|
Very Basic
The needed components of a particular Acrobat system depend on the type of
research and the environment in which it is to be used. If a collision with the bottom typography is non-existent
than the Acrobat can be operated with a minimum of hardware. The Acrobat can be controlled manually while relying
on the user owned instrumentation to provide data on depth (i.e. CTD) and position. No computer is required for
the Acrobat.
Needed are:
- the tow body with motor module and T-cable connection
- hand controller to operate the Acrobat manually
- connecting cable from tow body to boat
- cable terminations
- cable rope-clutch-system if winch not
feasible
- limit user instrumentation size and number to that which can be directly fitted
to the Acrobat without the optional instrument rack
Intermediate
If a potential impact with the bottom typography is a possibility then the
track of the Acrobat must be observed in real-time. This requires a computer, the Acrobat control software, bottom
depth and GPS data.
The intermediate Acrobat configuration consists of:
- the tow body with motor module and T-cable connection
- hand controller to operate the Acrobat manually and override computer control
- connecting cable from tow body to boat
- cable terminations
- winch (manual) and/or cable rope-clutch-system
- control software
- computer with USB port(s) and serial
to USB converter
- GPS generating NMEA 0183 data
- Fathometer generating NMEA 0183 depth data and
an extra com port available in the computer or multiplexed with GPS data
- limit user instrumentation size and number to that which can be directly fitted
to the Acrobat without the optional instrument rack
Premium
The premium Acrobat configuration consists of:
- The tow body with motor module and T-cable connection
- Hand controller to operate the Acrobat manually and override computer control
- Connecting cable from tow body to boat
- Cable terminations
- Cable rope-clutch-system
- Control Command Module with active screen display, LTV software installed,
all cable connections made except power and sea cable connection plug in, and protected against shock and water
damage in a field case
- GPS generating NMEA 0183 data
- Fathometer generating NMEA 0183 depth data and
an extra com port available in the computer or multiplexed with GPS data
- Extend user instrumentation size and number fitted to the Acrobat with the
universal instrument rack. The rack can be removed and used separately if vertical profiling is desired
- Winch (electric) with slip rings and connector
Options
If the intention is to load a large number
of instruments on the Acrobat and the availability of tow cable conductors
will exceed the allotted 6 then an optional Ethernet system is available
from Sea Sciences. A full description is provided in the pdf section
of this web site. GPS
& Depth sounder multiplexer. For those customers who always use
the same boat with dedicated GPS and depth instrumentation, Sea Sciences can
provide a multiplexer to combine the NMEA 0183 outputs to one RS232 computer
input. Power
Supply. Sea Sciences can provide a custom, portable DC power supply
which will run an average system, including laptop computers, for a full day
of sampling. Locator.
Sea Sciences is developing new products. One of these products is a
transponder which can be used to recover any lost tow systems. The
transponder system is designed specifically for the shallow water
environment. We will keep you posted regarding availability.
| 