How the Clarity Node-S and its add-on Modules work together to enhance air quality monitoring
Clarity Node-S
As the key building block of Sensing-as-a-Service, the Clarity Node-S is an advanced IoT device designed for comprehensive air quality monitoring, featuring:
- Versatile Sensing: Equipped with on-board sensors for particulate matter (laser light scattering), nitrogen dioxide (electrochemical cell sensor with selective filter), temperature, and humidity, the Node-S can also be expanded with add-on modules to extend its measurement range.
- Measurement Accuracy: Certified by MCERTS for high accuracy, validated through multiple third-party tests and collocation studies across diverse environments.
- Self-Sustaining Power: With an integrated solar power harvesting and storage system, it operates autonomously, eliminating the need for outdoor power outlets. Its battery supports operation for 30 days without any sunlight.
- Seamless Connectivity: Out-of-the-box cellular connectivity enables continuous data transmission to the Clarity Cloud, supporting reliable real-time monitoring.
- Fast Deployment: Designed for straightforward field deployment and includes mounting brackets for flexible installation options.
- Rugged Durability: Built to endure diverse environmental conditions, the Node-S has an average operational lifetime of 3.5 years. It’s UV-resistant, weatherproof, and boasts an IPX3 ingress protection rating. It is FCC and CE certified.
- Remote Status Monitoring: The Clarity Dashboard allows users to remotely monitor device status and troubleshoot any hardware issues, enhancing maintenance efficiency.
- Customizable Configuration: Users can configure the device through the Clarity Dashboard, assigning locations and creating new Datasources for measurement streaming.
This robust, flexible device powers accurate and scalable air quality monitoring.
Add-on Modules
Clarity offers several Add-on Modules that can be paired with Node-S air quality monitoring devices. These modules expand the capabilities of the base system by adding new measurement capabilities. The add-on modules available are the following:
- Wind Module: This is an Anemometer that collects data on wind speed, wind direction, ambient temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure. It enhances the environmental data collection capabilities of the sensor network.
- Ozone Module: This module uses Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) capable technology to measure Ozone concentration. It's particularly useful for customers in areas with ozone attainment issues.
- Black Carbon Module: This module measures Black Carbon, which is an extremely harmful component of particulate matter. It's important for assessing impacts on human health, agricultural productivity, and even global warming.
These add-on modules are designed to integrate seamlessly with the Node-S platform. They are based on industry-leading technology and undergo a rigorous selection and testing process before being made available to ensure reliability and quality.
Wind Module
The Wind Module provides comprehensive meteorological data. It measures wind speed and direction, ambient temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure with an ultrasonic anemometer. It has a wind speed measurement range of 0 to 60 m/s (resolution 0.01 m/s) and direction range of 0 to 360 degrees (resolution 0.1 degrees), with a typical accuracy of ± 2% for speed and ± 3° for direction in wind tunnel tests.
The information it provides offers valuable insights into the origins and movement patterns of air pollution. The device's capabilities extend to improving source attribution and air quality modeling.
A key feature of the Clarity Wind Module is its integration with the Clarity network dashboard, where it generates wind and pollution roses to aid in analytics and source attribution. This visual representation of wind data enhances the user's ability to understand and analyze air quality patterns.
Pollution Roses on the Clarity Dashboard
The module is designed for easy installation and operates as a plug-and-play solution. It draws power from the native solar panel of its companion Node-S device, eliminating the need for separate power sources and simplifying deployment in various environments.
By incorporating the Clarity Wind Module into an existing Clarity Node-S network, users can significantly improve their air quality monitoring and analysis capabilities. The additional meteorological data it provides allows for more comprehensive and accurate air quality assessments, enabling better-informed decisions.
Ozone Module
The Clarity Ozone Module is an advanced air quality monitoring device designed for accurate measurement of ambient ozone concentrations. It employs the well-established ultraviolet light absorption method at 254 nm, detecting ozone levels from a few parts-per-billion (ppb) up to 100 parts-per-million (ppm), making it versatile for a wide range of monitoring applications.
A key advantage of the Clarity Ozone Module is its use of technology recognized by the U.S. EPA as a Federal Equivalent Method (FEM): EQOA-0914-218, when operated according to standard protocols, ensuring its suitability for precise monitoring (R² > 0.9, RMSE < 4 ppb). in areas facing ozone attainment challenges. As ozone is a secondary pollutant with relatively consistent distribution over short distances, this module’s high accuracy and reliable data output make it preferable over lower-cost, lower-accuracy solutions.
Developed in collaboration with 2B Technologies, a leader in ozone monitoring, the Clarity Ozone Module integrates seamlessly into Clarity’s sensor networks, enhancing their capability to track this critical pollutant. Due to its higher power requirements, it cannot be powered by the Node-S onboard solar panel and battery. Instead, it can be operated by connecting the Node-S to its power adapter or utilizing the Clarity External Solar System.
Black Carbon Module
The Clarity Black Carbon Module, developed in partnership with AethLabs, is an advanced air quality monitoring device focused on measuring black carbon - a particularly harmful component of particulate matter with serious implications for human health, agricultural productivity, and climate change.
Technically, the Black Carbon Module is a real-time, 5-wavelength (880 nm, 625 nm, 528 nm, 470 nm, and 375 nm) UV-IR Aethalometer. It offers a measurement range of 0-1 mg/m³ with a resolution of 1 ng/m³ and a high accuracy comparable to the well-regarded Magee Scientific AE33 (R² > 0.9, RMSE < 200 ng/m³). By measuring at multiple wavelengths, it can determine total black carbon concentration and differentiate black carbon from biomass versus fossil fuel burning sources. This source apportionment feature enables users to identify specific sources of black carbon and particulate matter at a given location, such as distinguishing between traffic emissions and forest fires. Analysis of these insights is easily accessible through the Clarity Dashboard.
Real-time black carbon source apportionment between fossil fuels and biomass on Dashboard
Designed for outdoor environments, the module can be installed on street poles or fence lines, making it ideal for long-term monitoring campaigns. Its Filter Tape Cartridge system ensures minimal maintenance and supports extended multi-month deployments with infrequent site visits.
The Black Carbon Module works in tandem with the Clarity Node-S device. Due to its higher power requirements, it cannot be powered by the Node-S onboard solar panel and battery. Instead, it can be operated by connecting the Node-S to its power adapter or utilizing the Clarity External Solar System. A Wind Module can also be added to enhance source apportionment capabilities.
Clarity Node-S with Black Carbon Module deployed using Clarity External Solar System
Integrating the Clarity Black Carbon Module into a Clarity sensor network supports continuous monitoring and source analysis of black carbon and particulate matter, enabling organizations to answer advanced environmental questions.