or frost on the instrument(s).  Corrective maintenance performed 10/15/04 at 
21:30 UT.  Optics of both instruments were cleaned.  Upwelling longwave measurement 
agreement restored (+/- 5 W/^2).

Although the relative performance (agreement) of the two instruments improved after 
corrective maintenance (+/- 2 W/m^2), no correction is suggested because the agreement remains 
with the estimated measurement uncertainty of +/- 4 W/m^2 (IRT) and +/-10 W/m^2 (Inverted 
PIR)

• Effective Surface (Skin) Temperature(sfc_ir_temp)
• net_std
• Upwelling Longwave Hemispheric Irradiance, Unventilated Pyrgeometer, Maxima(up_long_hemisp_max)
• Upwelling Longwave Hemispheric Irradiance, Unventilated Pyrgeometer, Minima(up_long_hemisp_min)
• Surface Infra-Red Temperature Minima(sfc_ir_temp_min)
• sfc_ir_temp_std
• up_long_hemisp_std
• Surface Infra-Red Temperature Maxima(sfc_ir_temp_max)
• Radiation, longwave, at 10-m height, upwelling hemispheric irrad., 1-min avg(up_long_hemisp)

• Raw data stream - documentation not supported

• pir1_case_therm
• inst_up_long_hemisp_tp
• inst_up_long_case_resist
• pir1_dome_therm
• pir1_voltage
• inst_up_long_dome_resist

NSA/SKYRAD/C1 - Reprocess: Incorrect datalogger program affecting PIR1 and PIR2 
downwelling longwave

The excitation delays using in measuring the PIR1 case thermistor commonly named "Case1" 
and the PIR2 dome thermistor called "Dome2" were discovered to have been incorrectly set 
to 0 in the Skyrad datalogger program when the new CR23X based Skyrad loggers were 
installed.  The result of no delay in these measurements results in an error in the measured 
resistance of the thermistors, Case1 and Dome2 and thus the calculated PIR1 and PIR2 
irradiances.  The errors are inversely proportial to temperature.

Users can apply the temperature dependent irradiance corrections shown in the table below. 
 Recall that the reported uncertainty of PIRs is typically +-.25% to +-.5% or 1 to 2 
W/m2.  The error corrections become the same order of magnitude or larger than the 
instrument uncertainties at or below 260K or 9F. 

Correction Table for Skyrad (TWP and NSA) DIR1 and DIR2 Irradiance				
	DIR1	DIR1	DIR2	DIR2
T[F]	Tcase[K]	Correction[W/m2]	Tdome[K]	Correction[W/m2]
109.4	316.13	0.00	316.13	0.00
100.5	311.20	-0.15	311.20	0.12
93.2	307.14	-0.12	307.14	0.10
87.0	303.70	-0.10	303.70	0.08
81.6	300.70	-0.17	300.70	0.14
77.0	298.15	-0.22	298.15	0.18
59.4	288.35	-0.34	288.35	0.27
47.4	281.72	-0.23	281.72	0.18
38.5	276.74	-0.42	276.74	0.34
31.3	272.77	-0.48	272.77	0.38
25.4	269.48	-0.61	269.48	0.49
20.3	266.67	-0.67	266.67	0.54
16.0	264.25	-0.82	264.25	0.66
12.1	262.11	-0.98	262.11	0.79
8.7	260.19	-0.97	260.19	0.78
5.6	258.46	-1.07	258.46	0.86
2.7	256.89	-1.17	256.89	0.94
0.1	255.44	-1.33	255.44	1.07
-2.3	254.11	-1.41	254.11	1.13
-4.5	252.87	-1.43	252.87	1.15
-6.6	251.71	-1.52	251.71	1.22
-8.5	250.63	-1.63	250.63	1.31
-10.4	249.62	-1.73	249.62	1.39
-12.2	248.58	-1.79	248.58	1.44
-15.4	246.82	-1.93	246.82	1.55
-18.3	245.23	-2.05	245.23	1.65
-20.9	243.78	-2.22	243.78	1.78
-23.3	242.44	-2.36	242.44	1.89
-25.5	241.21	-2.58	241.21	2.07
-27.5	240.07	-2.65	240.07	2.13
-29.5	239.01	-2.75	239.01	2.21
-31.3	238.00	-3.02	238.00	2.42

• down_long_hemisp_shaded2_std
• down_long_hemisp_shaded2_min
• down_long_hemisp_shaded2_max
• down_long_hemisp_shaded1_max
• Irradiance, longwave, downwelling, hemispheric, shaded pyrgeometer1(down_long_hemisp_shaded1)
• down_long_hemisp_shaded1_std
• Irradiance, longwave, downwelling, hemispheric, shaded pyrgeometer2(down_long_hemisp_shaded2)
• down_long_hemisp_shaded1_min

• Irradiance, longwave, downwelling, hemispheric, thermopile (Shaded Pyrgeometer1)(inst_down_long_hemisp_shaded1_tp)
• Irradiance, longwave, downwelling, hemispheric, thermopile (Shaded Pyrgeometer2)(inst_down_long_hemisp_shaded2_tp)
• inst_down_long_shaded1_case_resist
• inst_down_long_shaded2_dome_resist
• inst_down_long_shaded2_case_resist
• inst_down_long_shaded1_dome_resist

NSA/SKYRAD/C1 - Reprocess: Longwave Calibration error

Modified pyrgeometer calibration procedures were implemented beginning in December 2003.  
These modified procedures introduced a calibration bias in the longwave data.  The 
previous procedures were re-implemented at all sites between December 2005 and February 2006 to 
restore proper calibrations.                                                             
                The data collected while the incorrect procedures were in place are 
being reprocessing to remove the calibration bias.  Note, this also affected standard 
deviation, maximum and minimum data fields.

• Irradiance, longwave, downwelling, hemispheric, shaded pyrgeometer1(down_long_hemisp_shaded1)
• Irradiance, longwave, downwelling, hemispheric, shaded pyrgeometer2(down_long_hemisp_shaded2)

NSA/GNDRAD/C1 - Reprocess: Longwave Calibration error

Modified pyrgeometer calibration procedures were implemented beginning in December 2003.  
These modified procedures introduced a calibration bias in the longwave data.  The 
previous procedures were re-implemented at all sites between December 2005 and February 2006 to 
restore proper calibrations.                                                             
                The data collected while the incorrect procedures were in place are 
being reprocessing to remove the calibration bias.  Note, this also affected standard 
deviation, maximum and minimum data fields.

• Radiation, longwave, at 10-m height, upwelling hemispheric irrad., 1-min avg(up_long_hemisp)

NSA/SKYRAD/C1 - Summer solstice shading of radiometers

On and around the summer solstice, the NIP (Direct Normal shortwave measurement) and PSP 
(global hemispheic shortwave measurement) radiometers are shaded by other instruments or 
support structures.  Shading azimuths have been determined for this site.  The radiometer 
mentor suggests not using the data from the NIP and PSP radiometers when the sun is 
within the following azimuth bounds (typically from May 8th to August 5th of each year):
Instrmt Obstruction     AzStart     AzEnd     
NIP     rad table       346         358
NIP     met tower       13          15
PSP     mfrsr           6           16

• psps_sd
• psp1_sd
• Radiation, shortwave, downwelling total hemispheric irradiance, 1-min avg(down_short_hemisp)
• psps_mean
• psps_min
• Downwelling Shortwave Hemispheric Irradiance, Ventilated Pyranometer, Maxima(down_short_hemisp_max)
• nip_sd
• Downwelling Shortwave Hemispheric Irradiance, Ventilated Pyranometer, Minima(down_short_hemisp_min)
• psp1_min
• psp1_max
• Shortwave Direct Normal Irradiance, Pyrheliometer, Minima(short_direct_normal_min)
• nip_mean
• Radiation, shortwave, direct normal irradiance, 1-min avg(short_direct_normal)
• nip_min
• psps_max
• nip_max
• psp1_mean
• down_short_hemisp_std
• short_direct_normal_std
• Shortwave Direct Normal Irradiance, Pyrheliometer, Maxima(short_direct_normal_max)

NSA/SKYRAD/C1 - Missing data

Data are missing and unrecoverable.

• vBatt
• inst_down_long_hemisp2_tp
• Radiation, shortwave, downwelling diffuse hemispheric irradiance, 1-min avg(down_short_diffuse_hemisp)
• lat
• sky_ir_temp_min
• sky_ir_temp_max
• Downwelling Shortwave Hemispheric Irradiance, Ventilated Pyranometer, Maxima(down_short_hemisp_max)
• Downwelling Shortwave Hemispheric Irradiance, Ventilated Pyranometer, Minima(down_short_hemisp_min)
• Downwelling Longwave Hemispheric Irradiance, Shaded Pyrgeometer1(down_long_hemisp1)
• Shortwave Direct Normal Irradiance, Pyrheliometer, Minima(short_direct_normal_min)
• alt
• Downwelling Shortwave Diffuse Hemisp. Irrad., Ventilated Pyranometer, Minima(down_short_diffuse_hemisp_min)
• logger_temp
• down_short_hemisp_std
• down_long_hemisp1_min
• inst_down_long_hemisp1_tp
• short_direct_normal_std
• inst_down_long_hemisp2_dome_temp
• time_offset
• Temperature, Sky Infra-Red(sky_ir_temp)
• down_long_hemisp1_max
• inst_down_long_hemisp2_case_temp
• Radiation, shortwave, downwelling total hemispheric irradiance, 1-min avg(down_short_hemisp)
• inst_down_long_hemisp1_dome_temp
• time
• lon
• down_long_hemisp2_min
• Downwelling Shortwave Diffuse Hemisp. Irrad., Ventilated Pyranometer, Maxima(down_short_diffuse_hemisp_max)
• down_short_diffuse_hemisp_std
• down_long_hemisp2_max
• down_long_hemisp2_std
• inst_down_long_hemisp1_case_temp
• Downwelling Longwave Hemispheric Irradiance, Shaded Pyrgeometer2(down_long_hemisp2)
• Radiation, shortwave, direct normal irradiance, 1-min avg(short_direct_normal)
• sky_ir_temp_std
• base_time
• down_long_hemisp1_std
• Shortwave Direct Normal Irradiance, Pyrheliometer, Maxima(short_direct_normal_max)

NSA/SKYRAD/C1 -

Values from the lat, lon, and alt fields are incorrectly set to 0.

• lat
• lon
• alt