Pyranometer Control Unit for Solar Radiation Measurement Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pyranometers face challenges in accurately measuring solar radiation due to a discrepancy between the fast measuring rate of thermopile-based sensors and the lower recording rate of data loggers, leading to loss of information and reduced measurement accuracy, especially during rapid changes in solar radiation such as those caused by cloudy skies.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a solar radiation measuring sensor, a data logger, and a control unit that calculates average solar radiation values using selectable averaging functions based on the recording rate of the data logger, allowing for enhanced accuracy in recording solar radiation data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a thermopile-based sensor is used to measure solar radiation at a fast measuring rate, then the response speed is improved, but the recording rate of the data logger remains low, causing loss of information
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary calculations of average solar radiation values at different time resolutions (e.g., 1-second, 10-second, 1-minute averages) before the data is recorded. This preliminary processing ensures that even though the data logger records at a lower rate, the essential information about rapid solar radiation changes is preserved in the calculated averages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the averaging time window based on the recording rate. When the recording rate is low, the system calculates averages over longer periods to ensure that the recorded data captures meaningful solar radiation patterns. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain information integrity despite the mismatch between fast sensing and slow recording.
2Device complexity
If the data logger records at a reduced rate, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to information loss
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit pre-calculates average solar radiation values at multiple time resolutions (1-second, 10-second, 1-minute averages) before recording. This preliminary computation ensures that the simplified data logging process still captures accurate solar radiation measurements by storing pre-processed average values that reflect the true solar radiation patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the fast thermopile sensor and the slow data logger. It receives high-frequency measurements, processes them into meaningful averages, and then passes the processed data to the data logger. This intermediary processing layer preserves measurement precision while allowing the data logger to operate at a reduced, simpler rate.
3Measurement precision
If traditional pyranometers integrate the signal over a longer time, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the solar radiation measurement data into multiple time-resolution categories (1-second averages, 10-second averages, 1-minute averages). Each segment serves a different purpose: short-term segments capture rapid changes for immediate response, while longer-term segments provide accurate integrated values for overall measurement accuracy. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both fast response and high accuracy simultaneously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively enhances the accuracy of solar radiation measurements by providing a solar radiation equivalent value that accurately represents the measured radiation over time, even when the recording rate is lower than the measuring rate, thus mitigating the loss of information and improving data reliability.
Implementation Method 1
In a thermopile-based sensor pyranometer, the solar radiation is measured by a sensor based on one or more thermopiles
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for measuring the solar radiation, a pyranometer for measuring the solar radiation, a method for measuring the solar radiation and a corresponding computer program product. According to an aspect, there is provided a system for measuring the solar radiation, comprising: a solar radiation measuring sensor configured to measure a solar radiation at a measuring rate; a data logger; and a control unit operatively connected to the solar radiation measuring sensor and to the data logger; wherein the control unit is configured to calculate based on a selectable averaging function at least one average value of the solar radiation measured by the solar radiation measuring sensor over a specified number of solar radiation samples, wherein the data logger is configured to at least partly record the at least one average value of the solar radiation calculated by the control unit at a recording rate, and wherein the control unit is configured to determine the recording rate of the data logger and further configured to select the selectable averaging function from a plurality of averaging functions for calculating the average value based on the recording rate of the data logger.