System Operation Manual
SAT-DN-00434, Rev. B
LOBO
2017-05-16
Page 25 of 86
Copyright
2017 Sea-Bird Scientific. All rights reserved.
Figure 11: ISUS/WQM plumbing
The default ISUS telemetry format is comma-delimited ASCII data. This is not the most efficient telemetry
format, but is user-friendly. When used in the LOBO system, the ISUS is normally configured to output data
in a fixed-length binary format. This reduces the amount of data by a factor of 2
–
3x; this results in a
significantly smaller data file that must be emailed, with corresponding decrease in overall power
consumption. This is particularly important in LOBO systems that use an alkaline battery pack in order to
extend the battery life as long as possible.
If an ISUS-X sensor is used, the user has the option of integrating additional sensors in to the system. As
stated above, the ISUS-X will accept up to 2 analog voltages and up to 4 RS-232 serial outputs. In this
configuration, the ISUS-X merges the ancillary sensor data into a single serial stream, thereby only using a
single port on the STOR-X. There are restrictions, however, as the STOR-X currently only understands how
to capture a single
telemetry “type” on a port. If the sensor outputs
linefeed terminated ASCII data (not
raw binary), then generally it will work, although high data rates and/or very large data frames could be
problematic. The telemetry from the ISUS-X must also be in ASCII format. There is a corresponding negative
impact on battery life due to the larger file sizes that must be transmitted. Please consult with Sea-Bird
Scientific prior to attempting this approach, as there are changes that have to be made to the settings for
the ISUS-X and STOR-X. Examples of sensors that have been successfully integrated in this manner are:
•
WET Labs ECO series (e.g. ECO-FLNTUS, ECO-CDS)
•
Sea-Bird SBE-37SIP
•
Aanderaa Oxygen Optode
In addition, the STOR-X must be instructed during port configuration that the instrument attached is an
ISUS/ISUS-X. This instructs the STOR-
X to send a “stop” command to the ISUS/ISUS
-X prior to power
removal. This stop command instructs the ISUS/ISUS-X to turn off the lamp and prepare for shutdown, but
more importantly it is necessary as it instructs the ISUS-X to prepare its sensor ports for shutdown, allowing
it to send “stop” commands to attached instruments that require them prior to power removal. For
example, the WET Labs ECO sensors requires a stop command to close the shutter.
Copper tube (exhaust)
Flow cell
Black Tygon tubing
WQM exhaust
WQM intake
