CIRAS-3 Operation Manual V. 1.09  38  support@ppsystems.com 
 
CFM-3 Chlorophyll Fluorescence Module (For use with the PLC3 Universal only) 
The chlorophyll fluorescence module (CFM-3) has the following improvements: 
•  CFM-3 electronics have been streamlined and miniaturized, while keeping the CFM-3 and light 
unit in a single multi-functional package, i.e. for combined photosynthesis measurements. 
•  10000 µmol m
-2
 s
-1 
 maximum saturating pulse intensity  
•  A flash saturating pulse (Multi-Pulse) was incorporated for estimation of apparent Fm’. 
 
Changes to CIRAS-3 Software 
The new user-friendly and intuitive software is easy to navigate, involving no programming or complicated 
software language.  Basically, navigating CIRAS-3 menus is performed by way of clearly labeled function 
keys to move between menus and screens, then a TAB key moves you among entry fields, where 
selections are entered or selected from dropdown lists.  Menu overviews are much improved, categorical 
menus are displayed with all options visible. There are clear, menu-driven controls for setup, operation, 
recording and data recall.  For example, you can make changes to dynamic Controls, e.g. CO
2
, H
2
O, 
light, temperature with as few as three key presses. 
Below are several new software highlights: 
•  Toggle to view either the full suite of numeric Measured, Control and Gas Exchange data or your 
choice of 0-5 numeric parameters and as many as 3 line graphs or scatter plots 
•  Customize the screen to see your preferred combination of information available from the system 
and the leaf 
•  View absolute and differential IRGA values associated with either gas, e.g. CO2r, CO2a, CO2d  
•  The standard calculated photosynthesis parameters are now A, Ci, E, gs, WUE, VPD 
•  Data collection – set up Manual, Timed interval, or designed Response Curves with a few key 
presses, write/edit your own response curve scripts in simple .xml format 
•  Data review – on-screen view of numeric records (entire data set) or view graphical time-course 
trends and two-variable scatter relationships immediately 
•  Data transfer – download/upload scripts and data files via USB2 memory devices 
Environmental Control  
•  CO
2
 has simplified control options, approximate concentrations (ideal for response curves), fixed 
concentrations or ambient operation 
•  H
2
O has simplified control options, fixed concentrations, constant VPD, ambient operation