User`s manual

Manual revision 016 Section 4: Deploying and Operating FastCAT SBE 49
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Acquiring Real-Time Data with Seasave
Instructions below are for a FastCAT used without a Sea-Bird Deck Unit.
If using the FastCAT with the SBE 33 or 36 Deck Unit, see the applicable
Deck Unit manual.
1. Start FastCAT sampling:
• If AutoRun=Y: Turn on power. FastCAT will start sampling and
transmitting data to the computer.
• If AutoRun=N: Turn on power. Run Seaterm, command the
FastCAT to start sampling (Start), click Seaterm’s Disconnect
button, and then close Seaterm.
Note that the data will not appear in Seasave until you tell Seasave to start
real-time data acquisition below.
2. Double click on Seasave.exe.
3. Perform any desired setup in the Configure Inputs, Configure Outputs,
and Display menus. .
4. In the Real-Time Data menu, select Start. The dialog box looks like this:
Note:
The baud rate between the FastCAT
and computer (defined in Configure
Inputs, on the Serial Ports tab) must
match the baud rate set in the
FastCAT with Baud=.
Configuration Options: Currently selected instrument configuration
(.xmlcon or .con) file is shown, containing information on calibration
coefficients for FastCAT’s sensors. To modify input configuration
(.xmlcon or .con file, serial ports, TCP/IP ports, and/or
miscellaneous), click Configure Inputs. To modify outputs (serial data
output, serial ports, shared file output, mark variables, TCP/IP output,
TCP/IP ports, SBE 14 remote display, PC alarms, header form,
and/or diagnostics), click Configure Outputs.
• Timeout in seconds at startup: Time allowed before first data
scan is received from FastCAT. Seasave will time out and stop
attempting to acquire data if data is not received from FastCAT
within this time period.
• Timeout in seconds between scans: Maximum gap allowed
between scans after first data scan is received from FastCAT.
Seasave will time out and stop attempting to acquire data if data is
not received from FastCAT within this time period (for example, if a
shark bites cable and interrupts data acquisition, Seasave stops
attempting to acquire data after this gap).
Data Archiving Options:
• Begin archiving data immediately to store raw (frequencies, A/D
counts, and/or voltages) real-time data as soon as Start button is
clicked and communication is established.
• Begin archiving data when ‘Start Archiving’ command is sent
to control when data begins to be written to file. This allows you to
eliminate scans associated with deploying CTD from ship deck and
soaking instrument near surface (alternatively, remove these scans
later in SBE Data Processing). If you make this selection, when
you click Start button and communication is established, a dialog
box with Start Archiving button appears. Click this button when
ready to begin saving scans to file, or select Start Archiving in
Real-Time Data menu.
• Do not archive data for this cast to not save data to a file. Real-
time data will still appear in displays.
Click Select Output Data File
Name. Save Archived Data As
dialog box appears; browse to
desired file location, enter desired
file name, and click Save.