Brochure/specifications in pdf format Manual Reference Sheet Configuration
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, Inc. 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.
SAMPLING MODES
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.
CONFIGURATION
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
FastCAT options include:
Plastic housing for depths to 250 meters
MCBH Micro connector in lieu of XSG
Expendable anti-foulant devices
SOFTWARE
FastCAT is supplied with a powerful Win 2000/XP software package, SEASOFT©-Win32. SEASOFT's modular programs include:
SEATERM© — terminal program for instrument setup and data display
SEASAVE© — real-time data acquisition and display
SBE Data Processing© — filtering, aligning, averaging, and plotting of CTD data and derived variables
SPECIFICATIONS
| Measurement Range | Initial Accuracy | Typical Stability (per month) |
Resolution | Calibration | |
| Conductivity (S/m) |
0 - 9 | 0.0003 | 0.0003 | 0.00005 (oceanic waters;
resolves 0.4 ppm in salinity)
0.00007 (high salinity waters; resolves 0.4 ppm in salinity) 0.00001 (fresh waters; resolves 0.1 ppm in salinity) |
0 to 9 S/m;
physical calibration over 2.6 to 6 S/m, plus zero conductivity (air) |
| Temperature (°C) |
-5 to +35 | 0.002 | 0.0002 | 0.0001 | +1 to +32 |
| Pressure | 0 to 20 / 100 / 350 / 600 / 1000 / 2000 / 3500 / 7000 meters | 0.1% of full scale range | 0.004% of full scale range | 0.002% of full scale range | Ambient to full scale range in 5 steps |
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.
Sales Information -- options, accessories, spares, cables, mount kits, etc.
Links to Other Instruments of Interest
Last modified: 06 Apr 2007
Sea-Bird Home Phone: 425-643-9866 Fax: 425-643-9954 E-mail: seabird@seabird.com