MetScan Nano 1D – Downward-Facing Drone Methane Detection (TDLAS) for DJI Matrice 4D & Dock 3

Overview

The AIRINS MetScan Nano 1D is a laser-based remote methane sensor (OP-TDLAS, diffuse reflection) built for the DJI Matrice 4D/4TD. It is downward-facing: pointed at the ground, it sweeps a strip beneath the drone’s flight path and detects methane from a distance.

It is designed for inspecting pipelines, facilities and landfills, including repeat missions from a DJI Dock 3. The Matrice 4D/4TD mount is included, so there is no integration kit to buy.

Key Benefits

• 2D measurement localization – each measurement point is calculated from the drone’s position and the sensor’s orientation, with medium to high accuracy.
• Approx. 50 Hz – measurement frequency, compared with 1 to 5 Hz on the Nano 1F.
• Dock 3 compatible – repeat missions from a DJI Dock 3, via the Matrice 4D/4TD.
• Direct integration – powered through the DJI E-Port, drone position provided by the DJI PSDK, mount included.
• AIRINS.ai included – the data analysis platform comes with the purchase, for perpetual use.

Drone Compatibility

• DJI Matrice 4D / 4TD – direct E-Port connection, mount included
• DJI Dock 3 – repeat missions via the Matrice 4D/4TD

For other AIRINS sensors, see the AIRINS and DJI compatibility page.

Nano 1D or Nano 1F: Downward or Forward-Facing?

Both sensors share the same OP-TDLAS measurement principle, measurement range and detection limit. They differ in sensor orientation, measurement frequency and the way each measurement is located.

Criterion	MetScan Nano 1D	MetScan Nano 1F
Sensor orientation	downward, toward the ground	forward
Typical use	strip scanning of pipelines and facilities	screening of components and equipment
Measurement frequency	approx. 50 Hz	configurable from 1 to 5 Hz
Target point localization	calculated from the drone’s position and the sensor’s orientation, assuming flat ground	no estimate of the laser impact point: the sensor’s position and pointing orientation are recorded
Localization accuracy	medium to high (2D)	medium to low (mainly visual synchronization)
System weight	240 g ± 5 g	235 g ± 5 g

To inspect components and equipment with a forward-facing sensor, see the MetScan Nano 1F. For versatile aerial screening, there is the MetScan V1P, and for in-situ, closed-path measurement, the Sniffer4D Nano2+ Methane.

AIRINS.ai Included with Purchase

The sensor is operated from DJI Pilot 2, while the AIRINS.ai platform is used for data analysis. It is included with the purchase of the MetScan Nano 1D:

• Perpetual use – no license to renew to keep using the software.
• One year of warranty, support and updates – remote technical support and software updates included.
• After the first year – the hardware and software remain usable.
• Subscription plan – an alternative to purchase: opening an AIRINS.ai account, a refundable security deposit, a quarterly fee that includes a kilometer allowance, then per-kilometer billing beyond that allowance. Terms and pricing on request.
• Options – on-prem deployment, MQTT forwarding to third-party tools, webpage embedding: available on request.

Warranty, calibration and service life

Warranty
Standard one-year warranty. The extension can only be purchased with the initial order, at 20% of the total product value per additional year, up to two years of extension. After the warranty period, the hardware and software remain fully usable.

Calibration
Units are factory-calibrated before shipment. Recalibration is recommended every 12 months in a stable operating environment. If working conditions change (temperature, measurement environment), some modules require their zero point to be readjusted. Two methods are available:

• By the customer. Injection of a calibration gas or comparison with the reference equipment of a measuring station. The new correction factor is calculated using the manufacturer’s formula, then saved in the calibration interface of the AIRINS.ai platform.
• By return to the factory, for annual inspection and calibration. Free of charge during the warranty period, with shipping costs borne by the customer. Outside the warranty, it is invoiced according to the inspection results, with costs communicated for prior approval.

Service life
3 years on average, depending on how often the unit is used and the concentration levels encountered. This lifetime is shorter with frequent use in heavily polluted areas.

See also our methane detection solutions for oil and gas and our environmental monitoring solutions.

Planning a drone methane detection project? Drone Parts Center is an official AIRINS reseller for the Benelux and a DJI Enterprise Authorized Dealer.

Request a quote for the MetScan Nano 1D