AML Oceanographic Micro-X Series User manual

MicroX
User Manual
Version 1.97
18 November 2015

Revision History
Revision
Date
Description
Author
Version 1.6
07 November 2012
Updated manual to include Turbidity•Xchange™and updated product
codes.
Erika Ladouceur
Version 1.61
06 December 2012
Updates.
Erika Ladouceur
Version 1.7
14 February 2013
Added NMEA-like output format
Dustin Olender
Version 1.8
10 June 2013
Format revision and updates
Jehan Zouak
Version 1.9
26 August 2013
Minor edits
Jehan Zouak
Version 1.91
07 October 2013
Corr’d NMEA; Added change units commands to appendix
Dustin Olender
Version 1.915
11 February 2014
Edited page 4
Jehan Zouak
Version 1.92
12 February 2014
Added UV•Xchange reference
Chris Bueley
Version 1.93
16 July 2014
Added Ordering Codes
Jehan Zouak
Version 1.94
14 November 2014
Updated current draw table
Quinton Calverley
Version 1.95
28 May 2015
Updated for SeaCast 4
Andrew Beak-Taylor
Version 1.96
22 June 2015
Updated technical specifications
Jehan Zouak
Version 1.97
18 November 2015
Updated overview drawing
Jehan Zouak

User Manual for AML Oceanographic’s MicroX
1
Table of Contents
General Description of the Instrument.............................................................................................. 2
Where Do I Start? ............................................................................................................................ 3
Shipping & Receiving ....................................................................................................................... 4
Receiving an Instrument .............................................................................................................. 4
Returning an Instrument to the Factory........................................................................................ 4
Using the Instrument........................................................................................................................ 5
Pressure Ratings ......................................................................................................................... 5
Pre-Deployment Procedures........................................................................................................ 5
Configuring Sampling Parameters using SeaCast....................................................................... 6
Configuring Sampling Parameters through the Terminal ............................................................. 6
Accounting for Atmospheric Pressure Variations at the Surface.................................................. 6
Monitoring Real Time Data .......................................................................................................... 7
Post-Deployment Procedures...................................................................................................... 7
Configuring the Instrument for Data on Power Up ....................................................................... 8
Disabling Data on Power Up........................................................................................................ 8
Maintaining the Instrument............................................................................................................... 9
Periodic Maintenance .................................................................................................................. 9
Communications .............................................................................................................................10
PC Settings.................................................................................................................................10
Output Formats...........................................................................................................................10
Default Output Format...........................................................................................................10
NMEA-like Output Format.....................................................................................................12
Example Outputs ..................................................................................................................13
Support ...........................................................................................................................................14
Troubleshooting..........................................................................................................................14
Contact AML Oceanographic......................................................................................................15
Appendices .....................................................................................................................................16
Commands .................................................................................................................................16
Communications Commands................................................................................................16
Sampling Rate Commands ...................................................................................................16
Output Format Commands....................................................................................................17
General Commands..............................................................................................................17
Technical Specifications .............................................................................................................18
Ordering Codes...............................................................................................................................21
Warranty .........................................................................................................................................22
Technical Overview Drawings.........................................................................................................23

User Manual for AML Oceanographic’s MicroX
2
General Description of the Instrument
The AML Oceanographic X•Series instruments and Xchange™ sensors are a major advancement
in ocean instrumentation. Swappable and interchangeable sensors dramatically improve the
capabilities of ocean instrumentation in the following ways:
Change the instrument sensor types while at sea within seconds, and without tools. A CTD
can be changed to a sound speed profiler by exchanging sensor heads.
To optimize the resolution and accuracy of sensor data, sensors can be swapped to
change the measurement range. For example, a 6000 dBar P•Xchange pressure sensor
can be swapped with a 500 dBar P•Xchange sensor; the salt water C•Xchange
conductivity sensor can be swapped for a fresh water C•Xchange conductivity sensor.
Sensors from one instrument can be swapped to another instrument to maintain mission-
critical capabilities.
Calibrated sensors can be sent from the factory to the instrument. The instrument is not
pulled from active duty for calibration.
Spare sensors ensure that an instrument can be immediately returned to active duty after
sustaining damage.
All calibration and traceability data resides within each Xchange™ sensor. Calibration data
for all sensors is available from the instrument, and calibration certificates can be printed
from AML Oceanographic SeaCast software when the instrument is connected.
Logged data is stamped with sensor traceability and instrument configuration data.
Only Xchange™ sensors are sent for calibration, leaving the instrument working in the
field.
Micro•X is the miniature, single-sensor, externally powered, data via cable instrument of the
X•Series family. It is designed primarily for sonar transducer array, and hull mounted applications.
Communications with the Micro•X are accomplished with RS-232 or RS-485. Sampling rates are
programmable by time (25 Hz to every 24 hours).
Micro•X is equipped with one Xchange™ sensor port. There are two options available for this port:
A primary Xchange™ sensor port (C•Xchange or SV•Xchange)
A secondary Xchange™ sensor port (T•Xchange, P•Xchange, Tu•Xchange, UV•Xchange)
A Micro•X with a primary Xchange™ sensor port cannot accept Xchange™ sensors designed for a
secondary port, and vice versa.

User Manual for AML Oceanographic’s MicroX
3
Where Do I Start?
AML Oceanographic’s X•Series instruments ship with several manuals on the USB stick:
An instrument manual (this Micro•X manual) providing an overview on how to use and
maintain the instrument;
A SeaCast manual providing instructions on how to use the software to configure the
instrument and review instrument data;
Xchange™ sensor manuals (C•Xchange, SV•Xchange, P•Xchange, T•Xchange,
Tu•Xchange, UV•XchangeT) providing overviews on how to install and maintain each of
the Xchange™ sensors;
If you are configuring an instrument for field use or lab testing, begin with the SeaCast manual.
If you are performing instrument maintenance, begin with the instrument manual.
If you are planning to swap an Xchange™ sensor, read the Xchange™ manual corresponding to
your sensors.
If you are planning to use Micro•X with UV•Xchange, refer to the UV•Xchange manual.