UV-B Network Instrumentation
The UV-B Monitoring and Research Program operates a national network of solar irradiance monitoring stations equipped with instruments which provide measurements to meet the needs of both agricultural and atmospheric researchers.

Our instrumentation includes:
  • Ultraviolet Multifilter Rotating Shadowband Radiometer: Direct, Total Horizontal, and Diffuse UV Irradiance at nominal 300, 305, 311, 317, 325, 332 and 368 nano-meter wavelengths
  • Photosynthetically Active Radiation Sensor: 400 - 700 nano-meter wavelengths
  • Broadband UVB-1 Pyranometer: (280-320 nm, erythemal weighted for skin damage)
  • Multifilter Rotating Shadowband Radiometer: Direct, Total Horizontal and Diffuse Visible Irradiance at nominal 415, 500, 615, 673, 870, 940 nano-meter wavelengths, plus one unfiltered (open) silicon photodiode of 300-1040 nm.
  • Barometric Pressure Sensor
  • Air Temperature and Relative Humidity Sensor
  • Downward Looking Photometer
  • UV-A biometer

A detailed description of these instruments is available from the menu at the right.

All instruments have on-board data logging capability. Measurements are provided as 3-minute averages, aggregated from 15/20 second readings of each instruments' raw output voltage.

Our instruments and support equipment typically receive annual on-site servicing and maintenance. Mission critical sensors are calibrated annually. Measurements are scrutinized both automatically and manually by program staff daily. Trained on-site technicians service and maintain field instruments weekly, and are available to respond quickly to requests for problem resolution.