PSI LaiPen LP 110 Manual

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Manual Version: 2023/11

www.psi.cz

This document and its parts can be copied or provided to a third party only with the express permission of PSI.

The contents of this manual have been verified to correspond to the specifications of the device. However, deviations cannot be ruled out.

Therefore, a complete correspondence between the manual and the real device cannot be guaranteed. The information in this manual is

regularly checked, and corrections may be made in subsequent versions.

The visualizations shown in this manual are only illustrative.

This manual is an integral part of the purchase and delivery of equipment and its accessories and both Parties must abide by it.

 
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TABLE OF CONTENT 
1Information Before Using the Device..................................................................................................... 5 
2Device Description and Accessories....................................................................................................... 6 
2.1 Accessories ...................................................................................................................................................7 
2.1.1 Notebook Computer.....................................................................................................................................7 
2.1.2 Telescopic Rod ..............................................................................................................................................7 
2.1.3 Tripod............................................................................................................................................................7 
2.1.4 Substitute Connection Cable ........................................................................................................................7 
3Technical Specifications......................................................................................................................... 8 
4Principle of Measurement ..................................................................................................................... 9 
4.1 Measured Parameters ..................................................................................................................................9 
4.2 Measuring Reference Values ......................................................................................................................10 
4.2.1 Distance Nearest Shading Obstacle ............................................................................................................10 
4.2.2 Measurement Relative to the Sun..............................................................................................................10 
4.2.3 Reference for Single Sensor Mode of Measurement .................................................................................11 
4.2.4 Reference for Dual Sensor Mode of Measurement....................................................................................12 
5Getting Started.................................................................................................................................... 13 
5.1 General Guide to Measurement.................................................................................................................13 
5.2 Dark Calibration Prior to Measurement .....................................................................................................13 
5.3 Single Sensor Mode of Measurement ........................................................................................................14 
5.4 Dual Sensor mode of Measurement...........................................................................................................15 
5.5 Multiple Angle mode of Measurement ......................................................................................................16 
5.6 Example of Zenith Angle Measurement and Lai Calculation ......................................................................17 
6Control Menu Tree .............................................................................................................................. 19 
7Connecting via USB cable .................................................................................................................... 24 
8Connecting via Bluetooth .................................................................................................................... 24 
9FluorPen Software............................................................................................................................... 25 

 
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1 Software Installation...................................................................................................................................25 
2 Menu and Icons Explanation ......................................................................................................................26 
2.1 Main Menu .................................................................................................................................................26 
2.2 Menu Settings.............................................................................................................................................27 
3 Data Download and Visualization...............................................................................................................27 
3.1 Single Sensor Mode ....................................................................................................................................27 
4 Data Export .................................................................................................................................................28 
Firmware Update ................................................................................................................................ 29 
GPS Module......................................................................................................................................... 31 
1 GPS operation .............................................................................................................................................31 
2 Data download............................................................................................................................................32 
Warranty terms and conditions........................................................................................................... 33 
References .......................................................................................................................................... 33 
List of Figures ...................................................................................................................................... 34 
 
 

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1INFORMATION BEFORE USING THE DEVICE

Carefully unpack the carton. You should have received the following items:

•LaiPen LP 110

•Carrying case

•Textile strap for comfortable wearing

•Installation USB flash drive with FluorPen software, USB driver and this guide

•Connection cable (4 Pin Male to USB 2.0 A Male)

•Other accessories or features based on specific order

If any item from the list above is missing, please, contact PSI. Also check the package for any visible external damage. If you find any

damage, notify the carrier and PSI immediately. The carton and all packing materials should be retained for inspection by the carrier or

insurer.

For customer support, please write to: [email protected]

Before starting operation of the instrument read this manual carefully and follow the instructions. If you are not sure about anything in

the manual, contact the manufacturer for prominence. By taking this device, the customer agrees to follow the instructions in this guide.

Always follow the specific instructions for use and maintenance of equipment and its accessories. It is forbidden to interfere to the

hardware and software part of the device and its accessories.

Copying or other interference in software is considered copyright infringement and is sanctioned in accordance with the relevant

legislation. These activities can also lead to loss of warranty on the device and its accessories. Those activities may also cause damage to

health and property.

Read this manual carefully before operating the device. If you are not sure about something in the manual, contact the manufacturer

for clarification.

By accepting the device, the customer agrees to follow the instructions in this guide.

Always follow corresponding manuals while working with the device or doing the maintenance. It is forbidden to interfere with the

hardware or software of the device in any way without previous agreement with the manufacturer.

The following table presents basic highlight symbols used in this manual:

Symbol

Description

Important information, read carefully.

Complementary and additional information.

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2DEVICE DESCRIPTION AND ACCESSORIES

Instrument for fast and easily repeatable measurements of Leaf Area Index (LAI) from solar radiation. The LaiPen was designed by

scientists and engineers to provide instant readouts that can be exported to computer for further processing. Unlike in other similar

instruments measuring LAI, the LaiPen LP 100 is accurate in most daylight conditions and does not require cloud cover or specific sun

angles for its proper performance. ALAI irradiance is an irradiance of the blue part of visible spectrum and can be measured with a LAI

sensor, which is placed on a side of the LaiPen instrument. The LAI sensor is covered with a black restriction cup (Fig. 1). PAR can be

measured with a PAR sensor, which is placed in the middle of the front side of the instrument (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 LaiPen LP 110 Physical Features

LaiPen device is supplied with the following items:

•Connection cable

•Padded carrying case to protect the instrument during transportation (Fig. 2)

•Control software and manual on a USB stick

•Textile strap

Fig. 2 Padded carrying case to protect the instrument during transportation

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2.1 ACCESSORIES

2.1.1 NOTEBOOK COMPUTER

Portable notebook computer (laptop). The type and specification vary according to current availability on the market. For detailed

information contact PSI at [email protected]

2.1.2 TELESCOPIC ROD

LaiPen instrument attached to a telescopic rod can facilitate measurements of distinct vegetation canopy layers at different heights. It

can also be used to measure reference values above canopy of mid –sized plants or shrubs. Acoustic indicator on the LaiPen device would

indicate completion of each remote measurement through sudden changes in beeping tone and frequency.

Fig. 3 Telescopic rod

2.1.3 TRIPOD

Reference measurement in dual sensor mode can be achieved only with the LaiPen instrument mounted to a stable construction in an

open area. Portable light telescopic tripod can provide such a fixed reference point.

Fig. 4 Tripod

2.1.4 SUBSTITUTE CONNECTION CABLE

Substitute connection cable (4 Pin Male to USB 2.0 A Male) allows communication between the LaiPen device and the PC. The LaiPen

device is delivered with one connection cable included in price of device.

Fig. 5 Substitute connection cable

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3TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

LAI Pen 110

Measured and calculated

parameters

Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, 400 –700 nm)

ALAI radiation (blue band of the spectrum, 400–500 nm)

PAR index calculated as PAR transmittance through canopy

ALAI index calculated as ALAI transmittance through canopy

Measurement at multiple

zenith angles:

0°, 16°, 32°, 48°, 64°

View Restricting Cap:

Horizontal field of view: 112°

Vertical field of view: 16°

Memory Capacity

16 MB

Internal Data Logging

Up to 100,000 data points

Actinic Illumination

Horizontal field of view: 112°

Detector Wavelength

Range:

PAR measurement: 400 –700 nm band pass filter

ALAI measurement: 400 - 500 nm band pass filter

Detector

PIN photodiode with bandpass filters

Data transfer

Connection cable

Bluetooth (transfer up to 3 Mbps for distance up to 20 m)

PC software

FluorPen

Battery

Li-Ion rechargeable battery

Capacity 2000 mAh

Max. charging current 0.5 A

Charging via USB port - PC, power bank, USB charger, etc.

48 hours typical with full operation, low battery indicator

Keypad

Sealed, 2-key tactile response

Turns off after 5 minutes of no use

Built in GPS module

Ultra-high sensitivity down to -165 dBm

High accuracy of < 1.5 m in 50 % of trials

Size

120 x 57 x 30 mm

Weight

180 g

Operating conditions

Temperature: 0 to +55 °C

Relative humidity: 0 to 95 % (non-condensing)

Storage conditions

Temperature: -10 to +60 °C

Relative humidity: 0 to 95 % (non-condensing)

Warranty

1-year parts and labor

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Bluetooth module compliance data

Category

Country

Standard

Radio

USA

FCC Part 15 Subpart B: 2008 Class B

FCC CRF Title 47 Part 15 Subpart C

FCC ID:

T9J-RN42

Europe

ETSI EN 301 489-1 V1.8.1

ETSI EN 301 489-17 V2.1.1

ETSI EN 300 328 V1.7.1

Canada

IC RSS-210 low power comm. device

Certification

number:

6514A-RN42

EMC

USA

FCC CFR47 Part 15 subclass B

Europe

EN 55022 Class B radiated

EN61000-4-2 ESD immunity

EN61000-4-3 radiated field

EN61000-4-6 RF immunity

EN61000-4-8 power magnetic immunity

4PRINCIPLE OF MEASUREMENT

4.1 MEASURED PARAMETERS

Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) is quantified as μmol photons m-2s-1, which is a measure of the photosynthetic photon flux

density (PPFD). The percent proportion of photosynthetic photon flux density (% PPFD) below a canopy can be interpreted as the canopy

PAR transmittance. PAR transmittance linearly correlates with canopy gap fraction, which is a parameter used to quantify probability of

solar radiation penetration through the canopy using photographs. LaiPen LP 100 can measure PAR irradiance with the use of PAR sensor

(see Fig.1) in a single wide angular detection range.

Leaf Area Index (LAI) is defined as one-sided green leaf area per unit ground surface area (LAI = leaf area/ ground area, m2/ m2) in

broadleaf canopies.

Although absorption of PAR by the vegetation canopy is sufficient for LAI calculation, LaiPen LP 100 is also offering to measure irradiance

of the blue part of solar radiation (400-500 nm) with LAI sensor (Fig.1). This irradiance, here designated as ALAI irradiance, is the most

efficiently absorbed part of the spectrum by green leaves, and therefore is more convenient for LAI calculation than PAR.

The LAI sensor is a single optical sensor used in conjunction with a view restriction cup (Fig.1) restricting the LAI sensor view to 160 (Z

axis) and 1120 angle (X axis). ALAI transmittance is measured by holding the instrument either vertically in zenith direction (i.e. zenith

angle 0°), or by subsequent inclination into five zenith angles: 0°, 16°, 32°, 48° and 64°.

LAI is then calculated from ALAI transmittance or PAR values after downloading the readouts from the LaiPen device to a computer

equipped with a spreadsheet software (e.g. MS Excel). Light transmittance below vegetation canopy (either PAR or ALAI) is then

calculated as irradiance from below the canopy divided by irradiance values from above or next to the canopy:

T = I /I0(Equation 1),

where I is irradiance intensity below the canopy, I0 is irradiance falling on vegetation (reference irradiance).

LAI is defined as the leaf area above the ground surface area: LAI = leaf area / ground area (units: m2/m2or ha2/ha2) and then can be

considered dimensionless. Methods of LAI determination, which are based on measuring irradiance intensity rely on the fact that

intensity of irradiance decreases exponentially when it passes through vegetation canopy according to Lambert-Beer extinction law

modified by Monsi - Saeki (Hirose, 2005):

I= I0e (–k LAI)(Equation 2), hence

LAI = - ln (I /I0)/ k (Equation 3), where

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I is the irradiance intensity under the canopy, I0is the intensity of irradiance above the vegetation, e is Euler’s number and k is extinction

coefficient. Extinction coefficient is estimated from shape, orientation and position of each element of vegetation canopy with a known

inclination of canopy element and view direction (Breda, 2003).

As the values of extinction coefficient are usually close to 0.5 (e.g. Pierce and Running, 1988), the equation 3 can be simplified as

presented by Lang et al. (1991):

LAI = 2 |ln t| for inhomogeneous canopies (Equation 4) or

LAI = 2 |lnT| for homogeneous canopies (Equation 5),

where t is transmitance at each canopy measurement point and T is average transmitance of all t values per transect or stand.

After the initial calculation, LAI must be further corrected by proportion of woody elements surface area (WAI). Measurement below

canopy of coniferous trees requires further corrections of the LAI due to clumping of needles within shoots (Stenberg et al , 1999).

The initial LAI value uncorrected to the final value is often referred to effective LAI (LAIe). Correcting the LAIe

value to the final LAI value may not be always necessary (e.g. comparing groups with equal correction factors).

4.2 MEASURING REFERENCE

4.2.1 DISTANCE NEAREST SHADING OBSTACLE

Light transmittance through vegetation canopy is calculated from two irradiance values

T= I/I0 (Equation 1).

Irradiance measured below the canopy is divided by reference irradiance value measured either above the vegetation canopy or in an

open space without obstacles, which can cause shading. The reference measuring point in an open space depends on the view angle of

the light meter sensor (PAR or LAI) and the height of the nearest obstacle (see Fig. 6). The minimum recommended distance (D) for all

LaiPen reference measurements is approximately 1.5 multiple of the nearest obstacle height.

Fig. 6 Distance from the nearest obstacle.

Distance (D) from the operator (black circle) to the nearest obstacle (tree drawing) is dependent on the height of the nearest obstacle (H) and the

LaiPen maximum view angle α shown in grey (α=112˚). The enclosed table states minimum recommended distance values (D) for three obstacle heights

(H).

4.2.2 MEASUREMENT RELATIVE TO THE SUN

Measurement of ALAI irradiance with LAI sensor is dependent on field of view of the restricting cap. Since the angle of view is wide open

(112° in one axis), it is essential to prevent direct sunlight entering the view restriction cup. The overexposure of a LAI sensor could lead

to misinterpretation of actual light condition. Before each measurement, it is necessary to position the instrument as described in Fig. 7.

to obey the principle, that during measurement, the LAI sensor is never exposed to direct sunlight. Correct positioning of the LaiPen

relative to the sun does applies not only for obtaining correct reference values, but also for measurements below in-homogenous

canopies with incidental direct sunlight.

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