The CIMEL Electronique CE318 multiband sun photometer that performs measurements of spectral sun irradiance and sky radiances. The latest CE318-T model also performs nighttime measurements of the spectral lunar irradiance.

Components: A sensor head fitted with 25 cm collimators is attached to a 40 cm robot base which systematically points the sensor head at the Sun, the sky and the moon according to a preprogrammed routine. The Cimel control unit, batteries, and Sutron satellite transmission equipment are usually deployed in a weatherproof plastic case of 30 cm x 62 cm x 46 cm dimensions. The total weight of the Cimel sun photometer itself is approximately 15 kg, with an additional 22 kg contributed by the control box, battery, Sutron satellite transmitter, the weatherproof case, and other materials.

+ Complete System Equipment Details

We STRONGLY encourage the owners of the older versions (v5 and below) to upgrade their instruments to CE318-T version. Sites within ACTRIS domain and directly funded to become ACTRIS national facilities are required to upgrade to CE318-T by 2025.

Instruments since 2014

Cimel Sun photometers most recent model (CE318-T) includes an new control unit with improved and additional features (e.g., microstepping for faster and smoother robot response, onboard data storage, lunar measurement scenarios, GPS, and communication via serial, USB, cellular, and DCP) and a new sensor head with an improved pointing device for tracking both sun and moon. The new system is compatible with previous robot versions.

It is available in 3 models (standard, polarized and Seaprism) (see Complete System Equipment Details).

The model firmware is upgradable using an on site or a remotely accessible PC.

Instruments From 2004 - 2014

Cimel sun photometers manufactured since 2004 have a new naming convention:

• CE 318N (new) (V, E,U) (B or P) (S or X) (1 - 9)

(Visible, Extended, Ultraviolet)
(Base or Polarized)
[Standard or other (X) filter arrangement]
(Number of filters installed by Cimel Electronique)

These Models had an improved sensor head optics design with onboard processing. Extended wavelength versions had a Hamamatsu (model G8421-05) InGaAs, or Indium gallium arsenide detector instead of a second silicon detector. These models use 5.2x(a-f) firmware.

Instruments Prior to 2004

Cimel sun photometers produced until 2004 were available in two 8-filter models:

• CE-318-1 Standard Model with 1020-870-675-440-936-500-340-380 nm filters
• CE-318-2 Polar Model with 1020-870P1-675-440-870P2-870-936-870P3 nm filters

where P indicates a polarized filter. These instruments have Hamamatsu detectors, an ultraviolet (UV) enhanced silicon detector for the sun collimator (model S1336), and a silicon detector for the sky collimator (model S2386). Firmware 4.8xb versions installed in these models include:

• 4.80b for VX1004 GMT data collection platforms
• 4.81b for VX1004/2 data collection platforms

Satellite data transmissions require a Sutron SATLINK2 data logger/transmitter.

Sutron SATLINK2

Sutron SATLINK2 data logger/transmitters are also used in the network. These systems must be programmed using a personal computer (PC) or pocket PC.