Seabird

Training Materials for Download

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Sea-Bird University class handouts are available individually as PDFs. Simply click on the module title you are interested in. Alternatively the entire 700 plus training manual is also available as a 42MB PDF. Videos for Modules 0 through 4 are also available. Please note that these videos are based on older course (2016) material. Also available is a handy Glossary of Terms.

Module 0 Introduction

Module 0 Introduction.pdf

Introduction, Course Plan and Syllabus

  • SBE Training Introduction
  • Modules by the numbers
  • Topics We Will Cover
  • Resources

Introduction to Data Collection in the Ocean

  • Overview
  • Sensors, Instruments and Systems
  • Nomenclature
  • Ocean Profiling
  • Oceanographic Terms
  • Oceanographic Parameters
  • Activity: Install Seasoft and Course Data

Module 1 Profiling Equipment

Module 1 Profiling Equipment.pdf

Introduction, Course Plan and Syllabus

  • Overview
  • Profiling Systems
  • SBE 19, 19plus and 19plus V2: Sensor Placement
  • Autonomous Profiling Instruments
  • Specialty Profiling Systems
  • Real-time Profiling
  • Cabling the 9plus to the 11plus
  • SBE 9plus/11plus Data Telemetry
  • Internally Recorded Profiling
  • Real-time Options for Internally Recording Instruments
  • Modular Sensors
  • Water Sampling Equipment
  • Real-Time Water Sampling with SBE 9plus
  • Real-Time Water Sampling with Internally Recording Instruments
  • Autonomous Water Sampling with Internally Recording Instruments
  • Autonomous Water Sampling with SBE 9plus
  • Activity: Cable your Computer to SBE 19plus V2

Module 2 Setup and Acquiring Data Internally Recording Profiling Instruments

Module 2 Setup and Acquiring Data Internally Recording Profiling Instruments.pdf

  • Overview
  • Sea-Bird Software for Recording and Processing Data
  • Seaterm V2: User Interface for Internally Recording Instrumetns
  • Seaterm 232: User Interface for RS-232 Instruments
  • Calculating Memory Capacity
  • Calculating Battery Endurance
  • Activity: Setup SBE 19plus V2 and Collect Some Data
  • Transferring Stored Data
  • Activity: Transfer Data from CTD to Computer
  • Capturing Real-Time ASCII Data
  • Using Internally Recording Instruments for Real-Time Applications

Module 3 Setup and Acquiring Data Real Time Profiling Systems

Module 3 Setup and Acquiring Data Real Time Profiling Systems.pdf

  • Overview
  • Sea-Bird Software for Recording and Processing Data
  • Seasave: Setup for Real-Time Data Acquisition
  • Seasave: Instrument Configuration
  • Activity: Create Configuration File
  • Seasave: Default Display
  • Seasave: Configuring Inputs and Outputs
  • Seasave: Configuring Serial Ports
  • Seasave: Configuring Water Sampling
  • Seasave: Configuring TCP/IP Ports
  • Seasave: Defining Miscellaneous Parameters
  • Seasave: Pump Control
  • Seasave: Configuring Serial Data Output
  • Seasave: Configuring Shared File Output
  • Seasave: Configuring Mark Variables
  • Seasave: Configuring TCP/IP Output
  • Seasave: Configuring SBE 11plus Alarms
  • Seasave: Configuring SBE 14 Remote Display
  • Cabling a Remote Display
  • Seasave: Configuring PC Alarms
  • Seasave: Configuring Cast Headers
  • Seasave: Saving Your Setup
  • Seasave: Acquiring Real-Time Data
  • Activity: Take a Bench Cast and Collect Real-Time Data
  • Seasave:Output File Types
  • Seasave: Header Files
  • Seasave: Mark Files
  • Seasave: Mark Files
  • Seasave: Bottle Data Files
  • Seasave: Displaying Archived Data
  • Activity: Display Bench Cast in Seasave

Module 4 Introduction to SBE Data Processing, Data Conversion and Plotting

Module 4 Introduction to SBE Data Processing, Data Conversion and Plotting.pdf

  • Overview
  • Basic Data Processing: Example Data Sets
  • Activity: View Example Data in Seasave
  • Data Processing: Flow Chart
  • Data Conversion: Software
  • Data Conversion: File Headers Revealed
  • Data Conversion: What files does the software output?
  • Data Conversion: Output File Formats
  • Activity: Convert Example Data in SBE Data Processing
  • Sea Plot: Display Converted Data
  • Sea Plot: Plotting Multiple Files with Overlay Plots
  • Sea Plot: TS Plots
  • Activity: Plot Example Data in SBE Data Processing with Sea Plot

Module 5 Water Sampling with Internally Recording Instruments

Module 5 Water Sampling with Internally Recording Instruments.pdf

  • Overview
  • Water Sampling Components
  • Autonomous Water Sampling with Internally Recording Instruments
  • Setting up Water Sampling Equipment with Seaterm AF
  • SeatermAF V2: Setting Up CTD Communications
  • Seaterm AF V2: Setting up Sampling Protocol
  • Data Recorded in Auto Fire Instruments
  • Real-TIme Data and Water Samples from an Internally Recording Instrument
  • Correlating CTD Data with Water Samples
  • Extracting CTD Data for Water Samples with Data Conversion
  • Bottle Summary: Summarizing Water Sample Data
  • Activity: Create .ros and .btl Files

Module 6 Miscellaneous Applications

Module 6 Miscellaneous Applications.pdf

  • Overview
  • Fresh water Applications
  • Specific Conductance
  • Sound Velocity
  • Adding RS-232 Serial Output Interface to 911plus
  • Adding Navigational Information to Your Data

Module 7 Thermosalinographs

Module 7 Thermosalinographs.pdf

  • Overview
  • Thermosalinographs
  • SBE 21: Installation and Setup
  • SBE 45: Installation and Setup (continued)
  • Calibration
  • Maintenance
  • Healthy Data
  • More Challenging Data: Bubbles
  • Salinity Drift
  • Troubleshooting Opto/NMEA Boxes

Module 8 Making Measurements in the Ocean

Module 8 Making Measurements in the Ocean.pdf

  • Overview
  • Basics of Sensor Measurements
  • Temperature Sensors
  • Conductivity Sensors
  • Pressure Sensors
  • CTD sampling Rates
  • Resolution and Sampling Theory: Sampling and Profiling Rates
  • Activity: Compare Resolution
  • Coordinating Measurements
  • Aligning Data
  • Coordinating Measurements: An Example
  • Sensor Response to Step Changes

Module 9 Getting the Highest Accuracy Data: CTD Care and Calibrations

Module 9 Getting the Highest Accuracy Data: CTD Care and Calibrations.pdf

    • Overview
    • Care of thermometers in the field
    • Sensor Drift Characteristics
    • Care of Conductivity Sensors in the field
    • Conductivity Drift Characteristics
    • Pressure Sensor Drift Characteristics
    • Converting Sensor Output to Scientific Units
    • Converting to Scientific Units: Calibration
    • Using Calibrations to Improve your Data
    • Temperature: Using Calibrations to Improve your Data
    • Activity: Correct T via Pre/Post-Cruise Calibrations
    • Conductivity: Using Calibrations to Improve your Data
    • Calculating Parameters with SeaCalc III
    • Activity: Correct C via Pre/Post-Cruise Calibration
    • Download foour Calibration Sheets for completing the activities in Module 9. [ZIP]*

*These contain the slope/offset data necessary for the activity in module 9 and also the “Post Cruise Calibration” stamp. This stamp indicates that the cal certificate can be used for data corrections.

Module 10 Getting the Highest Accuracy Data: Field Calibrations

Module 10 Getting the Highest Accuracy Data: Field Calibrations.pdf

  • Overview
  • Field Calibrations
  • Field Calibrations: Pressure
  • Field Calibrations: Temperature
  • Field Calibrations: Discrete Sampling
  • Field Calibrations: Conductivity
  • Activity: Correct CTD Conductivity with Water Samples

Module 11 Advanced Data Processing: Dynamic Errors in CTDs

Module 11 Advanced Data Processing: Dynamic Errors in CTDs.pdf

  • Overview
  • Why worry about absolute accuracy?
  • Errors in CTD data
  • Dependent versus Independent Variables
  • Dynamic Errors in Temperature
  • Dynamic Errors in Conductivity
  • Dynamic Errors in Salinity
  • Reducing Dynamic Errors

Module 12 Advanced Data Processing: Dynamic Corrections for CTDs

Module 12 Advanced Data Processing: Dynamic Corrections for CTDs.pdf

  • Overview
  • Data Processing Software
  • Key Data Processing Modules
  • Additional Data Processing Modules
  • File Manipulation Modules
  • Data Processing Notes
  • Activity: Convert Data
  • Filtering Data
  • Illustrating Sensor Alignment
  • Demonstration of Misalignment Effects
  • Removing Misalignment
  • Activity: Align Data and Derive
  • Conductivity Cell Thermal Mass
  • Activity: Remove Conductivity Cell Thermal Mass Effect

Module 13 Advanced Data Processing – Ship Heave and Data Reduction

Module 13 Advanced Data Processing – Ship Heave and Data Reduction.pdf

  • Overview
  • Data Artifacts Induced By Ship Heave
  • Activity: Remove Loops
  • Bin Averaging
  • Bin Averaging: Algorithm
  • Bin Averaging: Surface Bins
  • Bin Averaging: File Selection and Data Setup
  • Bin Averaging: Output Data
  • Activity: Bin Average
  • Recommended SBE 911 plus Profiling CTD Data Processing Steps
  • Recommended SBE 19plus V2 Profiling CTD Data Processing Steps
  • Recommended SBE 25plus Profiling CTD Data Processing Steps

Module 14 Advanced Data Processing – Batch Processing

Module 14 Advanced Data Processing – Batch Processing.pdf

  • Overview
  • Data Processing Large Numbers of Files
  • Writing Batch Processing Scripts
  • Running SBEBatch
  • Nuances of SBEBatch
  • Activity: Use Batch Scripting to Process Data

Module 15 Introduction to Moored Equipment

Module 15 Introduction to Moored Equipment.pdf

  • Overview
  • Introduction to the SBE 16 SeaCAT Family
  • Introduction to the SBE 37 MicroCAT Family
  • Introduction to the SeapHOX Family
  • Introduction to the SBE 39 and 56 Families
  • Inductive Modem Telemetry
  • Inductive Modem Instruments
  • Clock Drift
  • Memory Capacity
  • Battery Endurance
  • Battery Endurance by Instrument
  • Battery Endurance Issues
  • Battery Endurance: Alkaline Battery Capacity
  • Battery Endurance: Lithium Battery Capacity
  • Calculating Battery Endurance
  • Activity: Calculate Battery Endurance
  • Measuring Periodic Signals

Module 16 Setup and Acquiring Data with Moored Instruments - Software

Module 16 Setup and Acquiring Data with Moored Instruments - Software.pdf

  • Overview
  • SeatermV2 and Seaterm: User Interface
  • Check Calibration Coefficients
  • Checking Status Report
  • Setting Date and Time
  • Pump Settings
  • Upload Files
  • SeatermV2: Upload Types
  • Activity: Setting Up, Logging, Uploading MicroCAT Data
  • Converting Sensor Output to Scientific Units
  • SBE 39 and older SBE 37 Data Conversion Utilities
  • SBE 16plus V2 Headers
  • Data Formats
  • Activity: Converting and Plotting Time Series Data
  • Preparing for Deployment: Inductive Modem Systems

Module 17 Setup and Acquiring Data with Moored Instruments -Hardware

Module 17 Setup and Acquiring Data with Moored Instruments -Hardware.pdf

  • Overview
  • Anti-foulant Paints
  • Changing Batteries
  • Checking Cables and Connectors
  • Clean Data Collection
  • Plumbing
  • Preparing for Deployment
  • Preparing for Deployment: Sensor Check
  • Preparing for Deployment: Check Zero Conductivity Frequency
  • Activity: Check Zero Conductivity for SBE 37-SM
  • Removing Air from Plumbing
  • Starting Logging

Module 18 Getting the Highest Accuracy Data – Moored Applications

Module 18 Getting the Highest Accuracy Data – Moored Applications.pdf

  • Overview
  • Static Errors
  • Instrument Malfunction
  • Care of Sensors in the Field
  • Care of Sensors in the Field: Conductivity
  • Sensor Drift Characteristics
  • Correcting Data with Pre- and Post-Deployment Calibrations
  • Temperature Drift from Pre- and Post-Deployment Calibrations
  • Field Validation of Conductivity
  • Correcting Conductivity and Temperature Data: Example
  • Lab Validation
  • Activity: Validate and T and C against Reference Standards

Module 19 Wave and TideTheory and Setup

Module 19 Wave and TideTheory and Setup

  • Overview
  • SBE 26 Wave and Tide Recorder
  • SBE 26plus Wave and Tide Recorder
  • Measuring Tides
  • Measuring Waves
  • Wave Frequency Spectrum
  • Measuring Waves: Background
  • Deployment Planning
  • Setting up the SBE 26
  • SBE 26 Measurement Sequence
  • Setting up the SBE 26plus
  • SBE 26plus Measurement Sequence
  • Adding Conductivity
  • Battery and Memory Summary
  • Deployment Summary
  • Recovery Summary
  • Removing Barometric Pressure from Tide Data
  • Troubleshooting an SBE 26
  • Troubleshooting an SBE 26plus

Module 20 Wave and Tide Data Processing

Module 20 Wave and Tide Data Processing

  • Overview
  • Separating into Wave Data and Tide Data: Convert Hex
  • Separating into Wave Data and Tide Data: .tid File Format
  • Separating into Wave Data and Tide Data: .wb File Format
  • Activity: Convert Wave and Tide Data
  • Processing Wave Measurements: Process Wave Burst Data
  • Processing Wave Measurements: .was File Format
  • Processing Wave Measurements: .rpt File Format
  • Processing Wave Measurements: .wt File Format
  • Processing Wave Measurements: .wts File Format
  • Activity: Process Wave Burst Data
  • Tabulating Wave Data: Create Reports
  • Activity: Create Wave Data Report
  • Removing Barometric Pressure from Tide Data: Merge Barometric Pressure
  • Graphing Wave and Tide Data
  • A Wave and Tide Example
  • A Wave and Tide Example, Processing Errors
  • A Wave and Tide Example, Sampling Setup Errors
  • A Wave and Tide Example, Correcting Processing Errors
  • Processing Wave Data: Reality Check
  • Activity: Plot wave auto-spectrum and time series

Module 21 Troubleshooting

Module 21 Troubleshooting

  • Overview
  • Troubleshooting: The Basics
  • Checklist for Real-Time Systems
  • Troubleshooting: 911plus
  • Activity: Troubleshooting
  • Troubleshooting: NMEA Problems
  • Troubleshooting: Carousel Water Sampler
  • Troubleshooting: SBE 33 or SBE 36
  • Troubleshooting: Internally Recording Instruments
  • Troubleshooting: Auto Fire Module (AFM)
  • Troubleshooting: Data Problems
  • Activity: Examine Bad Data

Module 22 Before During After Cruise

Module 22 Before During After Cruise.pdf

  • Overview
  • Pre-Cruise Equipment Checks
  • Pre-Cruise Equipment Checks - Connectors
  • Pre-Cruise Equipment Checks - Cables and Dummy Plugs
  • Pre-Cruise Equipment Checks – Plumbing
  • Pre-Cruise Equipment Checks – Pressure Capillary
  • Pre-Cruise Equipment Checks – Batteries
  • Pre-Cruise Equipment Checks – Inductive Instruments
  • Pre-Cruise Equipment Checks – Verify Functionality
  • Shipping Precautions
  • Tools and Spare Parts
  • Activity: Troubleshooting
  • Deployment: Instrument Plumbing
  • Deployment: Pump Operation
  • Deployment: Failed Underwater Connections…Be Neat!
  • Deployment: Using your CTD in Very Cold Places
  • Deployment: Final Preparation
  • Care and Maintenance during Cruise
  • Care of Conductivity Sensors in the Field
  • Care and Maintenance of Water Samplers
  • Flooded Instruments
  • Care and Maintenance after Cruise
  • Sensor Storage

Module 23 Maintenance

Module 23 Maintenance.pdf

  • Overview
  • Annual Maintenance
  • Lubricating Hardware
  • Electrostatic Discharge Precautions
  • O-Rings and Seals
  • O-Rings and Seals – Opening Instruments
  • O-Rings and Seals – Cleaning Surfaces
  • O-Rings and Seals – Inspecting
  • O-Rings and Seals – Typical Flaws
  • O-Rings and Seals – Lubrication
  • O-Rings and Seals – Closing Instruments
  • Pump Maintenance
  • Replacing Bulkhead Connectors
  • SBE 9plus Bulkhead Connector Wiring
  • SBE 16plus and 19plus Bulkhead Connector Wiring
  • Replacing Bulkhead Connectors

Module 24 Introduction to Biogeochemical Sensors

Module 24 Introduction to Biogeochemical Sensors.pdf

  • Overview
  • Introduction to Biogeochemical Sensors
  • Introduction to Oxygen Sensors
  • Electrochemical Dissolved Oxygen Sensors
  • Optical Dissolved oxygen Sensor
  • Optical Fluorescence and Backscatter Sensors
  • How Optical Fluorescence and Backscatter Work
  • Measuring Fluorescence
  • Measuring Backscatter
  • Introduction to Optical Transmissometers
  • How Transmissometers Work

Module 25 Setup and Acquiring Data with Biogeochemical Sensors

Module 25 Setup and Acquiring Data with Biogeochemical Sensors.pdf

  • Overview
  • Introduction to Modular Sensors
  • Integrating Modular Sensors
  • Biogeochemical Sensors: WET Labs ECO Example
  • Integrating Transmissometers
  • Adding Surface PAR
  • Supporting Custom Auxiliary Sensors
  • Adding 9600 Baud Data Channel to 911plus
  • Integrating Dissolved Oxygen
  • Preparing for Moored Deployment

Module 26 Care of Biogeochemical Sensors

Module 26 Care of Biogeochemical Sensors.pdf

  • Overview
  • Care of Oxygen Sensors in the Field
  • Cleaning Dissolved Oxygen Sensors in the Field
  • Dissolved Oxygen Sensor Storage

Module 27 Introduction to Biogeochemical Data Processing

Module 27 Introduction to Biogeochemical Data Processing.pdf

  • Overview
  • Dissolved Oxygen Calibration
  • SBE 43 Dissolved Oxygen Sensor Drift
  • Field Calibrations for Dissolved Oxygen
  • Dissolved Oxygen Calibration Equation
  • Sample Validation Procedure for Dissolved Oxygen Sensor
  • Dissolved Oxygen Sensor Response
  • Processing Dissolved Oxygen
  • Removing Misalignment in Dissolved Oxygen
  • Tau Correction for Dissolved Oxygen
  • Activity: Align DO Data and Derive
  • Biogeochemical Data Processing Software
  • Using Factory Calibrations to Process Biogeochemical Data
  • Example using a Wetlabs Product

Module 28 Advanced Data Processing – Biogeochemical Sensors

Module 28 Advanced Data Processing – Biogeochemical Sensors.pdf

  • Overview
  • Dissolved Oxygen Deep Ocean Hysteresis
  • Adjusting E in the Calibration Equation
  • Validation in the Field
  • Field Calibrations – Dissolved Oxygen
  • Activity: Compute Correction Factor for Soc
  • Correcting Oxygen Data: SBE 63 Optical DO Sensor
  • Computing Rate of Change for Soc
  • Correcting Oxygen Data for Drift
  • Oxygen: Using Calibrations to Improve your Data
  • Activity: Compute Rate of Change for Soc

Module 29 Returning Instruments to Sea-Bird for Service

Module 29 Returning Instruments to Sea-Bird for Service.pdf

  • Overview
  • Sea-Bird Contact Information
  • Information Needed by Sea-Bird
  • Information Needed by Sea-Bird to Diagnose Problems
  • Battery Shipping Regulations
  • Service Scheduling
  • Service Work Authorization
  • Service Work Quotes
  • Service Package
  • Service Package Disc
  • Service Scheduling