FPI SupNIR-1200 Portable Near-Infrared Spectrometer

Overview

The FPI SupNIR-1200 Portable Near-Infrared Spectrometer is an engineered solution for field-deployable, non-destructive compositional analysis based on diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in the short-wave near-infrared (SW-NIR) region. Operating on a grating-scanning optical architecture, the instrument acquires high-fidelity spectral data across a calibrated wavelength range of 1000–1800 nm with a fixed sampling interval of 1 nm—enabling robust spectral resolution suitable for multivariate calibration modeling. Its compact, handheld form factor integrates an optomechanically stable optical path, temperature-compensated detector array, and embedded signal processing firmware to ensure measurement repeatability under variable ambient conditions. Designed explicitly for real-time, on-site decision support—not laboratory-grade absolute quantification—the SupNIR-1200 delivers rapid spectral acquisition (<1 s per scan), making it appropriate for high-throughput screening in dynamic operational environments such as grain elevators, feed mills, and agricultural supply chain checkpoints.

Key Features

• Grating-scanning monochromator architecture ensures consistent spectral fidelity and long-term optical alignment stability without moving gratings or rotating filters.
• Diffuse reflectance optical configuration with downward-facing probe geometry enables direct contact or near-contact measurement of heterogeneous solid samples—including granular, powdered, flaked, and pelleted materials—without sample preparation.
• Integrated rechargeable lithium-ion battery supports continuous operation for up to 8 hours under typical field-use conditions, eliminating dependency on external power sources during mobile deployment.
• Bluetooth 4.2 wireless interface enables secure, low-latency communication with certified Android-based control tablets or smartphones running the proprietary FPI SupNIR mobile application.
• Firmware-level spectral preprocessing includes dark-current subtraction, detector response normalization, and optional Savitzky-Golay smoothing—providing raw and preprocessed spectra ready for external chemometric modeling.
• Ruggedized aluminum alloy housing meets IP54 ingress protection standards for dust and splash resistance, supporting reliable use in industrial and outdoor settings.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SupNIR-1200 is validated for non-invasive analysis of intact solid-phase matrices commonly encountered in agri-food and feed industries: whole grains (e.g., wheat, corn, soybeans), milled flour, animal feed pellets, dried legumes, and processed cereal products. Its diffuse reflectance mode accommodates surface irregularities and particle size distributions typical of bulk commodities, provided sample depth exceeds optical penetration depth (~2–5 mm in most cereal matrices). While the instrument itself does not include embedded chemometric models or regulatory-compliant calibration databases, its spectral output format (ASCII .csv or .jdx) is compatible with third-party PLS, PCR, or SVM regression workflows developed per ASTM E1655 (Standard Practices for Infrared Multivariate Quantitative Analysis) and ISO 12099 (Animal feeding stuffs — Guidance on the application of near infrared spectroscopy). Device firmware and mobile application comply with RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and CE marking requirements for electromagnetic compatibility (EN 61326-1) and safety (EN 61010-1).

Software & Data Management

Control and spectral acquisition are managed via the FPI SupNIR Android application (v3.2+), which provides real-time spectrum visualization, manual or auto-triggered scanning, metadata tagging (operator ID, location GPS, timestamp), and local storage of raw spectral files. All spectral data may be exported in standardized formats (.csv, .jdx) for offline chemometric development using industry-standard platforms such as Unscrambler X, MATLAB, or Python-based scikit-learn pipelines. Cloud synchronization is supported through optional FPI-hosted secure repositories—accessible only via authenticated enterprise accounts—with audit-trail logging for user actions and data transfers. Although the device does not natively implement FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic signatures or audit trails, its data export architecture allows integration into validated LIMS or QMS environments where full traceability and data integrity controls are externally enforced.

Applications

• Grain quality assessment at intake points: rapid estimation of moisture, protein, starch, and oil content in cereals and oilseeds without grinding or solvent extraction.
• In-line process monitoring in flour milling and feed pellet production: detection of formulation drift, ingredient substitution, or moisture variation across batch transitions.
• On-farm commodity verification: authentication of certified seed varieties or organic status via spectral fingerprint matching against reference libraries.
• Regulatory compliance screening: preliminary identification of adulterants (e.g., melamine in dairy powders, urea in feed) when coupled with validated qualitative classification models.
• Research-grade spectral library development: collection of field-acquired reference spectra under diverse environmental conditions to augment lab-based calibration sets.

FAQ

Does the SupNIR-1200 include built-in calibration models for specific analytes?

No. The instrument delivers raw and preprocessed spectral data only; quantitative or qualitative models must be developed externally using representative reference samples and chemometric software.
Is the device compatible with iOS or Windows operating systems?

No. Control and data acquisition are exclusively supported on Android OS v8.0 or higher via the official FPI SupNIR application.
Can spectral data be exported in ASTM E131-compliant format?

Yes. Exported .jdx files conform to JCAMP-DX v5.01 specifications, satisfying ASTM E131 requirements for interchange of infrared spectral data.
What is the recommended calibration transfer protocol between instruments?

FPI recommends standardization using NIST-traceable ceramic reflectance standards (e.g., SRS-010) and piecewise direct standardization (PDS) or slope/bias correction methods implemented in third-party chemometric tools.
Is the battery replaceable by the end user?

No. The sealed Li-ion battery is service-replaceable only by authorized FPI technical centers to maintain IP rating and optical alignment integrity.