1. Devil XBT Data Acquisition System UPDATE
Alex Papij
Marine Instrumentation Group
CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research

2. XBT The Expendable Bathy Thermograph – XBT
Sippican (now Lockheed Martin Sippican Inc) expendable oceanographic probes are small sensors that can free-fall through the ocean at a known rate. Each probe is housed in a tubular protective canister that is inserted by the launch operator into a special launcher about a vessel. Contacts on the canister provide electrical connections via a launcher cable to an electronics module attached to a personal computer. This module is the Devil System. When the operator is ready to deploy the probe he pulls out a retaining pin, enabling the probe to fall from the launcher into the ocean. The probe’s hydrodynamic shape allows it to descend through the water at a stable and known rate, so its depth after launch can be readily calculated. As the probe descends through the water its internal sensors measure water temperature. The measurements are continuously transmitted via an insulated wire back to the PC on the launching vessel, where they are digitised and stored. The wire unfurls from a spool in the probe as it sinks and from a spool in the canister as the ship moves along the surface. This dual spooling technique enables the wire to remain stationary in the water, allowing the use of very fine wire. Soon after the probe reaches terminal depth its wire becomes expended and breaks away from the probe, which continues to fall to the ocean floor. The operator removes the spent canister from the launcher and breaks the trailing wire which then sinks to the bottom.
This system with an expendable probe that measures temperature as it descends is called an Expendable Bathy Thermograph – XBT.
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

3. Devil XBT Devil System What is the Devil? it’s an XBT system,
comprises an electronics module (the Devil device) and Windows software (XP or later),
the Devil System works seamlessly with Sippican expendable bathy thermograph (XBT) launchers and probes.
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

4. Devil XBT
Devil System
The Devil System provides a comprehensive XBT solution:
collects temperature readings,
processes the data into useable information,
automatically checks the quality of data against a global climatology database,
graphically displays data, quality reports and statistics,
archives the data,
compresses the information,
transmits the information through satellites to land based processing centres.
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

5. Devil XBT Hardware Devil Hardware Features Plug n Play
Powered from USB port (no external power required)
Support for Seimac WildCat Argos transmitter
Future support for Iridium satellite modem
Field upgradable firmware
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

6. Devil XBT Hardware Devil Hardware Support
Devil XBT Simulator compatible with Sippican MK12 and MK21
Devil XBT Junction Box (compatible with Sippican launchers & controllers)
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

7. Devil XBT Hardware Devil Simple Setup Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

8. Devil XBT System Devil Simple Setup Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

9. Devil XBT System Devil Simple Setup GPS is supported.
GPS is connected to an RS232 port (or a USB-to-RS232).
The GPS is automatically found by the Devil software .
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

10. Devil XBT System Devil Simple Setup Argos Transmitter
Argos satellite system is supported.
Siemac WildCat Argos transmitter is connected to an RS232 port (or a USB-to-RS232).
The WildCat is automatically detected by the Devil program.
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

11. Devil XBT System Devil Simple Setup Iridium Transmitter
Iridium satellite system will soon be supported.
NAL 9601 Iridium modem support.
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

12. Devil XBT System Devil Simple Setup INTERCONNECTION DIAGRAM Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

13. Devil XBT Operation Devil – Simulator & Normal Modes
Both are functionally identical:
Capable of either
New XBT Drop or
Test System – test canister or Devil Simulator Box
Simulator mode useful for:
Training
Explaining and demonstrating the system to SOOP operators
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

14. Devil XBT Operation Devil – XBT Drop Process
Every time a probe is dropped these steps are carried out. Each step has to be completed before proceeding to the next step:
The Software checks for the presence of a Devil Device.
The Devil Device is then configured and set up for the selected probe type with drop equation coefficients and max depth to record to.
Checks are done to make sure the breach is open, if it isn’t, it asks for the breach to be opened (and spent canister to be removed).
The Software asks for a new canister/probe to be loaded and the breach to be closed.
Precise calibration of the electronics is done.
The Software asks for the probe launch.
When the probe hits water, data begins to be collected and processed in the Devil box, then it’s sent to the computer for further processing, display, quality checking and archiving (netCDF format).
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

15. Devil XBT Operation Devil – Viewing the data
On a global chart the location of previous and current drops is shown
Plot during a drop
Plot at the completion – with climatology & QC overlay
View plots of past drops
Export data to ascii files
Statistics of test canister drop
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

16. Devil XBT Operation Devil Viewing the data Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

17. Devil XBT Operation Devil Viewing the data Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

18. Devil XBT Operation Devil Viewing the data Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

19. Devil XBT Operation Devil Viewing the data Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

20. Devil XBT Roll Out Devil Productions Dec 2004
First Devil prototypes (Version 1) CSIRO
Feb 2005
20 pre-production units (Version 2) CSIRO
Jul 2006
12 production units (Version 3) CSIRO
Apr 2007
20 production units (Version 4) TURO
Future production units (Version 4) TURO
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

21. Devil XBT Roll Out Devil Tests, Trials, Performance 2004 - 2007 Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

22. Devil XBT Roll Out Devil Trials Devil V3 Test Canister
(Devil XBT Simulator Box)
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

23. Devil XBT Roll Out Devil Trials Devil V3 Test Canister
(Devil XBT Simulator Box)
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

24. Devil XBT Roll Out
Devil Trials selection of some ships used for trials:
Year Vessel Organisation Devil Version
2004 Southern Surveyor (research vessel) CSIRO V2
2005 Southern Surveyor (research vessel) CSIRO V2
2005 Forum Samosa II (container ship) CSIRO V2
2005 Yellofin (research vessel) NOAA/CSIRO V2
2005 CPBorealis (container ship) BOM/CSIRO V2
2005 CPAurora (container ship) BOM/CSIRO V2
2006 Tower Bridge (container ship) BOM V2
2006 SAGAR (container ship) BOM V2
2006 HMAS Parramatta (frigate) RAN/CSIRO V2, V3
2006 HMAS Melville (hydrographic ship) RAN V2
2007 HMAS Adelaide (frigrate) RAN V3
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

25. Devil XBT Roll Out Devil Trials Devil V2 vs MK21 2006 Royal Aust Navy
HMAS Melville
(hydrographic ship)
Offset adjustment for least squares
No stretch (fall rate) adjustment
Source: Andrew Schepen, Dept of Defence, Directorate of Oceanography and Meteorology
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

26. Devil XBT Roll Out Devil Trials Devil V2 vs MK21 2006 Royal Aust Navy
HMAS Melville
(hydrographic ship)
Offset adjustment for least squares
No stretch (fall rate) adjustment
Source: Andrew Schepen, Dept of Defence, Directorate of Oceanography and Meteorology
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

27. Devil XBT Roll Out Devil Trials Devil V2 vs MK21 2006 Royal Aust Navy
HMAS Melville
(hydrographic ship)
Offset adjustment for least squares
No stretch (fall rate) adjustment
Source: Andrew Schepen, Dept of Defence, Directorate of Oceanography and Meteorology
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

28. 29 Devil Systems have been delivered
Devil XBT Roll Out
Devil Deployments
Since Late 2005
29 Devil Systems have been delivered
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

29. Devil XBT Support Devil – Information/Documentation
Latest versions, manuals and technical documentation
Help in the main Devil program
start > All Programs > Devil > Documentation
ftp site: ftp://ftp.marine.csiro.au/software/devil/
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

30. Devil XBT Support Devil – Diagnostics
Set the level of debug information to be logged: Click on Options>Debug logging level Log file will be saved as: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\CSIRO\Devil\devil.log.
Test Drop using the Simulator Box
Server traffic in xbtctrl.exe, txctrl.exe and gpsctrl.exe
Console in xbtctrl.exe, txctrl.exe and gpsctrl.exe
Chatter (start > All Programs > Devil > Utilities > Test Client) Commands listed in XBTmessages.pdf (start > All Programs > Devil > Documentation > XBT Messages)
Hyperterminal
Useful diagnostic information
configuration settings
calibration coefficients
ohms/temperature values and standard deviations of Simulator Box
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

31. Devil – Diagnostics Devil XBT Support
Set the level of debug information to be logged: Click on Options>Debug logging level Log file will be saved as: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\CSIRO\Devil\devil.log.
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

32. single stream of releases.
Devil XBT
Devil Supplier
The Devil XBT System was developed by CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (CMAR) and supported by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
Turo Technology Pty Ltd is licensed to manufacture and sell Devil systems.
CSIRO continues to own the technology.
Collaboration will ensure that future improvements or developments by CSIRO and by Turo will be integrated into a:
single stream of releases.
Devil
SHIP OBSERVATIONS TEAM, FOURTH SESSION, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 TO 21 APRIL 2007

33. The Tasmanian Devil
Devil

34. Thank You Contact CSIRO
DEVIL ENQUIRIES
TURO TECHNOLOGY PTY LTD Hobart, Australia Web:
Thank You
Contact CSIRO
Phone: Web: