The Mars Soiling Sensor firmware is updated periodically for new features and improvements. Release notes for the most recent versions are shown below.


Note that firmware 500079 supports Mars part numbers 810230-20, 810230-01, and 810230. Firmware 500083 supports Mars part number 810230-10 only.


To download the latest firmware version, see Mars Firmware Update.


Version 6708, March 2024

  • Fixed a bug that could cause the unit to stop working when an internal file is corrupted
  • Improved Wi-Fi password setup interface
  • Miscellaneous bug fixes and improvements


Version 6545, August 2023

  • Added capability for user configuration by Wi-Fi
  • Applies only to hardware version 810230-20 HW Rev 01 (810230-20-01)
  • This release is not user-installable


Version 6519, July 2023

  • Fixed an issue that could cause the unit to stop working when data logs grow too large
  • Fixed an issue that could cause the unit to stop working when internal LED components age
  • Added a feature to support integration with RDE300i
  • Added a user confirmation step before changing subnet mask


Version 6081, December 2022

  • Fixed an issue that could cause the unit to stop performing analyses and/or go to an error state, especially for units shipped after September 2021.


Version 5539, November 2021

  • This release of firmware 500083 supports Mars units with part number 810230-10 only.
  • All previous releases are for firmware 500079 for all other Mars part numbers.


Version 5501, October 2021

  • Fixed an issue that could cause the unit to stop performing analyses, requiring a reboot
  • Fixed an issue that could cause the unit to not respond at its programmed IP address if booted without the Ethernet cable connected


Version R5430, August 2021

  • Fixed an issue that could cause the IP address to appear blank on the user interface
  • Other Bug fixes and improvements


Version R5381, July 2021

  • Added a feature that allows Mars to operate automatically without the user having to set location or maintain the clock. Dependence on Latitude, Longitude, and Clock time have been eliminated.
  • New units arriving from the factory will read transmission loss ~0, instead of NAN.
  • Other bug fixes and improvements


Version R5124, May 2021

  • Modbus RTU now supports 1s scan rate
  • Shortened timeout requirement on Modbus RTU to 500ms, delay between polls to 30ms


Version R5073, March 2021

  • Added a help message to the web interface for common setup issues.
  • Added a feature that reduces fluctuations in daily measurements.
  • Eliminated 4800 baud rate.


Version R4644, January 2021

  • Fixed an issue that prevented operation with some serial data formats in Modbus RTU.


Version R4629, September 2020

  • Bug fixes and improvements.


Version R4605, July 2020

  • Fixed an issue affecting some units with serial number >15020.
  • Bug fixes and improvements.


Version R4483, November 2019

  • Bug fixes and improvements.


Version R4467, September 2019

  • Added a feature to detect clock errors.
  • Bug fixes and improvements.


Version R4395, July 2019

  • Fixed an issue that could make unit unresponsive after power interruptions.
  • Added support for Network Time Protocol (NTP) synchronization of clock.
  • Added support for baud rate 38400 in Modbus RTU.
  • Bug fixes and improvements.


Version R4363, February 2019

  • Improved the software installer.
  • Added ability for user configuration of IP gateway and subnet.
  • Bug fixes and improvements.