MAR 684 Special Topics in Geological MAR 684 Special Topics in Geological Marine Science: Marine Science:

Application of Instrumentation in Application of Instrumentation in Marine ScienceMarine Science

MAR 431MAR 431Basic Marine InstrumentationBasic Marine Instrumentation

InstructorsInstructors

Dr. Vernon AsperDr. Vernon Asper

Phone: 228-688-3178Phone: 228-688-3178

Email: Email: vernon.asper@usm.eduvernon.asper@usm.edu

Office hours: variable, by appointmentOffice hours: variable, by appointment

Mr. Kevin Martin, M.S.Mr. Kevin Martin, M.S.

Phone: (228) 688-1384Phone: (228) 688-1384

Email: Email: kevin.m.martin@usm.edu kevin.m.martin@usm.edu

Office hours: variable, by appointmentOffice hours: variable, by appointment

Address: 1020 Balch Blvd., Stennis Space Center, MS 39529Address: 1020 Balch Blvd., Stennis Space Center, MS 39529

Fax Number: (228) 688-1121Fax Number: (228) 688-1121

What is Marine Instrumentation?What is Marine Instrumentation?

•Any piece of electronics used to Any piece of electronics used to obtain marine data in the field.*obtain marine data in the field.*– Remote sensingRemote sensing– In situIn situ

* Kevin’s definition of Marine Instrumentation

Why do you need to know instrumentation?Why do you need to know instrumentation?• Sooner or later, you will be responsible for it.Sooner or later, you will be responsible for it.• ProsPros

– ““Easier” then lab techniquesEasier” then lab techniques– ““Real” data (Real” data (in situin situ))– Higher resolution dataHigher resolution data

• SpatialSpatial• TemporalTemporal

– Instant data results (some sensors)Instant data results (some sensors)– Large amounts of data “quickly”Large amounts of data “quickly”

• Cons Cons (a partial list)(a partial list)

– Not all parameters have sensors yetNot all parameters have sensors yet– Still need to be calibrated using lab techniques Still need to be calibrated using lab techniques – Power requirementsPower requirements– Sensor fails your cruise failsSensor fails your cruise fails

Things to remember Things to remember throughout coursethroughout course

(aka Rules to live by as Technician)(aka Rules to live by as Technician)

• Safety first!Safety first!

• If you are not willing to lose the sensor do not If you are not willing to lose the sensor do not put it over the side!!put it over the side!!

• Sensors do not always workSensors do not always work– Electronics have a mind of their ownElectronics have a mind of their own– You will go on a cruise and come back with NO You will go on a cruise and come back with NO

DATA!DATA!

• Manuals are your friendManuals are your friend– Manuals may not outline the easiest way to operate Manuals may not outline the easiest way to operate

sensorsensor

What do we hope this course will What do we hope this course will demonstrate?demonstrate?

• Instrumentation is not scary*Instrumentation is not scary*– A degree in rocket science is A degree in rocket science is

not need to operate not need to operate instrumentationinstrumentation

• General overview of sensors on the General overview of sensors on the marketmarket

• Sensor lingoSensor lingo• General knowledge of sensor General knowledge of sensor

operationoperation– ParametersParameters– LimitationsLimitations– Do & Don’tsDo & Don’ts

• Simple ElectronicsSimple Electronics• Building dataloggers (the Arduino!)Building dataloggers (the Arduino!)• General knowledge of data General knowledge of data

processingprocessing• Basic Troubleshooting skillsBasic Troubleshooting skills

*Frustrating, aggravating, nerve wracking YES, but not scary!

SyllabusSyllabus

• GradingGrading– Midterm Exam: 30%Midterm Exam: 30%– Final Exam: 30%Final Exam: 30%– Homework: 20%Homework: 20%– Project: 20% (Graduate only)Project: 20% (Graduate only)

• No required textsNo required texts– Course material will be provided as handoutsCourse material will be provided as handouts• Found on InternetFound on Internet

• Each class will have lecture and “lab”Each class will have lecture and “lab”

Class ProjectClass Project

• For graduate studentsFor graduate students– Extra credit for undergradsExtra credit for undergrads

• Develop an instrument (using and Arduino or other data Develop an instrument (using and Arduino or other data logger) to measure a one or more parameters, design the data logger) to measure a one or more parameters, design the data logger, calculate the energy required and the volume of logger, calculate the energy required and the volume of batteries needed, and then design a pressure housing for the batteries needed, and then design a pressure housing for the instrument including selection of the material to be used, it’s instrument including selection of the material to be used, it’s wall thickness and the electrical penetrators. Finally, build wall thickness and the electrical penetrators. Finally, build and demonstrate the electronic part of the instrument and demonstrate the electronic part of the instrument including the program that will run it.including the program that will run it.