FastCAT CTD Sensor
SBE 49

Print version     Current manual (for older manuals, click here)     Reference Sheet     Configuration options & accessories

SUMMARY

• Conductivity, Temperature, and Pressure, at 16 Hz (16 samples/second).
• Pump-controlled, T-C ducted flow to minimize salinity spiking.
• RS-232 serial interface, no memory or batteries -- intended for use on vehicles that can supply power and acquire data.
• Unique flow path, pumping regimen, and (optional) expendable anti-foulant devices, for maximum bio-fouling protection.
• Depths to 250 meters (plastic housing) or 7000 meters (titanium housing).

DESCRIPTION

The SBE 49 FastCAT is an integrated CTD sensor intended for use as a modular component in towed vehicles, ROVs, AUVs, or other autonomous platforms that can supply DC power and acquire serial data. FastCAT’s pump-controlled / TC-ducted flow feature minimizes salinity spiking, and its 16 Hz sampling provides very high spatial resolution of oceanographic structures and gradients.

FastCAT’s temperature thermistor and conductivity cell are the same as used in our premium 911plus CTD system, while its pressure sensor (offered in eight full scale ranges from 20 to 7000 dbars) is the superior, micro-machined, silicon strain-gauge recently developed by Druck. Sophisticated interface circuitry provides very high resolution and accuracy.

FastCAT is an easy-to-use, light, and compact instrument ruggedly made of titanium and other low-maintenance (plastic) materials; it is well suited to even the smallest vehicle. There are straightforward commands for continuous (full rate or averaged) or single sample acquisition. EEPROM-stored calibration coefficients permit data output in ASCII engineering units (degrees C, Siemens/m, decibars, Salinity [PSU], and sound velocity [m/sec]), or the user can select raw data output if desired.

FastCAT must be externally powered, and its RS-232C data logged or telemetered by the vehicle to which it is mounted. As FastCAT does not support auxiliary sensors, where such sensors are required the user's vehicle must be equipped to acquire their signals independently.

FastCAT has two sampling modes:

• Autonomous sampling – FastCAT runs continuously, sampling at sixteen scans per second (16 Hz). It can be set to average up to 255 samples, transmitting only the averaged data. Programmable real-time processing (aligning, filtering, and correcting for conductivity cell thermal mass effects) provides high quality data for applications where post-processing is not feasible. FastCAT can be programmed to begin autonomous sampling when power is applied or on command.
• Polled sampling – On command, FastCAT takes one sample and transmits the data.

A standard FastCAT is supplied with:

• Titanium housing for depths to 7000 meters
• Strain-gauge pressure sensor
• Internal pump and T-C Duct
• XSG 4-pin I/O bulkhead connector

• Plastic housing for depths to 250 meters
• MCBH Micro connector in lieu of XSG
• Expendable anti-foulant devices

Power Requirements:
Input power 9-24 VDC
Turn-on transient 750 mA
Sampling and transmitting (includes pump)
   350 mA at 9V
   285 mA at 12V
   180 mA at 19V

Housing Material and Depth Rating:
Standard  3AL/2.5V Titanium, 7000 meters (22,900 feet)
Optional  Plastic, 250 meters (820 feet)

Weight:
Standard titanium housing
   In air  2.7 kg (6 lbs)
   In water  1.4 kg (3 lbs)
Optional plastic housing
   In air  1.8 kg (4 lbs)
   In water  0.5 kg (1 lb)

Connector (Standard XSG-4-BCL-HP-SS; optional MCBH-4MP (WB), TI [3/8 inch length base, 1/2-20 thread]):

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / LINKS:

Documentation -- manual, photos, technical papers, application notes, etc.

• Current product manual (for older manuals, click here)
• Photo Gallery
• Print version of this specification sheet / brochure
• Application Notes:
  - 2D: Instructions for Care and Cleaning of Conductivity Cells
  - 6: Determination of Sound Velocity from CTD Data
  - 10: Compressibility Compensation of Sea-Bird Conductivity Sensors
  - 14: 1978 Practical Salinity Scale
  - 27Druck: (Druck) Strain Gauge Pressure Sensor Error Sources
  - 34: Conductivity Cell Filling and Storage Device P/N 50087
  - 42: ITS-90 Temperature Scale
  - 67: Editing Sea-Bird .hex Data Files
  - 68: Using USB Ports to Communicate with Sea-Bird Instruments
  - 69: Conversion of Pressure to Depth
  - 71: Desiccant Use and Regeneration (drying)
  - 73: Using Instruments with Pressure Sensors at Elevations Above Sea Level
  - 84: Using Instruments with Druck Pressure Sensors in Muddy or Biologically Productive Environments
  - 90: Absolute Salinity and TEOS-10: Sea-Bird's Implementation Plans

Sales Information -- options, accessories, cables, mount kits, spares, etc.

• Configuration options & accessories:
  - Details for SBE 49
  - Listing for all products
• Cables
• Spare parts

Software -- components of Seasoft V2

• Seaterm -- description, download
• Seasave V7 -- description, download
• SBE Data Processing -- description, download

Links to Other Instruments of Interest

• SBE 14 Remote Depth Readout -- rugged, spray-proof display box suitable for mounting at winch operator's position
• SBE 32 Carousel Water Sampler with SBE 33 Deck Unit -- provides real-time control of water sampling as well as power for SBE 49
• SBE 55 ECO Water Sampler with SBE 33 Deck Unit -- provides real-time control of water sampling as well as power for SBE 49
• SBE 36 CTD Deck Unit and the Power and Data Interface Module (PDIM) -- provides external power and two-way real-time communication for SBE 49
• Other CTDs:
  - SBE 9plus -- premium CTD, fast sampling, can acquire data from auxiliary sensors
  - SBE 25 -- fast sampling, can acquire data from auxiliary sensors
  - SBE 19plus V2 -- small, economical CTD, can acquire data from auxiliary sensors
  - SBE 52-MP -- CTD for moored profiling applications
  - Glider Payload CTD (GPCTD) -- CTD for autonomous gliders

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Last modified: 11 Mar 2011

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