Principles of Oceanographic Instrument Systems -- Sensors and Measurements (13.998)

Syllabus

This page presents information about the course, including a calendar.

Course Meeting Times

Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

Labs: 1 session / week, 3 hours / session

Course Goals

This course provides the ocean scientist and engineer with an:

1. Understanding of the theoretical and practical principles of making measurements in the ocean,
2. An introduction to basic oceanographic instrumentation being used today,
3. The requirements, methodology and sampling strategies related to designing scientific and environmental monitoring programs,
4. An appreciation of issues relating to the analysis and presentation of results.

Lectures

Oceanography is an observational field that requires quality observations to support scientific investigations. Therefore, it is imperative that the oceanographic student think in terms of the observational requirements (rather than just sensors) when designing an experiment. This including consideration of the sensors (type, calibration, response, and techniques for the user of), sampling theory (sample interval, duration, statistical confidence), data systems (microprocessors, data compression, conditional sampling, and data storage), data analysis and presentation of the results (that meet the scientific, management, observational goals). This class is an introduction to sensors and measurements and their use in the ocean. Various “state-of-the-art” measurement systems will be described and discussed during the semester. Classroom lectures will be supplemented with readings, speakers, and the student will be assigned problem sets.

Laboratory

During the semester, students will work in the laboratory understanding circuits and instrument systems then prepare and deploy them in the ocean. The class will study several instrument systems in detail during the semester. Other exercises will help the student understand filters, op-amps, analog and digital circuits, microprocessors, and the use of laboratory test equipment. Then the students will design a simple deployment, prepare the instrumentation and supporting hardware/software and deploy the instruments from the R/V TIOGO or ASTERIAS for one week. The student will be required to work up the cruise for a final class report and make an oral presentation of the findings.

Course work will include assigned problems sets involving data manipulation and presentation of results using MATLAB®. Presentation of a final report on the laboratory projects will be given to the class (and others) at the end of the semester in place of a final exam. Grades will be assigned based on the student’s performance on the assigned homework, participation in class discussions, and on the laboratory project.

Readings

This subject is not covered sufficiently by any textbook. Students are provided with course notes written by the instructors, and supplemental readings from the literature.

Other Coursework

Course work will include assigned problems sets involving data manipulation and presentation of results using MATLAB®.

Presentation of a final report on the laboratory projects will be given to the class (and others) at the end of the semester in place of a final exam.

Grading

Grades will be assigned based on the student’s performance on the assigned homework, participation in class discussions, and on the laboratory project.

Calendar

AJW = Dr. Albert J. Williams, 3rd
JDI = Dr. James D. Irish

The calendar below provides information on the course’s lecture (L) and laboratory (Lab) sessions.

SES #	TOPICS	INSTRUCTORS
L1	Introduction to Class, Requirements and Get Student Interests/Focus	AJW, JDI
L2	Transducers, Instrument Systems and Limits to Measurements	AJW, JDI
Lab 1	Background Lab: Electronics
L3	Introduction to Sampling Theory, Statistics, Fourier Transforms, Filters and Filtering	JDI
L4	Filters and Filtering (cont.), Sampling Theorem, Aliasing, Nyquist Frequency	JDI
Lab 2	Background Lab: Circuit Construction, Soldering, Scopes, DVM
L5	Power Spectra, Coherence, Confidence Limits	JDI
Lab 3	Background Lab: MAVS Circuit Analysis, Discussion, Testing
L6	Digitizing, Ideal A/C, Frequency Counting, Least Count Error	JDI
L7	Calibrations, Static, Dynamic and Sensor Response	JDI
Lab 4	Background Lab: Materials for Use in Ocean
L8	Sensor Noise, Signal to Noise and Frequency Response Effects	JDI
L9	Sea Water Properties, Distributions, Equation of State of Sea Water	JDI
Lab 5	Background Lab: Compass, Tilt, Motion, Acoustic Releases, Pingers, Acoustic Locators
L10	Pressure - Temperature Sensors/Measurements and Standards	JDI
L11	Conductivity/Salinity Sensors/Measurements and Standards	JDI
Lab 6	Background Lab: Calibrations Part 1
L12	CTDs - Profiling, Towed, Self-contained	JDI
L13	Buoys, Moorings, Compliance	JDI
Lab 7	Background Lab: Calibrations Part 2
L14	Ropes, Fibers, Cables, Compliant Elements	Guest Lecturer: Walter Paul
L15	Data Systems, Recorders, A/D’s, Microprocessors and Telemetry	Guest Lecturer: Al Bradley
Lab 8	Cruise Lab: Divide Class into Groups, Start Work on Instruments
L16	Eulerian Current Meters - VACM, VMCM, ACM, BASS	AJW
L17	Lagrangian Currents - Draper LCD, TriStar, Swallow Float, SOFAR, RAFOS	AJW
Lab 9	Cruise Lab: Instruments (cont.)
L18	Acoustic Current Meters - ADV, ADCP, LDV	AJW
L19	Acoustic Backscattering and Sediment Transport - ABS, SSS	Guest Lecturer: Peter Traykovski
Lab 10	Cruise Lab: Final Instrument Prep/Checkout
Lab 11	Cruise Lab: Deployment and survey During Whole Day
L20	Meteorology (Winds, Pressure, Temperature, Relative Humidity, Radiation)	Guest Lecturer: Jim Edson
L21	Platforms - Drifters, Ships, Bottom-Mounted, AUV, ROV	Guest Lecturer: Hanu Singh
Lab 12	Cruise Lab: Recover Instruments	Guest Lecturer: Hanu Singh
L22	Imaging
L23	Bio-optical - Fluorometers, Transmissometers, OBS, Radiometers, PAR	Guest Lecturer: Peter Traykovski
Lab 13	Cruise Lab: Analysis and Discussion
L24	Remote Sensing - Satellite, Radar, VHF Radar, LDV, ADCP, and ADV
L25	Other Topics of Student Interest
Lab 14	Oral Presentations and written Reports of Cruise Results