EasyFlux DL Eddy-Covariance Datalogger Program
Fully Corrected Fluxes
Data logger program that computes fully corrected fluxes of CO2, latent heat, and sensible heat
weather applications supported water applications supported energy applications supported gas flux & turbulence applications supported infrastructure applications supported soil applications supported

Overview

EasyFlux® DL is a free CRBasic program that enables a data logger to report fully corrected fluxes of CO2, latent heat (H2O), sensible heat, and momentum from a Campbell Scientific open-path and closed-path eddy-covariance (EC) system. Final fluxes are processed from raw high frequency time series data by applying commonly used corrections found in scientific literature.

In the past, Campbell Scientific's data logger EC programs roughly estimated fluxes, and PC post-processing software was used to fully correct the flux measurements. Now with the EasyFlux® DL program, fully corrected fluxes are processed by the data logger and reported at the end of each EC averaging interval.

EasyFlux® DL has been tested at several stations in various environments, including irrigated alfalfa, grassland, maize, open water, forest, and desert. The results have shown good agreement with fluxes processed using traditional PC-based software applications.

To download EasyFlux® DL, refer to the Downloads section.

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Benefits and Features

  • Accesses final fluxes quickly without the burden of post-processing unwieldy time-series datasets
  • Produces flux output tables that are smaller than time-series tables, which allows flux data to be frequently collected using cellular, radio, or any other lower-bandwidth telemetry option
  • Available at no charge; see Downloads section on web page
  • Matches the fluxes provided by PC post-processing software packages (assuming same filtering of raw data and same selection of correction procedures)
  • Saves high frequency time series to removable media in case reprocessing is later needed
  • Includes data quality and footprint characteristics
  • Reports uncorrected and intermediate values in an auxiliary output table for more detailed data inspection
  • Provides for CR6 program fully processed data output in AmeriFlux format

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Technical Description

Provides fully corrected outputs of CO2 flux, latent heat flux, and sensible heat flux at a user-defined interval (e.g., 30 minutes). Also provides many other variables of atmospheric properties, instrument diagnostics, intermediate corrections, and other energy balance or biomet sensors. Comparisons of flux outputs have shown good agreement with other common post-processing software packages when applying the same set of corrections.

Main correction and processing procedures:

  • Despike and filter high frequency time series data using sonic anemometer and gas analyzer diagnostic codes, signal strengths, and measurement output range thresholds.
  • Apply coordinate rotations with an option to use the double rotation method (Tanner and Thurtell, 1969) or planar fit method (Wilczak et al., 2001).
  • Lag CO2 and H2O measurements against sonic wind measurements for maximization of CO2 and H2O fluxes (Horst and Lenschow, 2009; Foken et al., 2012), with additional constraints to ensure lags are physically possible.
  • Apply frequency corrections using commonly used cospectra (Moore, 1986; van Dijk, 2002; Moncrieff et al., 1997) and transfer functions for block averaging (Kaimal et al., 1989), line/volume averaging (Moore, 1986; Moncrieff et al., 1997; Foken et al., 2012; van Dijk, 2002), low-pass filter (Ibrom et al. 2007; FOR CPEC ONLY), time constants (Montgomery, 1947; Shapland et al., 2014; Geankoplis, 1993, Burgon et al. 2016), and sensor separation (Horst and Lenschow, 2009; Foken et al., 2012).
  • Apply a modified SND correction (Schotanus et al., 1983) to derive sensible heat flux from sonic sensible heat flux following the implementation as outlined in van Dijk (2002). Additionally, fully corrected sensible heat flux computed from a fine-wire thermocouple is provided if our FW05, FW1, or FW3 is used.
  • Apply correction for air density fluctuations using Webb et al., 1980.
  • Assign data quality classifications (QC) based on steady state conditions and surface layer turbulence characteristics following Foken et al., 2002 to conform to AmeriFlux format. In addition, Foken et al., (2012) is also followed to include wind direction. An additional set of QC is provided.
  • Calculate footprint characteristics using Kljun et al., 2004 or Kormann and Meixner, 2001.
  • If energy balance sensors are used, calculate energy closure based on energy balance measurements and corrected sensible and latent heat fluxes.
  • Sonic shadow correction is optional.
  • CO2 spectroscopic correction using air temperature at high frequency nature as default and at convention as an option. CO2 values corrected using different air temperature are all stored at the measured frequency.

Specifications


Main correction and processing procedures:

  • Despike and filter 10 Hz data using sonic anemometer and gas analyzer diagnostic codes, signal strengths, and measurement output range thresholds.
  • Apply coordinate rotations with an option to use the double rotation method (Tanner and Thurtell, 1969) or planar fit method (Wilczak, 2001).
  • Lag CO2 and H2O measurements against sonic wind measurements for maximization of CO2 and H2O fluxes (Horst and Lenschow, 2009; Foken et al., 2012), with additional constraints to ensure lags are physically possible.
  • Apply frequency corrections using commonly used cospectra (Moore, 1986; Dijk, 2002; Moncrieff et al., 1997) and transfer functions for block averaging (Kaimal et al., 1989), line/volume averaging (Moore, 1986; Moncrieff et al., 1997; Foken et al., 2012; Dijk, 2002), time constants (Montgomery, 1947; Shapland et al., 2014; Geankoplis, 1993), and sensor separation (Horst and Lenschow, 2009; Foken et al., 2012).
  • Apply a modified SND correction (Schotanus et al., 1983) to derive sensible heat flux from sonic sensible heat flux following the implementation as outlined in Dijk (2002). Additionally, fully corrected real sensible heat flux computed from fine-wire thermometry may be provided.
  • Apply correction for air density changes using WPL equations (Webb et al., 1980).
  • Assign data quality classifications based on steady-state conditions, surface-layer turbulence characteristics, and wind directions following Foken et al. (2012).
  • Calculate footprint characteristics using Kljun et al. (2004) or Kormann and Meixner (2001).
  • If energy balance sensors are used, calculate energy closure based on energy balance measurements and corrected sensible and latent heat fluxes.

Compatibility

Required Equipment

  • IRGASON Integrated CO2 and H2O Open-Path Gas Analyzer and 3-D Sonic Anemometer OR EC150 CO2 and H2O Open-Path Gas Analyzer with CSAT3A 3-D Sonic Anemometer OR EC155 CO2 and H2O Closed-Path Gas Analyzer with CSAT3A 3-D Sonic Anemometer
  • CR6 datalogger (with CDM-A116 for channel expansion to accommodate energy balance sensors), CR3000, or CR1000X
  • NL115, NL116, or CFM100 (CR3000 only)
  • CFMC2G or 27158 (2 GB) or 33288 (8 GB) or 38476 (16 GB) microSD Flash SLC Memory Card (CR6 only) or CFMC16G CompactFlash card (CR3000 only)

Supported Optional Sensors*

  • GRANITE™ VOLT 108 or GRANITE™ VOLT 116 5V Analog Input Module
  • FW05, FW1, or FW3 Fine-Wire Thermocouple
  • HygroVue™10, EE181-L, or HMP155A-L Temperature and Relative Humidity Sensor
  • CNR4, NR01, or SN500SS Net Radiometer
  • CS301 or CS320 Pyranometer
  • CS310 Quantum (PAR) Sensor
  • SI-111 Infrared Radiometer
  • TE525MM Tipping Bucket Rain Gage 
  • TCAV Averaging Soil Thermocouple Probe (quantity up to three)
  • CS650 Water Content Reflectometer (quantity up to three)
  • HFP01 or HFP01SC Soil Heat Flux Plate (quantity up to three)

*It may be possible to add non-standard sensors to the program upon request and for a fee.

Downloads

EasyFlux DL for CR6OP v.2.01 (98.2 KB) 21-07-2022

CR6 datalogger program for Campbell open-path eddy-covariance systems.

View Revision History

EasyFlux DL for CR3000 v.1.2 (50.1 KB) 04-04-2018

CR3000 datalogger program for Campbell open-path eddy-covariance systems.

EasyFlux DL for CR6CP v.1.06 (132 KB) 09-11-2023

CR6 datalogger program for Campbell closed-path eddy-covariance systems.

View Revision History

EasyFlux DL for CR1000XOP v.2.01 (98.2 KB) 21-07-2022

CR1000X datalogger program for Campbell open-path eddy-covariance systems.

View Revision History

Related FAQs

Number of FAQs related to EasyFlux DL: 8

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  1. Are data outputs from EasyFlux™-DL ready to publish?

    It is the responsibility of the user to ensure data quality and fitness for publication. When the instruments are properly maintained and conditions are well-suited for open-path EC measurements, most likely the flux results are in their final and usable form, but the user should still verify that the corrections were appropriate for the site and that the data are fit for further use. The raw time-series data are always stored on a CompactFlash card, so a user may reprocess raw data with a post-processing software package.

  2. Does EasyFlux™-DL work for stations in a variety of land types?

    EasyFlux™-DL has been tested in a variety of landscapes including forest, open water, short crops, and desert. It has been found to work well in all landscapes, assuming the instruments are properly maintained. 

  3. What needs to be done to set up EasyFlux™-DL?

    To set up EasyFlux™-DL, follow these steps:

    1. Open EasyFlux™-DL in a text editor, such as the CRBasic Editor.
    2. Set the instrument constants (for example, which sensors are being measured). 
    3. Load EasyFlux™-DL just like any other datalogger program using LoggerNet software.
    4. After all the sensors are installed and wired, use the CR3000 keypad to set or fine-tune the station variables (for example, measurement height, canopy height). The instruction manual provides step-by-step instructions for this process.
  4. Can EasyFlux™-DL be used with a gas analyzer besides the IRGASON and EC150?

    EasyFlux™-DL in its native form only supports Campbell Scientific open-path gas analyzers (that is, IRGASON or EC150). In some cases it may be possible to adapt the EasyFlux™-DL program for a particular gas analyzer. Contact an application engineer at Campbell Scientific to discuss the possibility of customization and to request a quote. 

  5. Can EasyFlux™-DL be used with other biomet or energy balance sensors?

    In most cases it is possible to adapt the EasyFlux™-DL program for other biomet or energy balance sensors. Contact an application engineer at Campbell Scientific to discuss the possibility of customization and to request a quote. 

  6. What sample rates does EasyFlux™-DL operate at?

    EasyFlux™-DL samples the eddy-covariance sensors at 10 Hz. It is possible to measure at faster rates if an adapted version of EasyFlux™-DL is running on a CR6 datalogger.

  7. Can EasyFlux™-DL be run on a datalogger besides the CR3000?

    EasyFlux™-DL in its native form will only run on a CR3000 datalogger. It is possible to adapt the EasyFlux™-DL program for use on a CR6 datalogger; however, it won’t run on any other datalogger. Contact an application engineer at Campbell Scientific for more details.

  8. Can EasyFlux™-DL be used with a sonic anemometer besides the IRGASON or CSAT3A?

    EasyFlux™-DL in its native form only supports the IRGASON or CSAT3A sonic anemometers. It is possible to adapt the EasyFlux™-DL program to support other Campbell Scientific sonic anemometers (for example, CSAT3 or CSAT3B). The program cannot be adapted to other non-Campbell sonic anemometers.

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