A fully automated FTIR system for remote sensing of greenhouse gases in the tropics

Abstract This article introduces a new fully automated FTIR system that is part of the TotalCarbon Column Observing Network. It will provide continuous ground-based mea-surements of column-averaged volume mixing ratio for CO 2 , CH 4 and several other 5 greenhouse gases in the tropics.Housed in a 20-foot shipping container it was developed as a transportable systemthat could be deployed almost anywhere in the world. We describe the automationconcept which relies on three autonomous subsystems and their interaction. Crucialcomponents like a sturdy and reliable solar tracker dome are described in detail. 10 First results of total column measurements at Jena, Germany show that the instru-ment works well and can provide diurnal as well as seasonal cycle for CO 2 . Instru-ment line shape measurements with an HCl cell suggest that the instrument stayswell-aligned over several months.After a short test campaign for side by side intercomaprison with an existing TCCON 15 instrument in Australia, the system will be transported to its final destination AscensionIsland.