Sensors

All-In-One systems combine seismic sensors with their dataloggers in a single, easily-deployed unit. Because these units do not require numerous cables to connect a sensor to its datalogger, they avoid many serious problems associated with cables, such as incorrect connector types, broken and chewed wires, or damaged pins. They are also much easier to deploy than conventional sensor/datalogger combinations. Their use can dramatically cut down on both station installation times and the number of required personnel. Their smaller size can also be very beneficial for deployments using volume-limited transportation methods, such as sea vessels.

Because Nodes and SmartSolos both utilize lithium batteries that operate above the 100Wh threshold, shipping of more than 2 units produced by either vendor will require special handling, including: packing, marking and documentation. Special handling, if needed, will require the assistance of a certified dangerous goods shipper.

The Smart Solo IGU-16HR 3C is a compact all-in-one 3-channel sensor & datalogger with onboard GPS timing, and a self-contained power supply. Similar to the FairfieldNodal ZLand 3C, it has been adopted by the academic community as a useful sensor for both active and short-term passive experiments.

The units require a pre-deployment plan to be filled out with the sample rate, gain, and minimum or linear phase specified. The units must be sent back to PASSCAL for data offload, unless the portable harvester system is requested for the experiment.

Specifications:

The FairfieldNodal ZLand 3C is a compact all-in-one 3-channel sensor & datalogger with onboard GPS timing, and a self contained power supply. Originally designed for use in large N industry deployments, it has been adopted by the academic community as a useful sensor for both active and short-term passive deployments.

Unlike other sensors & dataloggers at PASSCAL, use of the ZLand 3C requires a deployment plan to be filed in advance with PASSCAL for handheld unit pre-programming.  Likewise, the units must be sent back to PASSCAL for data offload.

Note:  PASSCAL has purchased 11 Nanometrics Trillium 120PH seismometers.

Instrument Response files released from Nanometrics for Trillium 120 and Trillium 240 sensors have been evaluated and updated for Antelope, where they are used to generate dataless and RESP files.

All equipment, especially sensors and cables, are cleaned and comprehensively tested when they arrive at the PIC, regardless of whether the equipment are newly delivered from the manufacturer or being returned from an experiment.  PASSCAL makes every effort to ensure that all equipment are operating to the manufacturers specifications.

This article outlines the procedures undertaken and metrics employed by the PIC to verify that sensors operate within manufacturers specifications.

All sensors returning from a field experiment are subject to the following procedures:

The CMG 40T-1sec seismometer looks, on the outside, just like the CMG 40T-30sec, intermediate period seismometer. Its response, however, is tuned to short-period signals (1-100Hz). One hundred of these feedback seismometers were purchased for the Flexible Array sensor pool.

All poles and zeroes in radians/sec

The Guralp CMG-3T seismometer is a 3-axis broadband instrument that has a flat response to ground velocity between 120s and 100Hz.  It has been tested to operate down to -55C and only draws 0.3W of power.

PASSCAL's Polar program has purchased the cold-rated 3Ts (with active logic high) for broadband experiments in Antarctica.  When powered and locked, the reported mass positions will be '0'.  This does not mean that the instrument is dead or unpowered.  Once the 'unlock' command is initiated, first the lock/unlock and then the centering motors should run and finally result in meaningful mass position readouts.

The CMG-3T has a low tilt tolerance and is sensitive to temperature changes, it therefore requires a well established and well thermally isolated vault.

Your choice of seismic sensor for Polar research will depend on your scientific targets. PASSCAL has a wide range of both passive and active seismic sensors appropriate for controlled source, local or regional seismicity, ice dynamics or teleseismic studies. A comparison of our sensors can be found here.

These are typically used for controlled source experiments, short term, local seismicity or ice studies.  The instruments available are the Sercel L-28 and L-22.  The L-28 is a 4.5Hz 3 component geophone while the L-22 is a 2Hz 3 component seismometer.