CUBIC INSTRUMENTS Gasboard-6200 Portable Particle Number (PN) Analyzer

Overview

The CUBIC INSTRUMENTS Gasboard-6200 is a portable, real-time particle number (PN) analyzer engineered for regulatory-compliant measurement of solid ultrafine particle emissions from internal combustion engines—particularly during transient vehicle testing and on-road inspection. It operates on the diffusion charging counting (DCC) principle: aerosol particles are charged via unipolar diffusion charging in a controlled corona field, followed by electrometric detection of total charge carried by the particle population. This method enables direct, filterless, and dilution-free sampling of hot, humid, and undiluted exhaust streams—eliminating artifacts introduced by condensation, coagulation, or wall losses common in dilution-based systems. Unlike optical or mobility-based counters, DCC provides robust quantification of solid nanoparticles ≥23 nm without requiring volatile particle remover (VPR) conditioning or complex sheath gas management. The Gasboard-6200 is explicitly designed to meet the metrological requirements of periodic technical inspection (PTI-PN) protocols defined by the Netherlands Metrology Institute (NMI) and the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), serving as a field-deployable alternative to laboratory-grade CPCs in mobile emission verification.

Key Features

• Direct exhaust measurement: No sample filtration, dilution, or volatile removal required—enables true in-situ PN assessment under real-world engine operating conditions.
• Diffusion charging counting (DCC) architecture: High sensitivity to solid nanoparticles ≥23 nm with minimal dependence on particle composition or refractive index.
• Heated sample line integration: Standard 230 VAC or 110 VAC heated probe (customizable length) prevents condensation and maintains particle integrity from tailpipe to sensor inlet.
• Fast response dynamics: T₀–T₉₅ response time <10 seconds supports high-frequency PN monitoring during WLTC, RDE, or accelerated aging cycles.
• Integrated calibration reference: Built-in zero and span verification capability using clean air and calibrated aerosol sources—no external compressed gas supply needed.
• Robust mechanical design: Aluminum alloy chassis, IP54-rated enclosure, and vibration-resistant internal layout ensure stable operation in mobile test environments.
• Intuitive human-machine interface: High-resolution capacitive touchscreen with multilingual menu navigation and real-time graphical trend display.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Gasboard-6200 is validated for use with gasoline direct injection (GDI), diesel compression ignition (CI), and hybrid powertrain exhaust streams—including cold-start, high-load, and particulate filter regeneration phases. Its DCC methodology complies with the metrological traceability framework specified in NMI’s PTI-PN Test Regulation (Issue 2022) and PTB’s Technical Guideline “Requirements for Portable PN Analyzers in Vehicle Inspection” (PTB-TR-2021-08). While not certified to ISO 8573 or ASTM D6243, the instrument meets functional equivalence criteria for on-site compliance screening per EU Regulation (EU) 2017/1151 Annex VI B and UNECE R83-07 amendments. All firmware and calibration logs maintain audit-ready timestamps and user-accessible metadata for GLP-aligned data governance.

Software & Data Management

Data acquisition and visualization are managed via embedded Linux-based firmware supporting configurable sampling intervals (0.1–10 s), automatic event tagging (e.g., engine start/stop, gear shift), and local storage of raw charge signals and derived PN concentrations (CSV export). Communication interfaces include standard RS-232 for legacy test benches; optional modules enable RS-485 Modbus RTU integration into centralized fleet monitoring platforms, Bluetooth 5.0 for smartphone configuration, and LTE Cat-M1/Wi-Fi 802.11n for cloud synchronization. Firmware updates are performed via USB or secure OTA protocol, with version-controlled change logs and cryptographic signature verification. Audit trails—including operator ID, calibration history, and environmental condition stamps—are retained for ≥30 days and exportable in FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compatible format upon request.

Applications

• Periodic Technical Inspection (PTI-PN) of light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles in municipal and national inspection centers.
• On-road remote sensing and roadside emission screening programs targeting non-compliant GDI and diesel fleets.
• Engine development labs performing rapid PN mapping across speed-load matrices without full dilution tunnel infrastructure.
• Aftertreatment system validation—especially for gasoline particulate filters (GPFs) and diesel particulate filters (DPFs)—under transient thermal cycling.
• Emission conformity audits conducted by national type-approval authorities and third-party certification bodies.
• Academic and governmental research on nanoparticle formation mechanisms in low-temperature combustion modes (e.g., RCCI, HCCI).

FAQ

Does the Gasboard-6200 require dilution or filtration before measurement?

No. It performs direct, undiluted, filterless sampling of raw exhaust using diffusion charging counting—minimizing measurement bias from particle loss or phase change.
What particle size range does it detect, and how is size cutoff defined?

It measures total particle number concentration for solid particles ≥23 nm mobility diameter, as verified against NIST-traceable monodisperse PSL standards and validated per PTB-TR-2021-08 Annex C.
Is the instrument suitable for continuous monitoring during RDE testing?

Yes. Its <10 s T₀–T₉₅ response time, heated sample line, and battery-compatible power options (with external DC-AC inverter) support uninterrupted PN logging across dynamic drive cycles.
How is calibration traceability maintained?

Factory calibration is referenced to NMI-certified aerosol generators. Field verification uses integrated zero air and calibrated neutralizer sources, with calibration certificates issued per ISO/IEC 17025–accredited procedures.
Can the Gasboard-6200 be integrated into existing test cell control systems?

Yes—via RS-232 (standard) or optional RS-485 Modbus RTU. API documentation and SCPI command sets are provided for seamless integration with AVL, Horiba, or ETAS test automation platforms.