Sea-Bird Scientific SBE 11plus V2 User manual

User manual
SBE 11plus V2
Deck Unit for use with SBE 9plus
Document No. SBE11plusV2
Release Date: 2023-04-13
Version: A
Software: Seasoft V2
425-643-9866
seabird.com

Table of Contents
Section 1 Safety information............................................................................................................ 3
1.1 Hazard information....................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Equipment labels..........................................................................................................................3
Section 2 Specifications.................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Deck Unit specifications.............................................................................................................. 5
2.2 Cable descriptions........................................................................................................................5
Section 3 Description of SBE 911plus........................................................................................... 7
3.1 Deck Unit front panel....................................................................................................................8
3.2 Deck Unit back panel................................................................................................................. 10
3.3 System communications............................................................................................................ 10
Section 4 Connect cables on SBE 11plus system.................................................................... 13
4.1 Cable, winch, deck gear............................................................................................................. 13
4.2 Connect system components..................................................................................................... 13
Section 5 Set up and configure system....................................................................................... 15
5.1 Seaterm commands................................................................................................................... 15
5.2 Set up and configure CTD .........................................................................................................17
5.3 Set up and configure NMEA.......................................................................................................17
5.3.1 Test NMEA in Seasave..................................................................................................... 18
5.3.2 NMEA interface commands...............................................................................................19
5.3.3 NMEA message format..................................................................................................... 20
5.4 Set up and configure Surface PAR in Seaterm.......................................................................... 21
5.4.1 Surface PAR commands................................................................................................... 21
5.4.2 Set up and configure PAR in Seasave.............................................................................. 22
5.5 Set up and configure remote output........................................................................................... 22
5.5.1 Set up and configure pressure frequency and pressure temperature............................... 22
5.5.1.1 Pressure frequency and pressure temperature command....................................... 22
5.5.1.2 Pressure frequency and pressure temperature data format..................................... 22
5.5.2 Set up and configure Converted Data Output (CDO)........................................................ 22
5.5.2.1 CDO status commands............................................................................................ 24
5.5.2.2 CDO coefficients commands.................................................................................... 24
5.5.2.3 CDO general setup commands................................................................................ 26
5.5.2.4 CDO diagnostic command....................................................................................... 26
5.5.2.5 CDO alarm commands............................................................................................. 27
5.6 Set up water sampler................................................................................................................. 27
5.6.1 Set up Deck Unit receiver and modem dip switches......................................................... 27
5.6.2 Set up water sampler in Seasave......................................................................................28
5.7 Set up RS232 data uplink.......................................................................................................... 29
5.7.1 Serial data sensor requirements....................................................................................... 30
5.7.2 SBE 9plus CTD requirements........................................................................................... 30
5.7.3 SBE 11plus Deck Unit requirements................................................................................. 30
5.7.4 SBE 911 system limits.......................................................................................................31
Section 6 System operation............................................................................................................33
6.1 Collect real-time data and fire bottles from Seasave................................................................. 33
6.2 Fire bottles from Deck Unit......................................................................................................... 34
6.2.1 SBE 32 carousel................................................................................................................34
6.2.2 G.O. 1015 rosette.............................................................................................................. 35
6.2.3 G.O. 1016 rosette.............................................................................................................. 35
6.3 Control pump manually.............................................................................................................. 35
6.4 Process data.............................................................................................................................. 36
Section 7 Data formats.....................................................................................................................37
1

7.1 Deck Unit LED display format.................................................................................................... 37
7.2 Raw data format......................................................................................................................... 38
7.2.1 IEEE488 data format......................................................................................................... 38
7.2.2 RS232 data format............................................................................................................ 40
7.2.3 NMEA data format............................................................................................................. 40
7.2.4 Pressure frequency and pressure temperature data format..............................................41
7.2.5 Converted data output data format....................................................................................41
7.3 Calculate engineering units in Seasave..................................................................................... 42
7.4 Calculate engineering units in Data Processing software.......................................................... 42
Section 8 Troubleshooting..............................................................................................................43
8.1 Cannot see data in Seasave...................................................................................................... 43
8.2 Deck Unit does not operate........................................................................................................43
8.3 Deck Unit overflow light is on..................................................................................................... 43
8.4 Cannot communicate with CTD................................................................................................. 44
8.5 Data LED does not turn on.........................................................................................................44
8.6 RS232 does not work................................................................................................................. 45
8.7 IEEE488 does not work..............................................................................................................45
8.8 Modem channel does not work.................................................................................................. 45
8.9 Error message: unsupported modem......................................................................................... 46
8.10 Scan length error in Data Processing...................................................................................... 46
8.11 NMEA Interface does not work................................................................................................ 46
8.11.1 NMEA message simulation program............................................................................... 46
Section 9 Command summary....................................................................................................... 49
9.1 Commands sent automatically by Seasave............................................................................... 51
Section 10 General information..................................................................................................... 55
10.1 Warranty...................................................................................................................................55
10.2 Service and support................................................................................................................. 55
10.3 China RoHS disclosure table................................................................................................... 55
10.4 Spare parts and accessories....................................................................................................56
Table of Contents
2

Section 1 Safety information
Please read this entire manual before this equipment is unpacked, set up, or operated.
Pay attention to all danger, warning, and caution statements. Failure to do so could result
in serious injury to the operator or damage to the equipment.
DANGER
Indicates a potentially or imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death
or serious injury.
WARNING
Indicates a potentially or imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury.
CAUTION
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that may result in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE
Indicates a situation which, if not avoided, may cause damage to equipment. Information that
requires special emphasis.
1.1 Hazard information
DANGER
Life-threatening voltages of over 250 VDC are on the sea cable and the Deck Unit when it is on,
and will persist for up to 1 minute after it is turned off.
DANGER
Make a separate ground connection between the Deck Unit and an isolated power ground.
Connect the separate ground wire from the hull of the ship to the protected ground terminal on the
back of the Deck Unit. Use a minimum of 20 AWG wire and a ring terminal.
NOTICE
The manufacturer is not responsible for any damages due to misapplication of misuse of this
product including, without limitation, direct, incidental and consequential damages, and disclaims
such damages to the full extent permitted under applicable law. The user is solely responsible to
identify critical application risks and install appropriate mechanisms to protect process during a
possible equipment malfunction.
1.2 Equipment labels
Read all labels and tags attached to the equipment. Personal injury or damage to the
equipment could occur if not observed. A symbol on the equipment is referenced in the
manual with a precautionary statement.
Electrical equipment marked with this symbol may not be disposed of in European domestic or public disposal
systems. Return old or end-of-life equipment to the manufacturer at no charge to the user.
3

EFUP: Hazardous material exists over the threshold of GB/T 26572.2011. The number in the center of
the symbol is the Environmentally Friendly Use Period as specified by SJ/T 11364-2014, China's
marking for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products.
This product should be recycled after its environmentally friendly use period.
Safety information
4

Section 2 Specifications
2.1 Deck Unit specifications
Power requirements 120 VAC at 60 Hz, 1.75 A or
240 VAC at 50 Hz 1 A switchable
Sea cable compatibility Single- or multi-core armored cable to 10000 m long with inner core resistance of up to 350 ohms
Dimensions 14.3 cm tall, 37.5 cm deep, 44.4 cm wide cabinet.
48.3 cm edge-to-edge for mounting brackets (distance centerline to centerline of mounting holes
46.4 cm)
Operation environment • indoor use
• altitude max: 2000 m
• 5 °C to 40 °C
• relative humidity max 80% (non-condensing)
• Mains supply voltage: ±10%
2.2 Cable descriptions
DB-9 to DB-9 null modem cable, serial data uplink
Deck Unit Function
Pin 3 TX to PC
Pin 5 Common
2-contact to DB9: NMEA input connector on SBE 11 to PC.
Deck Unit Function
Pin A NMEA signal A
Pin B NMEA signal return B
5-contact to DB9 test cable: remote out connector on SBE 11 to PC
5

Deck Unit Function
Pin A Ground
Pin B CDO RS232 RX
Pin C CDO RS232 TX
Pin D Raw pressure RS232 TX
Pin E Power, +12 VDC
5-contact to 4-contact: SBE 11 to surface PAR sensor
Deck Unit Function Surface PAR
Pin A Signal ground Pin 3
Pin B Power, +12V Pin 4
Pin C Power ground*Pin 1
Pin D Signal Pin 2
— — Pin 5
* Deck Units with digital PCB assembly 40937C or greater, use pin C.
Specifications
6

Section 3 Description of SBE 911plus
The SBE 11plus V2 is the Deck Unit used with the SBE 9plus CTD for real-time data
collection. The 11plus and 9plus can also be used with the 17plus V2 Searam for in-situ
data collection.
The Deck Unit supplies DC power to and processes the serial data from the CTD. The
Deck Unit uses the RS488 or RS232 standard to transmit the data to a PC. The user can
select 120 or 240 VAC at 50/60 Hz for continuous operation that shows on the front
panel.
The 11plus Deck Unit functions include—
• A 300 baud modem interface for power and real-time control of a SBE 32 Carousel or
G.O. 1010 or 1016 Rosette water sampler or remote serial output device. The modem
controls the water sampler through the Deck Unit or the Seasave software. Bottles
can be fired in sequence or, for SBE 32 and G.O. 1016, in any order. The interface
must be installed in the Deck Unit and CTD.
• An NMEA interface that merges position data and CTD data. The latitude and
longitude output from navigation devices that support the NMEA 0183 standard is
decoded and appended to the CTD data in the Deck Unit, then transmitted to a PC.
• A/D converter for a surface PAR sensor. The Deck Unit supplies 12 V to the sensor,
and merges data from the PAR and CTD.
• Tape recorder to record the digital data on a cassette recorder or VCR.
• Two remote output options:
• The Deck Unit transmits pressure frequency and pressure temperature 24 times
per second, and can be used to control a towed vehicle.
• Any combination of temperature, conductivity, pressure, depth, salinity, sound
velocity, and altimeter height, in engineering units.
• An audible alarm, based on data from an optional bottom contact switch connected to
the CTD. Data from an altimeter connected to the CTD can also be used.
• An optional RS232 serial data interface that transmits data from a remote device
connected to the CTD. The 300 baud modem must be installed to use this interface.
• Seasoft V2 software, which includes:
• Seaterm, a terminal program to set up the system.
• Seasave V7, to collect, convert, and show real-time or stored raw data.
• SBE Data Processing, to calculate and make plots of conductivity, temperature,
pressure, data from auxiliary sensors, and derived measurements such as sound
velocity and salinity.
7

Figure 1 Schematic of 911plus system with water sampler
3.1 Deck Unit front panel
1. Power—turns power to the Deck Unit on or off.
2. Word Select—thumbwheel switch to select any sensor channel data buffer status, or
other diagnostics in the Word Display.
3. Word Display—LED display that shows data words such as uncorrected frequencies,
A/D voltages and data buffer status.
4. NMEA—LED display that flashes each time an NMEA message is correctly decoded.
5. Overflow—LED display that turns on when the output buffer has overfilled because
the PC did not take data from the Deck Unit fast enough. When this occurs, some
data is lost and cannot be retrieved. The LED stays on until the Reset button is
pushed or a "reset" command is received.
6. Receive—LED flashes when the Deck Unit receives characters from the PC.
7. Transmit—LED flashes when the Deck Unit transmits data to the PC.
8. Error—LED flashes when data from the CTD is incorrect, for example, the modulo
count shows a skipped scan.
9. Data—LED stays on when data is received by the Deck Unit.
• In general, if the Data LED is on and the Error LED is off, the CTD and telemetry
link function correctly.
10. Alarm—Buzzer that comes on based on alarm logic for the bottom contact switch.
Description of SBE 911plus
8

11. SBE or G.O.—LED stays on to show which water sampler is controlled by SW1 on
the Deck Unit or Modem.
12. Home/Arm—Push-button LED. Operation varies for type of water sampler.
13. Fire—Push-button LED. Operation varies with the type of water sampler.
SBE 32 Carousel
• The Home/Arm button resets the Carousel so it will close the bottle at position
#1 the next time the Fire button is pushed. When the Deck Unit receives
confirmation from the Carousel, the Home/Arm LED comes on and stays on until
you fire the first bottle.
• The Fire button causes the Carousel to fire and closes the next position bottle.
When the Deck Unit receives confirmation from the Carousel, the Fire LED
comes on and stays on until the next time you push Fire or Home/Arm.
• When the Carousel is fired from the software, the Fire LED comes on for
5 seconds after the Deck Unit receives confirmation from the Carousel.
G.O. 1015 Rosette
• The Home/Arm button turns on the Rosette. The LED comes on 15 seconds
later, when the Deck Unit receives confirmation from the Rosette that the pylon is
turned on and is ready to fire. The Home/Arm LED stays on until you push the
Fire button. You must turn on the power to the Rosette each time you fire a
bottle.
• The Fire button causes the Rosette to fire and closes the next bottle. When the
Deck Unit receives confirmation from the Rosette, the Fire LED comes on and
stays on until the next time you push Home/Arm. The Fire button is active only
when the Home/Arm LED is on.
• When the Rosette is fired from the software, the Fire LED comes on for
5 seconds after the Deck Unit receives confirmation from the Rosette.
G.O. 1016 Rosette
• The Home/Arm button resets the Rosette and causes the arm to move to the
Home position, ready to fire bottle #1 with an offset specified by SW1 on the
Deck Unit Receiver/Modem. When the Deck Unit receives confirmation from the
Rosette that the pylon is turned on and is ready to fire. The Home/Arm LED
comes on and stays on until you fire the first bottle.
• The Fire button causes the Rosette to fire and closes the next bottle. When the
Deck Unit receives confirmation from the Rosette, the Fire LED comes on and
stays on until the next time you push Home/Arm.
• When the Rosette is fired from the software, the Fire LED comes on for
5 seconds after the Deck Unit receives confirmation from the Rosette.
14. Carrier—LED comes on and stays on when the Deck Unit modem receives a signal
from the CTD modem. This applies to communication with water sampler or remote
serial sensor.
15. Reset—Push this button to reset the system: the output buffers are erased and input
stops until instructions are received from the PC. Always push Reset before a CTD
cast. If the system is not reset, old data from a previous cast may be the first
transmitted to the PC. The Seasave software does this reset automatically before
each cast.
16. Signal Source—Put this switch in "Fish" position to get data from the CTD. Put the
switch in "Tape" position to hear data stored to an audio recorder.
Description of SBE 911plus
9

3.2 Deck Unit back panel
1. AC Voltage—Selector switch for 120 VAC at 50 Hz or 240 VAC at 60 Hz.
2. AC Input—Plug for power to Deck Unit.
3. Fuse—5 x 20 mm, 250 VAC Slow-blow; 2 amp for 120 V, 1 amp for 240 V.
4. SBE 11 Interface—Channel between the Deck Unit and the PC. Communicates with
the CTD. Note: Seaterm software works with RS232 only.
5. Tape Recorder—Connects to an audio tape recorder or VCR. Connect the tape
recorder's "Line In" to the Deck Unit "Record," and "Line Out" to "Play." The two jacks
on the Deck Unit are internally connected in parallel, so there is a redundant
connection to a typical recorder's stereo channels: recordings are error-free even if
the second channel is used for voice annotation.
6. Serial Data Uplink—Gives RS232 output from the Deck Unit for an RS232 sensor
connected to the CTD. A modem channel and jumper changes are required. If the
jumpers are set for this function, data output cannot occur through the Tape
Recorder.
7. Modem Channel—An RS232 connection between the Deck Unit and PC used to
communicate with a water sampler.
8. Sea Cable—Connects to CTD. The fuse is 3AG, 300 VDC Fast-acting 0.5 A. Only
replace with Littelfuse Corp. 312.500.
9. Remote Out—There are two outputs:
a. Pressure frequency and pressure temperature, to control a towed vehicle.
b. Any combination of temperature, conductivity, pressure, depth, salinity, sound
velocity, and altimeter height. The output is in engineering units.
10. NMEA Input—Connects to an NMEA 0183 navigation device that can be connected
to either the Deck Unit or the PC.
11. Surface PAR Input—Connects to a Surface PAR sensor.
3.3 System communications
This is a graphical summary of the communication for a 911plus system. Note that an
NMEA device can be connected directly to a PC in the Seasave V7 version 7.17 and
newer.
Description of SBE 911plus
10

Description of SBE 911plus
11

Description of SBE 911plus
12

Section 4 Connect cables on SBE 11plus system
DANGER
Life-threatening voltages of over 250 VDC are on the sea cable and the Deck Unit when it is on,
and will persist for up to 1 minute after it is turned off.
DANGER
Make a separate ground connection between the Deck Unit and an isolated power ground.
Connect the separate ground wire from the hull of the ship to the protected ground terminal on the
back of the Deck Unit. Use a minimum of 20 AWG wire and a ring terminal.
4.1 Cable, winch, deck gear
The manufacturer of the Deck Unit does not supply winches and deck gear and does not
have recommendations for a block or A-frame.
Cable
Only one conductor is required for the armored cable, because the armor is used as a
ground. The total two-way resistance should be less than 350 ohms. The mechanical
requirements are affected by the properties of the winch and the weight of the system to
be lifted.
Winch
The winch should have a level-wind device that is adjustable or designed to lay the
correct number of wraps across the drum. The cable diameter and the drum width
determine this value. The winch must have a slip-ring, (a contact that rotates) assembly
(at least two channels). The cable must have a break strength of at least 5 to 7 times the
maximum load. The user must make the mechanical and electrical cable terminations at
the underwater end.
4.2 Connect system components
The manufacturer supplies metal tabs ("ears") to attach the Deck Unit to a standard 19-
inch electronic bay. Make sure that the cooling fan and the vent are not blocked.
On a ship, cables longer than 3 m should be installed inside a grounded metal conduit by
a qualified electrician. This decreases the possibility of external signals to disrupt
communication and protects high voltage lines such as the sea cable.
CTD to Deck Unit
Terminate the sea cable leads from the winch slip rings with the manufacturer-supplied
MS3106A12S-3P connector. Connect the inner conductor of the cable (positive), to pin B
and the cable armor (negative) to Pin A. Connect the sea cable connector on the back
panel of the Deck Unit. The other end of the sea cable connects to JT1 on the CTD.
PC to Deck Unit
Communication between the PC and the Deck Unit is in two channels. The SBE
11 interface channel (RS232 or IEEE488) sends commands to and receives replies from
the CTD. The modem channel sends commands to and receives replies from the water
sampler or remote serial sensor, through the CTD. Connect the manufacturer-supplied
interface and modem cables on the back panel of the deck unit.
NMEA navigation device to Deck Unit
Connect the NMEA navigation device to the NMEA input connector on the back panel of
the Deck Unit with the manufacturer-supplied MS3106A 12S-3S connector. A navigation
device can be connected directly to a PC as an alternative.
Surface PAR sensor to Deck Unit
13

Connect the Surface PAR sensor to the Surface PAR Input connector on the back panel
of the Deck Unit. The manufacturer supplies an MS3106A14S-2P connector if there is no
cable.
Remote Unit to Deck Unit
Connect to the Remote Out connector on the back panel of the Deck Unit. There are two
real-time options:
• Raw pressure—Pressure frequency and pressure temperature, transmitted
24 times/second, to be used to control a towed vehicle.
• Converted data out—any combination of temperature, conductivity, pressure, depth,
salinity, sound velocity, altimeter height, in engineering units. The manufacturer
supplies a MS3106A14S-5P connector if there is no cable. Some of these parameters
will show on the display of a SBE 14 or SBE 46.
Serial Data Uplink to Deck Unit
Connect a PC to the Serial Data Uplink DB9 connector on the back panel of the Deck
Unit with the manufacturer-supplied cable.
CTD to auxiliary sensors
Refer to the 9plus CTD user manual for details about the connections to auxiliary
sensors.
CTD to water sampler
• SBE 32 Carousel: connect from the JT7 connector on the CTD to the 6-contact
connector at the bottom of the Carousel pressure housing.
• G.O. 1015 Rosette: connect from the JT4 connector on the CTD to the Rosette. The
polarity is usually set to "reverse" (cable P/N 17196). Cable P/N 17533 is "normal."
Make sure that the polarity setting on the G.O. 1015 is the same as the polarity of the
cable. Refer to Application Note 35 for details.
• G.O. 1016 Rosette: Connect from the JT7 connector on the CTD to the Rosette.
Power to Deck Unit
NOTICE
Do not connect a Deck Unit set for 120 V to a 240 V power supply. It will cause severe damage to
the Deck Unit.
Verify that the Deck Unit back panel power selector switch is in the correct position for the
mains power source, either 120 or 240 VAC. Connect power to the AC Input connector on
the back panel of the Deck Unit with the manufacturer-supplied cable.
Connect cables on SBE 11plus system
14

Section 5 Set up and configure system
Seasoft V2 software has several components: Seaterm, a terminal launcher; Seasave V7,
for real-time data collection; and SBE Data Processing, to process the collected data.
1. Double-click on SeasoftV2.exe to install the manufacturer-supplied software on the
PC.
2. Connect either the RS232, the Remote Out, the Serial Data Uplink, or the Modem
Channel to the PC. Note that the IEEE488 interface does not work with Seaterm. Use
RS232 to set up sensors in Seaterm.
3. Double-click on Seaterm.exe. If this is the first time that the software is used, a setup
dialog box may show.
4. Select the "Instrument Type" and the PC COM port, then push OK.
5. In the main window, select Configure.
6. Select the interface connected to the PC:
• SBE 11 Interface—RS232 used for general Deck Unit setup.
• SBE 11 Modem
• SBE 11 Remote Out—used to set up the Converted Data Output.
• SBE 11 9600 Baud Uplink—used with the Serial Data Uplink.
The Configuration window shows.
7. Select the COM Port. The Baud Rate is 9600. The Data Bits is 8, and Parity is None.
The Mode is RS232. Push OK.
8. Turn on power to the Deck Unit.
9. Send the "Display Status" (DS) command.
The display in Seaterm:
SBE 11plus V 5.2
number of scans to average = 8
pressure baud rate = 9600
NMEA baud rate = 4800
surface PAR voltage added to scan
A/D offset = 0
GPIB address = 1
advance primary conductivity 0.073 seconds
advance secondary conductivity 0.073 seconds
autorun on power up is disabled
If the system does not respond as shown, verify that the correct interface was
selected and settings were entered correctly in the Configuration Options window,
and that the cable between the PC and the Deck Unit is correctly attached.
10. Use the other Seaterm commands to change the setup as necessary.
5.1 Seaterm commands
Notes:
• An S> prompt shows that the Deck Unit is connected to the PC and is ready for
commands.
• Commands can be entered in upper or lower case.
• When the PC is connected to the SBE 11 Interface, the software does not show
("echo") commands. To make sure commands were received and interpreted
correctly, send DS to see the settings.
Status
15

DS Show model and firmware version
SBE 11plus V 5.2
number of scans to average = 8 (set to 1 for full data rate of 24 Hz)
PBaud= pressure baud rate = 9600
NMEABaud= NMEA baud rate = 4800
AddSPAR= surface PAR voltage added to scan
Offset= A/D offset = 0
GBIB= GPIB address = 1
AdvanceC0= advance primary conductivity 0.073 seconds
AdvanceC1= advance secondary conductivity 0.073 seconds
AutoRun= autorun on power up is disabled
IEEE488
GPIB=x x=IEEE488 address. Default is 1. Must be set to 1 for Deck Unit to work with Seasave.
Conductivity and Voltage Channel Advance
These commands align data in time, relative to pressure, so calculations of salinity,
dissolved oxygen concentration, and other parameters are made from the same parcel of
water. Alignment is done in the Deck Unit, so the real-time data that is sent to the
software is already aligned. If you save data at the full rate of 24 Hz and additional
alignment is required, use the Align CTD module in the SBE Data Processing software to
correct the data.
CTD systems that support flow-through sensors such as fluorometers may require
different settings. Refer to "Align CTD" in the SBE Data Processing manual and
Application Note 38 to calculate optimal advance values.
AdvanceCn=x n=conductivity channel number, 0 or 1
x=time, seconds, to advance conductivity channel—measurement on a water parcel is delayed because the
TC duct lets water into the sensor after the water as passed the temperature sensor. The delay is constant
since the pump sets a constant flow speed. To compensate for the delay so salinity can be calculated with
minimum spiking, the Deck Unit can advance the conductivity measurement in time to coordinate it with the
applicable temperature measurement. This occurs before any averaging, so a bias error is not introduced in
the calculated salinity.
Manufacturer-set default for 9plus = 0.073 sec (1.75 scans × 1/24).
Example: set advance for primary and secondary conductivity channels to 0.073.
AdvanceC0=0.073
AdvanceC1=0.073
AdvanceVn=x n=A/D channel number, 0–7
x=time, seconds to advance A/D channel, maximum 10 seconds.
Advance A/D channels for auxiliary sensors as needed. Refer to specifications for details on time constants.
SBE 43 oxygen data is frequently delayed with respect to pressure. The two primary causes are the long
time constant of the oxygen sensor (range is 2 seconds at 25 °C to approximately 5 seconds at 0 °C) and an
additional delay from the transit time of water in the pumped plumbing line. This delay can be corrected if
oxygen data is changed relative to pressure. Typical advance for a SBE 43 used with a SBE 9plus is
2–5 seconds.
Example: set advance for A/D voltage channel 0 to 2 seconds, and A/D channel 4 to 0.04.
AdvanceV0=2.0
AdvanceV1=0.04
Set up and configure system
16

NMEA baud rate
NMEABaud=x x= baud rate for communication between the Deck Unit and the NMEA navigation device, 4800 or 9600.
Surface PAR
AddSPAR=x x=Y: Add Surface PAR voltage to CTD data. x=N: do not
Offset=x x=offset voltage, 0–99, used to adjust Surface PAR data for drift in Deck Unit electronics
Pressure baud rate
PBaud=x x=baud rate for pressure frequency and pressure temperature output from Deck Unit. Available rates: 1200,
2400, 4800, 9600, 19200.
Autorun
AutoRun=x x=yes: When power is supplied, automatically send GR to start data collection where data is transmitted into
the RS232C buffer. Do not send and show the response of the status command when power is supplied.
x=n: Default. Wait for a command when power is supplied.
AddNMEA=x x=y: Add 7 bytes of Lat-Lon data to CTD data.
x=n: Do not add Lat-Lon data to CTD data.
Only if AutoRun=y. When AutoRun=n, the software automatically sends NY or NN to enable or disable
NMEA data, based on the setting in the .xmlcon or .con configuration file.
5.2 Set up and configure CTD
The .xmlcon or .con configuration file gives information about the sensor, channels, serial
numbers, and calibration dates and coefficients that the CTD requires. The Seasave
software uses this file to interpret and process data. Information in the .xmlcon or .con file
must be the same as the actual sensor configuration or data will not be processed
correctly.
1. Double-click on Seasave.exe to start the program.
2. Select the Configure Inputs menu item.
3. In the Instrument Configuration tab, push Open.
4. In the dialog box, select either the .xmlcon or .con file and then push Open.
5. The configuration information shows on the Instrument Configuration tab. Verify that
the sensors listed are the same as the sensors on the system and that any auxiliary
sensors have the correct channels.
6. Push Modify to change the configuration or to see or change the calibration
coefficients.
5.3 Set up and configure NMEA
The Deck Unit has an NMEA interface that merges position and CTD data. Messages
from navigation devices that support the NMEA 0183 protocol include GGA, GLL, RMA,
RMC, and TRF NMEA and are automatically decoded by the Deck Unit.
Set up and configure system
17

The decoded latitude and longitude data is appended to the CTD data in the Deck Unit
and transmitted to the PC to be stored and/or shown with CTD data. The NMEA LED light
on the Deck Unit flashes each time data is successfully decoded. This is typically the
same rate that the NMEA data is transmitted. The Deck Unit appends the same NMEA
data multiple times, until a new message is decoded.
• If the Deck Unit communicates with the PC with IEEE488, the navigation data is
appended to each CTD scan transmitted from the Deck Unit to the PC.
• If the Deck Unit communicates with the PC with RS232, the navigation data is
transmitted once per second. In Seasave, the navigation data is then appended to
each CTD scan, so the data is the same as the IEEE488.
Example: The CTD operates at 24 Hz and data is not averaged. A navigation device
transmits the NMEA data every 5 seconds. The NMEA LED flashes every 5 seconds.
• If IEEE488 is used to communicate with the PC, the same message is appended to
each scan of CTD data within that 5 seconds (24 scans/second × 5 seconds =
120 scans that show the same NMEA data).
• If RS232 is used to communicate with the PC, the same message is transmitted
5 times (for instance after CTD scans 1, 25, 49, 73, and 97). The same data is then
appended to each scan of CTD data within that 5 seconds.
Note that this section does not apply to data from an NMEA device that is connected
directly to a PC. The data is the same.
1. Connect the SBE 11 Interface RS232 connector to the PC.
2. Double-click on Seaterm.exe to start the software.
3. Select the "Instrument Type" and the PC COM port, then push OK.
4. In the main window, select Configure.
5. Select SBE 11 Interface.
The Configuration window shows.
6. Select the COMM Port. The Baud Rate is 9600. The Data Bits is 8, and Parity is
None. The Mode is RS232. Push OK.
7. Turn on power to the Deck Unit.
8. Send the "Display Status" (DS) command.
Seaterm shows:
SBE 11plus V 5.2
number of scans to average = 8
pressure baud rate = 9600
NMEA baud rate = 4800
surface PAR voltage added to scan
A/D offset = 0
GPIB address = 1
advance primary conductivity 0.073 seconds
advance secondary conductivity 0.073 seconds
autorun on power up is disabled
9. Check the NMEA baud rate. If necessary, send NMEABaud= to change the baud for
communication bewtween the Deck Unit and the NMEA device, to 4800 or 9600.
10. Turn off the Deck Unit.
5.3.1 Test NMEA in Seasave
Verify the NMEA shows position data in the Seasave software before deployment.
1. Make connections:
Set up and configure system
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