Carousel Auto Fire Module (AFM)

DESCRIPTION

The Carousel Auto-Fire Module (AFM) allows the Carousel Water Sampler (SBE 32, 32C, or 32SC) to operate autonomously on non-conducting cables. The AFM includes a microprocessor, solid-state memory, RS-232 interface, and battery power that supply the operating voltage, logic, and control commands to operate the Carousel.

When the Carousel is used without a CTD, the AFM is programmed to fire bottles at pre-defined intervals of elapsed time after receipt of the Arm command. The point at which samples are taken can be determined (approximately) by monitoring the length of cable paid out and the elapsed time. The AFM records bottle sequence and number, date and time, and firing confirmation for each bottle fired. At the end of a cast, the bottle data (.afm) file is uploaded from the AFM.

When the Carousel is used with a CTD (SBE 19, 19plus, or 19plus V2 SEACAT Profiler or SBE 25 SEALOGGER CTD) or SBE 50 Pressure Sensor, the AFM:

• Monitors the pressure data recorded by the CTD (or transmitted by the SBE 50) in real-time,
• Fires bottles at pre-defined pressures (depths), on upcast, downcast, or when the Carousel is stationary for a specified period of time, and
• Records bottle sequence and number, time, firing confirmation, and five scans of CTD or SBE 50 data in AFM memory for each bottle fired.

Setup, checkout, and data upload are performed (without opening the housing) with our SeatermAF terminal program. At the end of a cast, the CTD data is uploaded from the CTD (through the AFM) and the bottle data is uploaded from the AFM. SBE Data Processing’s Data Conversion module converts the raw data and creates a .cnv CTD data file and .ros bottle data file.

Firmware upgrades can be downloaded through the AFM's communications port by the user, without opening the housing.

The AFM has an anodized aluminum housing rated to 6800 meters (22,300 feet). Bulkhead connectors for the CTD, Carousel, and Data I/O (RS-232) are mounted on the housing end cap. The AFM is typically installed on the Carousel, using the same mounting bracket used to mount a SEACAT, and hangs vertically between the upper and lower adapter plates.

The AFM is powered by 9 alkaline D-size cells, which provide approximately 60 hours of operation. Optionally, the AFM can be powered by rechargeable NiMH or Ni-Cad batteries. Battery endurance is predominantly a function of the amount of time the AFM is powered and armed; the number of bottles fired has little impact.

SOFTWARE

The AFM is supplied with a powerful Win 2000/XP software package, SEASOFT^© V2, which includes:

• SeatermAF^© -- terminal program for easy communication and data retrieval.
• SBE Data Processing^© -- modules for calculation, display, and plotting of temperature, conductivity, pressure, auxiliary sensor data, and derived variables such as salinity and sound velocity.

SPECIFICATIONS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / LINKS:

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

• Current product manual (for older manuals, click here)
• Print version of this specification sheet / brochure
• Application Notes:
  - 71: Desiccant Use and Regeneration (drying)

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

• Configuration options & accessories:
  - Details for AFM with SBE 32 (full size), 32C (compact), & 32SC (sub-compact) Carousel
  - Listing for all products
• Cables
• Mount kits

• Spare parts

Software -- components of Seasoft V2

• SeatermV2 -- description, download
• Seaterm -- description, download
• SeatermAF -- description, download
• Seasave V7 -- description, download
• SBE Data Processing -- description, download

Links to Other Instruments of Interest

• SBE 32 Carousel Water Sampler
• CTDs / Pressure Sensors compatible with AFM:
  - SBE 25 -- fast sampling CTD, can acquire data from auxiliary sensors
  - SBE 19plus V2 -- small, economical CTD, can acquire data from auxiliary sensors
  - SBE 50 Pressure Sensor

Last modified: 23-Feb-2011