ADCP Sentinel User Guide
ADCP Sentinel User Guide
ADCP Sentinel User Guide
Sentinel ADCP
User’s Guide
List of Figures
Figure 1. Sentinel ADCP Overview ................................................................................................ 5
Figure 2. Connecting and Disconnecting the I/O Cable.................................................................. 6
Figure 3. I/O Cable Overview ......................................................................................................... 6
Figure 4. Battery Pack Overview .................................................................................................... 7
Figure 5. Memory Card Overview................................................................................................... 8
Figure 6. WorkHorse Sentinel Connections.................................................................................. 11
Figure 7. External Battery Pack Connection................................................................................. 17
Figure 8. Compass Alignment ...................................................................................................... 22
Figure 9. Visual Inspection before Deployment ............................................................................ 25
Figure 10. Prepare the ADCP ........................................................................................................ 26
Figure 11. Using the Deployment Wizard ....................................................................................... 27
Figure 12. Plan the Deployment ..................................................................................................... 28
Figure 13. Deployment Wizard – Setting the Clock ........................................................................ 29
Figure 14. Deployment Wizard – Compass Verification.................................................................. 30
Figure 15. Deployment Wizard – Test the ADCP............................................................................ 31
Figure 16. Deployment Wizard – Send the Commands.................................................................. 32
Figure 17. Deploy and Recover the ADCP ..................................................................................... 33
Figure 18. Recover the Data .......................................................................................................... 34
Figure 19. Verify and View the Data ............................................................................................... 35
Figure 20. Erase the Recorder ....................................................................................................... 36
List of Tables
Table 1: WorkHorse Self-Contained Application Guide ................................................................. 2
Table 2: WorkHorse Real-Time Application Guide ........................................................................ 3
Table 3: WorkHorse Special Applications ..................................................................................... 3
Table 4: Spare Parts ..................................................................................................................... 8
Table 5: WorkHorse Software ..................................................................................................... 12
Table 6: WorkHorse DOS Utility Software ................................................................................... 14
Table 7: WorkHorse ADCP Tests ................................................................................................ 19
WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the RD Instruments (RDI) WorkHorse. This
guide is designed to help first time WorkHorse users to set up, test, and de-
ploy their ADCP.
This guide is designed for use with the other WorkHorse Technical Manual
books. Where needed, there are references to detailed information and fig-
ures contained in the WorkHorse Technical Manual.
WorkHorse Sentinel deployments are most often Self-Contained but can be
Real-Time. Typically, deployments are considered to be Self-Contained
when the ADCP is remotely deployed and powered using internal batteries.
In this configuration, no external connections to the ADCP are made during
the deployment. However, the ADCP can be connected to external power.
This power can be provide either by an external battery case or from shore.
This type of deployment is still considered Self-Contained, but this quick
reference guide may not consider all of the possibilities of this application.
Real-Time use refers to the fact you are viewing the data as the ADCP col-
lects it via a personal computer. This data is also stored on the computer to
allow for data playback and processing at a later time.
NOTE. When you receive your WorkHorse, look for a set up card that
shows all of the pieces you should have in your box. If anything is missing
or damaged, contact RDI immediately.
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
The WorkHorse Sentinel ADCP is also able to be used in real time applica-
tions that either take advantage of the internal battery power, or external
battery power, and can be used to collect data internally as well as exter-
nally. When considering real time applications, RDI offers you choices in
software packages that are intended to directly meet your needs. VmDas is
the most often used software package for ADCP setup, real-time data col-
lection, and data review. For detailed information on how to use VmDas,
see the VmDas User’s Guide.
3 System Overview
The Sentinel ADCP system consists of an ADCP, cables, battery pack, flash
memory card, and software. Both battery capacity and memory can be in-
creased with upgrades for longer deployments. The Sentinel can also be
used for direct-reading current profile operation. They only require the ad-
dition of a Windows® compatible computer to configure the ADCP and re-
play collected data.
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
PRESSURE SENSOR
(OPTIONAL)
URETHANE FACE
THERMISTOR
BEAM 3 MARK
TRANSDUCER
HEAD
HOUSING
INTERNAL BATTERY
PACK
MEMORY CARD
END-CAP
I/O CABLE
CONNECTOR
PIN 1
P1 J1 P2
PIN 9
P1 P2
2
1 3 RS-232 IN / RS-422 OUT A 1 BLK 3
2 WHT
RS-232 OUT / RS-422 OUT B
BLU 2
4 RS-422 IN A 5 BRN 9
RS-422 IN B 6 8
GRN
COMMUNICATION RETURN 4 5
5 7
6
RED J1
POWER + 3
YEL
POWER - 7
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
Batteries should be replaced when the voltage falls below 30 VDC (meas-
ured across the battery connector under no-load conditions).
NOTE. Battery replacement induces both single and double cycle
compass errors. The compass accuracy should be verified after replacing
the battery pack. The compass does not have to be recalibrated if the
compass verification passes specification.
These compass effects can be avoided by using an external battery pack.
The external battery housing holds two batteries, and can easily be
replaced on-site. If properly used, no compass calibration will be required.
It provides an option for extended ADCP deployments.
RUBBER BANDS
BATTERY
CABLE
INTERNAL
I/O CABLE
DESICCANT
RUBBER BAND
THREADED
ROD (4)
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
4 WorkHorse Care
This section contains a list of items you should be aware of every time you
handle, use, or deploy your WorkHorse. Please refer to this list often.
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
NOTE. When you first receive your WorkHorse, the battery is not installed.
You will need a container of water large enough to submerge the Work-
Horse’s transducer head into during testing (two to three inches of water is
sufficient). Testing the WorkHorse out of water may cause some tests to
fail but causes no harm to the WorkHorse.
POWER SUPPLY
24 VDC
COMPUTER
10 MB
MEMORY CARD
400 Wh BATTERY
(NOT CONNECTED)
marked on the board. If the serial protocol is set for RS422 and your com-
puter expects RS232, you will need an RS232-RS422 adapter between the
WorkHorse cable and your computer. This user’s guide assumes that you
use RS232. There is no reason to use RS422 for Self-Contained operation.
6 Software
RDI has utility programs to help you set up, use, test, and trouble-shoot
your WorkHorse ADCP. Each program has a help file that you can print, or
you can view help while running the program.
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
Raw Data files produced by WinSC have the following filename format:
DeployName000.nnn
Where:
DeployName is a user-entered name for the deployment (up to 128 char-
acters),
000 is the deployment number (changes with each stop/restart),
nnn is the recorder card number, which is incremented when
the recorder card is full (.000 = card one, .001 = card two)
7.1 AC Adapter
The AC Adapter runs on any standard AC power and supplies 24 VDC to
run the WorkHorse when the batteries are not connected. Substitute your
own power supply with a voltage of 45 to 60 VDC to override the 42 VDC
alkaline battery packs.
NOTE. The 24 VDC AC adapter does not override the battery voltage!
NOTE. If you collect data using the AC adapter, the profiling range is
reduced compared with standard battery voltage.
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
SENTINEL ADCP
EXTERNAL BATTERY PACK
MINIMUM 30 cm APART
TO COMPUTER/DUMMY PLUG
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
9 Compass Calibration
The main reason for compass calibration is battery replacement. Each new
battery carries a different magnetic signature. The compass calibration al-
gorithm corrects for the distortions caused by the battery to give you an ac-
curate measurement. You should be aware of the following items:
• We recommend against calibrating the WorkHorse while on a
ship. The ship’s motion and magnetic fields from the hull
and engine will likely prevent successful calibration.
• If you think your mounting fixture or frame has some mag-
netic field or magnetic permeability, calibrate the WorkHorse
inside the fixture. Depending on the strength and complexity
of the fixture’s field, the calibration procedure may be able to
correct it.
NOTE. If you will deploy your WorkHorse looking up, calibrate it looking
up. If you will deploy it looking down, calibrate it looking down.
Start the test with the AX-command and follow the instructions. Place the
ADCP in the same orientation as it will be deployed. The WorkHorse
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
can be vertical (it can rest on its end cap), or it can be tilted (it could rest on
a transducer face). Whatever its tilt, the tilt must remain constant as you
rotate the WorkHorse. When prompted, rotate the WorkHorse smoothly and
slowly. Pay particular attention to the Overall Error. For example;
HEADING ERROR ESTIMATE FOR THE CURRENT COMPASS CALIBRATION:
OVERALL ERROR:
Peak Double + Single Cycle Error (should be < 5(): ( 1.55(
DETAILED ERROR SUMMARY:
Single Cycle Error: ( 1.54(
Double Cycle Error: ( 0.07(
Largest Double plus Single Cycle Error: ( 1.61(
RMS of 3rd Order and Higher + Random Error: ( 0.31(
If the overall error is less than 5°, the compass does not require alignment.
You can align the compass to reduce the overall error even more (if
desired).
DOWNWARD DEPLOYMENT
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
CAUTION.
The pressure sensor is filled with silicone oil. Never poke a needle or other
object through the copper screw while the screw is installed over the
pressure sensor. You will perforate the sensor, causing it to fail.
Do not remove the cover disc or attempt to clean the surface of the
pressure sensor. The diaphragm is very thin and easy to damage.
Do not remove the pressure sensor. It is not field replaceable.
11 Deployment Guide
Use the following steps and the Quick Reference card to setup the Work-
Horse for a Self-Contained deployment.
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
TRANSDUCER HEAD
CHECK O-RINGS
AND MOUNTING
HARDWARE ARE
INSTALLED
HOUSING
CHECK FOR
CRACKS
ELECTRONICS AND
BATTERY PACKS
CHECK MEMORY CARD
AND BATTERIES ARE
INSTALLED
END-CAP
CHECK O-RINGS AND
MOUNTING HARDWARE
ARE INSTALLED
POWER SUPPLY
24 VDC
COMPUTER
10 MB
MEMORY CARD
400 Wh BATTERY
(NOT CONNECTED)
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
10 MB
RECORDER
(INSTALLED)
COMMAND FILE
*.WHP
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
DATA
*000.000
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
RAW DATA
WinSC rapidly scans each ensemble in your data files and checks them for
integrity and quality. Its primary purpose is to ensure that you have prop-
erly transferred the data to your computer, but it also does some simple er-
ror and problem checking. Keep in mind that WinSC does not check every
possible problem with your data.
NOTE. Check your data carefully and back it up before erasing the
WorkHorse’s data recorder.
WinADCP plays back data in a variety of formats (i.e. profiles, time series,
and color contour plots). To view the data using WinADCP, open the raw
data file.
To zoom in on the data, hold down the Space Bar and then click and hold
the Left mouse button to create a “rubber band” selection box. When the
mouse button is released, the selected portion of the Whole set is marked by
a blinking box outline. The blinking box outlines a set of data called the
Selected Set.
NOTE. The Whole Set or Sub Set form must be selected (the title bar
color is highlighted) before the space bar is pressed.
PC CARD
RECORDER
WinSC can be used to erase the data recorder inside the WorkHorse. When
instructed, WinSC erases all files in the recorder (be sure your data are
safely backed up!). If you read the PC Card by putting it into your com-
puter, you may delete the file(s) using the DOS delete command. Before
you can delete the file, you must use the DOS attribute command to reset
the read-only attribute.
12 Backing Up Data
Once you have recovered the data from your PC Card recorder, you should
get in the habit of backing up all data files. Here are several examples of
how to backup data.
• Use PKZIP to condense the files and store them on floppy disks.
PKZIP has the ability to store large files (span) onto several disks.
• Remove the original PC Card containing data and store it in a safe
place. Install another PC Card in its place.
• Backup your data to a CD-RW or other device.
• Download the data to another computer.
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
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WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
15 Technical Support
If you have technical problems with your instrument, contact our field ser-
vice group in any of the following ways:
RD Instruments RD Instruments Europe
9855 Businesspark Ave. 5 Avenue Hector Pintus
San Diego, California 92131 06610 La Gaude, France
(858) 693-1178 +33(0) 492-110-930
FAX (858) 695-1459 +33(0) 492-110-931
Sales - rdi@rdinstruments.com rdi@rdieurope.com
Field Service - rdifs@rdinstruments.com rdifs@rdieurope.com
Web: www.rdinstruments.com
NOTES
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