System overview
The Nanovision System
Nanovision’s advanced TDLAS-based air quality monitoring system offers a quantum leap in facility management—a fusion of world-class sensing technology, secure IoT infrastructure, and actionable analytics, all tailored for the demands of today’s business leaders.
Nanovision is a complete IoT solution designed for the realities of emissions monitoring in operational environments:
- Advanced TDLAS sensors: Robust, precise, and built to withstand operational conditions.
- Wireless data transmission: Secure, reliable connectivity to the cloud.
- Data platform: Encrypted, scalable, and compliant with the highest standards.
- User-friendly dashboard: Near-real-time insights, accessible from any device.
IoT Architecture: Secure, Robust, and Future-Ready
The Nanovision platform is designed following SOLID architecture principles for reliability and maintainability in operational environments. Its layered structure ensures local data resilience (on-device and on-premises), reliable wireless transmission (via MQTT or industrial Wi-Fi), and remote access via the cloud for centralized monitoring across multiple sites. Whenever connectivity is disrupted, data are retained for later upload, ensuring no loss of crucial air quality information.
The open API architecture enables integration with proprietary operational management systems and automation controllers (HVAC, fans, air scrubbers), reducing vendor lock-in and enabling customization as use cases advance. Role-based user management and audit trails support enterprise cybersecurity and regulatory requirements.
Nanovision’s commitment to standards compliance (ISO/IEC 27001, GDPR, right-to-repair, and device cybersecurity) ensures long-term compatibility with the evolving tech landscape.
Every sensor device is continuously monitored by Nanovision to detect malfunctioning at the earliest possibility. Faults will automatically trigger alerts to end-users and service actions by Nanovision.
Nanovision’s user interface is designed from the ground up for operational workflows:
- Dashboards: Live spatial maps of gas hotspots; time-series graphs of NH₃, CH₄, CO₂, and N₂O concentrations, with color-coded thresholds for quick at-a-glance status.
- Custom Alerts: User-defined thresholds for gases and environmental conditions with mobile notifications, SMS, and email support.
- Historical Analytics: Trend plots for day/week/cycle/year, supporting root-cause analysis and performance improvement across batches, barns, or sites.
- Exportable Reports: One-click generation of analytics for regulatory compliance, sustainability, or financial planning purposes.
- Role-Based Views: Different stakeholders see tailored views focused on their operational needs.
The interface is optimized for laptop and tablet screens and mobile access, ensuring ease of use wherever you are. Accessibility features ensure usability for all worker groups, and APIs support deeper integration with bespoke analytics.
Data integrity and security are foundational to Nanovision’s platform design. With robust encryption (in transit and at rest), role-based access controls, audit logging, and data retention policies aligned to GDPR and sectoral requirements, Nanovision ensures both compliance and customer trust. Security features are baked into every layer—from device firmware to cloud dashboard—protecting sensitive user data, worker information, and environmental logsIn addition, Nanovision supports regular security patches and firmware updates and is audited against leading IoT cybersecurity frameworks, including ISO 24882 for machinery and device hardening.
Gold standard Sensor Technology
The key building block of Nanovision’s emissions monitoring system is the sensor device. The technology used in our sensor devices is called TDLAS. TDLAS stands for Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy—a long name for a very elegant idea. It’s a technology that uses a focused beam of light to measure gases in the air with exceptional accuracy.
Here’s how it works in plain language:
A small laser sends an invisible light beam across an open space—typically 40 to 200 meters. Certain gases, like methane or ammonia, absorb very specific colours of light. By measuring how much of that light is absorbed, the system can instantly calculate how much of the gas is present in the air. By extremely precise measurement of light intensity, TDLAS quantifies gas levels down to parts-per-billion.
To make the system even easier to install, the laser emitter and receiver both sit inside a single sensor device. The emitted laser beam is reflected back to the receiver by a retro-reflector mounted on the opposite side of the detection area.
No filters. No chemical reactions. No moving parts.
Just pure optical physics, which makes it incredibly reliable.
And only one sensor device to be mounted and connected.
Why this matters
- Highly accurate – each gas has a unique “light fingerprint,” so the system knows exactly what it’s measuring.
- Fast – measurements happen in real time, giving immediate insight into leaks or emissions.
- Stable and low‑maintenance – lasers don’t drift or wear out the way traditional sensors do.
- Long‑range – one sensor can cover large areas that would otherwise require many point sensors.
What this means for you
TDLAS brings laboratory‑grade precision into the field. It’s ideal for operators who need continuous, trustworthy, and cost‑effective monitoring of gases like methane or ammonia—without needing an engineering degree to understand how it works or why it’s the gold standard.
Why TDLAS Stands Apart
Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) has become the gold standard in trace gas analysis for livestock and other gas emitting environments.
Key advantages:
- High selectivity: Virtually no cross-interference between different gas species, enabling simultaneous detection of NH₃, CH₄, CO₂, and N₂O—even in complex atmospheres.
- Rapid response: Real-time measurements support immediate intervention (seconds, not minutes or hours) essential in dynamic environments.
- Low maintenance & longevity: Minimal calibration drift, resistance to fouling, and robust mechanical design support years of use in harsh conditions.
- Scalability: From single-point monitoring to large-scale sensor networks for full area coverage, TDLAS is highly modular.
When compared to traditional infrared, metal-oxide, or electrochemical sensors, TDLAS offers superior long-term stability, selectivity, and accuracy, with no frequent calibration or replacement cycles required.
Competitive Differentiators
The air quality sensor market is evolving rapidly. Recent reviews rank TDLAS and multi-sensor IoT platforms above conventional solutions for their:
- Precision and specificity: Avoiding false readings, essential for regulatory compliance and insurance documentation.
- Price/performance: While upfront costs are only slightly higher, total cost of ownership (TCO) is lower due to reduced maintenance, decreased downtime, and regulatory compliance efficiency.
- Integration and data management: Modern TDLAS systems like Nanovision offer direct cloud integration, open data APIs, and user-friendly dashboards, far outpacing older siloed sensor networks.
Other technologies (metal oxide, photoacoustic, electrochemical) face challenges in selectivity, long-term drift, and harsh environmental resistance, often requiring costly maintenance in real-world settings. In contrast, TDLAS is field-proven in demanding agricultural barns, biogas facilities, and environmental monitoring stations.