TWP/QCRAD/C1/C2/C3  - error in qc flags

In the qc_down_short_diffuse_hemisp field, QC failures from the test indicated by bit_13, 
"data failed tracker off test", were set incorrectly as bit_9, "GSW2SumSW (93 > SZA > 75 
and SumSW > 50; GSW/SumSW < 0.85 or GSW/SumSW > 1.15)".  Solar tracker failures are 
correctly indicated in the aqc_down_short_diffuse_hemisp field. 

In the qc_short_direct_normal field, QC failures from the test indicated by bit_10, "data 
failed tracker off test", were set incorrectly as bit_9, "GSW2SumSW (93 > SZA > 75 and 
SumSW > 50; GSW/ SumSW < 0.85 or GSW/SumSW > 1.15)".  Solar tracker failures are correctly 
indicated in the aqc_short_direct_normal field. 

This is a software problem in the VAP that impacts all dates for which a solar tracker 
failure occurred prior to 20100608 for each facility.  The 20020312 start date was chosen 
because the DQR system can not link multiple start/end date/times with multiple facilities 
within the same report.  As a result, the latest start date corresponding to C3 was 
chosen. The actual start dates for which this problem could have occurred for each facility 
are as follows:

C1:  19961010
C2:  19981029
C3:  20020312

Please note that if a solar tracker failure is not indicated by the 
aqc_down_short_diffuse_hemisp and/or aqc_short_direct_normal fields you can ignore this DQR.

• Shortwave Direct Normal Irradiance(short_direct_normal)
• Irradiance, shortwave, downwelling, diffuse, hemispheric, pyranometer(down_short_diffuse_hemisp)

TWP/QCRAD/C3 - LWdn flux questionable

Downwelling longwave flux is noisy during this time period. Data are questionable.

No instrument DQR exists documenting this problem.

• Downwelling longwave hemispheric irradiance, pyrgeometer(down_long_hemisp)

TWP/QCRAD/C3 - Upwelling SW flux bad

Upwelling shortwave flux is zero during this time period. Data are bad. The cause is not 
known.

No instrument DQR exists documenting this problem.

• Upwelling shortwave hemispheric irradiance, pyranometer(up_short_hemisp)

TWP/QCRAD/C3 - Downwelling LW Tc/Td missing

Downwelling longwave case and dome temperatures are missing. Not all tests/corrections can 
be applied to downwelling longwave during this time.

No instrument DQR exists documenting this problem.

• Downwelling longwave hemispheric irradiance, pyrgeometer(down_long_hemisp)
• LWdnTc
• LWdnTd

TWP/QCRAD/C3 - Spike in upwelling shortwave

A spike exists in the upwelling shortwave flux. Data are likely bad. The cause for the 
spike is not known.

No instrument DQR exists documenting this problem.

• Upwelling shortwave hemispheric irradiance, pyranometer(up_short_hemisp)

TWP/QCRAD/C3 - Tracker not working

The solar tracker was not working correctly during these times. It appears to stop every 
day at solar noon. See description in instrument DQRs D060223.7 and D060217.1

Diffuse and direct normal shortwave fluxes are bad during this time. If 
"source_BestEstimate_down_short_hemisp" is 0, don't use Best Estimate GSW data. Note that fewer quality 
checks can be applied accurately to the BestEstimate data. Shaded downwelling longwave 
measurements could have higher uncertainties during this time, but are probably fine.

• Shortwave Direct Normal Irradiance(short_direct_normal)
• Best Estimate Global Downwelling Shortwave Hemispheric Irradiance(BestEstimate_down_short_hemisp)
• Irradiance, shortwave, downwelling, diffuse, hemispheric, pyranometer(down_short_diffuse_hemisp)

TWP/QCRAD/C3 - Tracker inoperative

Tracker inoperative because hit by lightning. Diffuse and direct normal shortwave 
irradiance incorrect during this time. 

Problem described in instrument DQR D051114.3

• Shortwave Direct Normal Irradiance(short_direct_normal)
• Best Estimate Global Downwelling Shortwave Hemispheric Irradiance(BestEstimate_down_short_hemisp)
• Irradiance, shortwave, downwelling, diffuse, hemispheric, pyranometer(down_short_diffuse_hemisp)

TWP/QCRAD/C3 - NIP failure

NIP data is bad during this time until a new instrument was installed. Direct normal 
shortwave irradiance incorrect during this time. 

Problem described in instrument DQR D061120.1

• Shortwave Direct Normal Irradiance(short_direct_normal)

TWP/QCRAD/C3 - Tracker inoperative

Tracker inoperative because hit by lightning. Diffuse and direct normal shortwave 
irradiance incorrect during this time. LW downwelling data can have higher uncertainties under 
direct sun.

Problem described in instrument DQR D090129.1

• Shortwave Direct Normal Irradiance(short_direct_normal)
• Best Estimate Global Downwelling Shortwave Hemispheric Irradiance(BestEstimate_down_short_hemisp)
• Irradiance, shortwave, downwelling, diffuse, hemispheric, pyranometer(down_short_diffuse_hemisp)

TWP/QCRAD/C3 - Lightning struck MFRSR, data bad

MFRSR data incorrect during this time because instrument struck by lightning; some tests 
on best estimate global shortwave cannot be applied.  BEGSW could be incorrect if MFRSR 
data used in tests or fits.

Documented in instrument DQR D050418.1

• MFRSR_hemisp_broadband
• MFRSR_direct_normal_broadband
• MFRSR_diffuse_hemisp_broadband

TWP/QCRAD/C3 - MFRSR shading problem

MFRSR diffuse and direct fluxes incorrect during this time because instrument was not 
shading properly.  Some tests on best estimate global shortwave cannot be applied.  BEGSW 
could be incorrect if MFRSR data used in tests or fits.

Documented in instrument DQR D030317.2, D050106.2

• MFRSR_direct_normal_broadband
• MFRSR_diffuse_hemisp_broadband

TWP/QCRAD/C3 - MFRSR data bad

A refurbished system with a new logger was installed on 20100114.  This was our first 
installation in the Southern Hemisphere.  We had an unknown software bug, and initially the 
instrument was set up 180 deg off in an effort to get it to shade properly. This didn't 
work, and may have resulted in odd negative direct normal values. A software fix was made, 
and the instrument was set up correctly on March 11. From that point forward, data look OK. 

Some tests on best estimate global shortwave cannot be applied.  BEGSW could be incorrect 
if MFRSR data used in tests or fits.

Documented in instrument DQR D100520.2

• MFRSR_hemisp_broadband
• MFRSR_direct_normal_broadband
• MFRSR_diffuse_hemisp_broadband

TWP/QCRAD/C3 - GNDRAD shutdown for tropical cyclone

On Jan 3rd approximately 1000GMT the effects of a tropical cyclone started affecting the 
installed radiometer measurements at ARM/TWP/C3(Darwin) - both SKYRAD and GNDRAD.  On Jan 
4th, 0740 GMT the GNDRAD was shutdown to avoid damage due to the close passing of this 
storm. GNDRAD was restarted Jan 7th 0515GMT.

• Upwelling shortwave hemispheric irradiance, pyranometer(up_short_hemisp)
• Upwelling longwave hemispheric irradiance, pyrgeometer(up_long_hemisp)

TWP/QCRAD/C3 - Tower inverted for instrument testing and replacement

The tower at Darwin was brought down to test and replace the GNDRAD PIR on 8/5/2005 and 
the PSP on 8/9/2005.  Upwelling fluxes are incorrect.

Described in instrument DQR D050919.4.

• Upwelling shortwave hemispheric irradiance, pyranometer(up_short_hemisp)
• Upwelling longwave hemispheric irradiance, pyrgeometer(up_long_hemisp)

TWP/QCRAD/C3 - Reprocess: NIP calibration incorrect

On 05/20 during installation of the new Campbell datalogger system and associated program 
the NIP (S/N 33551E6) was assigned an incorrect calibration coefficient.  A coefficient 
of 116.01 W/m2/mV was applied when it should have been 124.378 W/m2/mV.

Problem documented in instrument DQRs D050104.1 & D040904.2

• Shortwave Direct Normal Irradiance(short_direct_normal)

TWP/QCRAD/C3 - NIP instrument failure

NIP is not working during these time periods as described in instrument DQRs D061214.1 & 
D081222.2.

Direct normal irradiance is bad.

• Shortwave Direct Normal Irradiance(short_direct_normal)