Please note: Programming texans should be performed by an experienced user or a PASSCAL staff member.

 

QUICK START GUIDE

 1. CONNECT EVERYTHING. Connect power to the PC Interface box, the GPS Distribution box, and the hub. Connect a RT130GPS to the GPS Distribution box. Connect a cat-5 cable from the GPS Distribution box to the PC Interface box. Connect USB and serial cables from the PC Interface box to the hub. Install drivers for the USB to serial converters in the PC Interface if required. Connect a USB cable from the PC Interface to a USB port on the control computer. Complete any driver installation. Connect the Texans to the hub.

2. START AND SET UP POCUS.

The RT125A, or texan, is a compact single channel datalogger with a self contained power supply (two D-cell batteries). Its primary application is for active source experiments.

When recording continuously at 100 sps, the battery life is approximately 120 hours. Higher sample rates will shorten the battery life and may fill up internal memory before the battery dies.

Features:

Single channel, 24 bit ADC Physical size: 3.0" diameter, 7.7" length Power source: two D-cell alkaline batteries Sample rate: 25 to 1000 sps Storage capacity: 256MB or 512MB

 

Solar panels are used to produce the power to charge batteries needed to run a station.  The number and size of solar panels needed will depend on the amount of sunlight available at the site and the power draw of the station.  For stations at low to mid latitudes and at least moderate sun we recommend a power ratio of at least 20 to 1.  That is if the station draws 1 watt of power you need at least 20 watts of solar panel.  The Battery Usage Calculator  is helpful in determining power usage for stations.  To get the most power the solar panels need to be oriented to receive the maximum amount of sunlight using solar panel mounts.

 

PASSCAL currently supports approximately 60 experiments per year worldwide, with 5-10% currently funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Polar Programs (OPP). Polar projects commonly require a level of support that is several times that of seismic experiments in less demanding environments inclusive of very remote deployments (e.g. Tibet). In order to ensure OPP funded Antarctic projects the highest level of success, we have established a PASSCAL Polar Program and have secured funds from OPP to support new and ongoing experiments in Antarctica.

The primary focus of PASSCAL’s Polar support efforts are: