Analog Sensor Integration Guide

From bottom contact triggers to transmissometers, oceanographic sensor options are vast and diverse, and choosing the right combination of sensors can significantly augment a CTD’s measurement capabilities. Although getting disparate technologies to talk to one another is typically a difficult process, many of these sensors have a simple 0-5 V analog output, making the integration process much more seamless.

Of the Sea-Bird Scientific CTDs, five models can support analog auxiliary sensors: the 9plus, 25plus, 19plus V2, 16plus V2, and the SBE 21 Thermosalinograph. When equipped with a collection of auxiliary sensors, these CTDs can become self-contained research platforms, providing power, aligning sample timing, facilitating data logging/transmission, and even integrating sensors into the CTD’s pumped flow path. The configuration process will differ by each CTD, but the underlying concepts are the same.

Physically connecting a sensor to the CTD

There are 2 major considerations to make before connecting a sensor to a CTD:

• Selecting the right cable
• Which of the CTD’s connectors to plug the cable into

When connected and configured, the CTD will do two things: provide power to the auxiliary sensor, and log/transmit that sensor’s 0-5 V signal. It is critical to use the correct cable to connect the sensor to the CTD; just because a given cable has the right connectors does not mean that the cable’s internal leads are correct. Using the incorrect cable can damage a sensor.

Identifying the Cable

Sea-Bird provides the Cable Search tool on our website, which allows users to identify the proper cable for a given CTD and sensor, and access drawings of the cable to confirm.

Learn how to use Cable Search here.

Identifying the CTD Connector

Sea-Bird CTDs that support auxiliary sensors have several connectors, and it is crucial to select the correct one (this also has implications for creating the .xmlcon configuration file). Note the connector diagram for a 19plus V2 below:

Connectors J1, J2, and J4 labeled “Auxiliary Differential Input” are for supporting analog-output sensors. Each connector has two voltage channels and power output, meaning it can support two auxiliary voltage sensors. Refer to the connector diagram before plugging a cable into the CTD.

Cross-Referencing the Cable Drawing to the Connector Diagram

If you have the cable drawing and the connector diagram, you can identify which of the CTD’s voltage channels will accept data from the auxiliary sensor and verify that your cable is correct. This is particularly important when using a Y-cable, which connects two auxiliary sensors to a single CTD connector.

The diagram below illustrates how to identify which voltage channel each sensor will connect to when plugging a Y-cable into connector J1 on a 19plus V2:

The SBE 43 connects to pins 2 and 3 on the CTD, which correspond with “Voltage 0 Signal/Common” (e.g. Voltage Channel 0) on the connector diagram. The SBE 18 connects to pins 4 and 5 on the CTD, which correspond with “Voltage 1 Signal/Common” (e.g. Voltage Channel 0).

Creating a Configuration File

Once the sensors are physically connected to the CTD, the next step is to create or modify the CTD’s .xmlcon configuration file. This file tells Seasave or SBE Data Processing how to convert the analog voltage from any auxiliary sensors to engineering units. Any changes to the CTD configuration will necessitate a change to the configuration file, or the software will fail to process the data correctly.

Configuration Files require a few changes when changing auxiliary sensors:

Sensor Order

The order in which sensors appear in the configuration file must match the order that sensors are physically connected to the CTD. Note: for the 19plus V2, 16plus V2, and real-time output on the 25plus, voltage channels must be activated prior to logging data. Refer to the instrument manual for more information.

In the .xmlcon file above, the order of sensors listed matches the order of sensors connected to and activated in the 19plus V2 CTD. Note that CTD Voltage Channel 1 is not show in the list on the right– this is because no sensors have been connected to that channel (pins 4 and 5 on connector JT1). Despite this, the .xmlcon file is still correct, as the order of sensors in the .xmlcon file matches the order of sensors plugged into the CTD.

Sensor type

The sensors defined in the .xmlcon file must match the actual sensor used. To change the type, click on an A/D Voltage channel and slick on “Select”, then select the appropriate sensor from the list. If the particular sensor is not available, use the “User Polynomial” or “User Exponential” option, ensuring that the order of sensors is correct as shown above.

Calibration Coefficients

Coefficients in the .xmlcon file for each sensor type must match the calibration data from the most recent calibration. Double click on the sensor in the .xmlcon file and verify/change the coefficients.

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