SEAGUARD® Recording Current Meter

The SeaGuard RCM series is based on the SeaGuard data

logger platform and the ZPulse Doppler Current Sensor.
Modern computer technology combined with advanced
digital signal processing provides accurate and detailed
measurements with almost unlimited resolution.
Optional parameters are available through a wide
range of smart sensors that include temperature,
pressure, conductivity, oxygen, wave and tide. The
SeaGuard RCM series come in 300m, 3000m and
6000m depth ranges. 7000m and 10000m versions
available on request.

Advantages:
• Large storage capacity on SD card
• Broadband ZPulse multi-frequency technology
reduces power consumption and improves quality
• Down to 2 second recording interval
• Low current drain
• Smart sensor topology based on a reliable semi-
high speed CANbus interface (AiCaP)
• Up to 4 Analog sensor input (0-5V)
• Windows CE based datalogger with TFT based
color touch panel for local configuration
• SeaGuard Studio visualization software
• For use in sea and fresh water
• Real-Time XML Output (optional)

The SeaGuard RCM series replaces the industry for most applications.The SeaGuard also has a
standard RCM 9 and RCM 11 series. It has been built-in power calculator which gives an etsimated
completely redesigned from bottom up and employs deployment lenght bases on selected interval, battery
modern technology in the datalogger section and in type and current drain information, obtained from
the different sensor solutions. each smart sensor.

The SeaGuard architecture is based on a general data The SeaGuard RCM comes standard with the ZPulse
logger unit and a set of autonomous smart sensors. multi-frequency Doppler current sensor. The current
The data logger and the smart sensors are interfaced sensor comprises acoustic pulses of several frequency
by means of a reliable CANbus interface(AiCaP), using components to lower the statistical variance in the
XML for plug and play capabilities. During power-up, Doppler shift estimate. The advantage of this is
each of the sensors that are connected to the bus reduced statistical error with fewer pings, providing
will report their capabilities and specifications to the increased sampling speed and lower power
data logger. The data logger then assembles the consumption.
information and provides the user with the possibility
to configure the instrument based on the present nodes. The Doppler Current Sensor also incorporates a
The solution provides for great flexibility in both use and robust fully electronic compass and a tilt sensor.
design of the different elements within the system. The SeaGuard RCM may also be delivered with new
smart sensor solutions for Temperature, Pressure,
The autonomous sensor topology also gives the sensor Conductivity and Oxygen. All sensors have increased
designer flexibility and opportunities where each sensor resolution compared with the older models. The
type may be optimized with regard to its operation, each temperature sensor also has decreased settling time
sensor may now provide several parameters without to utilize the increased sampling speed provided
increasing the total system load. Data storage takes place by the SeaGuard platform. There is also an analog
on a Secure Digital (SD) card. The current capacity for Turbidity Sensor available for direct connection on the
this card type is up to 2GBytes, is more than adequate top end plate.
Specifications
Top-end Plate capability: Up to 6 sensors can be fitted onto Bottom 3448R
the Top-end Plate, of which 4 can Protecting Rods 3783
be analog sensors (0-5V) Sub-surface floats 2211,2212
Recording System: Data Storage on SD card Battery/Power: Internal Lithium 3908
Storage Capacity: ≥ 2GB Internal Alkaline 3988
Battery: Internal Battery Shell 4513
Alkaline 3988: 9V, 15Ah (nominal 12.5Ah; Electrical terminal 4784C
20W down to 6V at 4°C) AC/DC adapter, lab. use 4908
or Lithium 3908: 7V, 35Ah Other: Real Time licence and collector
Offline Configuration 4811
Recording Interval: From 2s, depending on the node
Analog cable/license
configuration for each instrument
4564/4802
Recording settings: Fixed interval settings or Maintenance Kit 3813/3813A
Customized Sequence setting Tools kit 3986A
Protocol: AiCaP CANbus based protocol Vane Plate 3781,3681
Depth Capacity: 300m/3000m/6000m, 7000m Hardcopy Documentation
and 10000m on request Optional Sensors:
Platform Dimensions: Temperature Sensor 4060
300m version (SW): H: 356mm OD: 139mm Range: -4-36°C (32-96.8°F)4)
2000m version (IW): H: 352mm OD: 140mm Resolution: 0.001°C (0.0018°F)
6000m version (DW): H: 368mm OD: 143mm Accuracy: ±0.03°C (0.054°F)
External Materials: Response Time 63%): < 2 seconds
300m version: PET, Titanium, Stainless Steel 316, Conductivity Sensor 4319
Durotong DT322 polyurethane Range: 0-7.5 S/m
3000/6000m version: Titanium, Stainless steel 316, Resolution: 0.0002 S/m
Durotong DT322 polyurethane Accuracy
Weight: In Air In Water 4319 A: ±0.005 S/m
300m version (SW): 7.6 kg 2.0 kg 4319 B: ±0.0018 S/m
2000m version (IW): 11.5 kg 5.2 kg Response Time: <3s5)
Wave and Tide Sensor 5217/5218
6000m version (DW): 12.4 kg 7.2 kg
Tide: Range: 0-60MPa (0-8700psia)
Supply Voltage: 6– 14 Volts
wave max: 1000kPa (145psia)
Operating Temperature: -5 to +50°C Resolution : <0,0001% FSO
Accuracy: ±0,02% FSO
ZPulse Doppler Current Sensor (DCS) Specifications Wave: Sampling rate: 2Hz, 4Hz
Current Speed: (Vector averaged) No. of samples: 256, 512,
Range: 0-300 cm/s, higher range on 1024, 2048
request Pressure Sensor 4117
Resolution: 0.1 mm/s Resolution: <0.0001% FSO
Mean Accuracy: ± 0.15 cm/s Accuracy: ±0.02° FSO
Relative: ± 1% of reading 4117A Range: 0 – 1000kPa (0 – 145 psia)6)
Statistic variance (std): 0.3 cm/s (ZPulse mode), 0.45 cm/s 1) 4117B Range: 0 – 4000kPa (0 – 580 psia)
Current Direction: 4117C Range: 0 – 10000kPa (0 – 1450 psia)6)
Range: 0 – 360° magnetic 4117D Range: 0 – 20000kPa (0 – 2900 psia)
Resolution: 0.01° 4117E Range: 0 – 40000kPa (0 – 5800 psia)6)
Accuracy: ±2° 4117F Range: 0 – 60000kPa (0 – 8700 psia)
Tilt Circuitry: Turbidity Sensor 4112: 0-5V Analog Output
Range: 0-90° 4112 Range: 0-25 FTU
Resolution: 0.01° 4112A Range: 0-125 FTU
Accuracy: ±1.5°2) 4112B Range: 0-500 FTU
4112C Range: 0-2000 FTU7)
Acoustics:
Oxygen Optode 4835/4330:
Frequency: 1.9 to 2.0 MHz O2-Concentration Air Saturation
Power: 25 Watts in 1ms pulses Measurement Range: 0 – 500 mM 0 - 150%
Beam angle (main lobe): 2° Resolution: < 1 mM 0.4 %
Installation distance: Accuracy: <8 mM or 5%8) <5 %9)
From surface: 0.75m whichever is greater
From bottom: 0.5m Response Time (63%): 4330F (with fast response foil) <8 sec
Accessories Included: SeaGuard Studio 4835/4330 (with standard foil) <25 sec
SD card: 2 GB
Alkaline Battery 3988 1)
Based on 300 pings
Documentation on CD Calibrated range 0-350
2)
3)
Breaking strength 4044: 800 kg, 3824A: 8000kg
Carry handle 4132 4)
Extended range available on request.
5)
Dependent on flow through cell bore
Optional Accessories: Carry handle 4032,3965 6)
Available on request
Mooring frame: In-line 40443)/3824A3) Sensor is non-linear above 750 FTU
7)
8)
Requires salinity compensation for salinity < 1mS/cm
Clamp on frame 9)
Within calibrated range 0-120%
Illustrations and Descriptions
The ZPulse Doppler Current Sensor (DCS) is the
standard sensor on the SeaGuard RCM. The
sensor outputs Absolute Current Speed and
Direction, Speed in east and north direction, Ping
count, and extensive readout of quality control
parameters such as Single-ping Standard deviation,
Heading, Tilt in X- and Y-direction, and Signal
Strength.

The SeaGuard RCM utilizes the wellknown Dop-

pler Shift principle as basis for its measurements. Four transducers transmit short pulses (pings) of
acoustic energy along narrow beams (600, 300, 150,
or 50 pings in each recording interval). The same
transducers receive backscattered signals from
scatteres that are present in the beams, which are
used for calculation of the current speed and direction.

The scattering particles are normally plankton,

gas bubbles, organisms and particles stemming
from man-made activity.
Fastening Knob
To minimize the effect of marine fouling and local
turbulence, the ZPulse DCS starts measuring the
horizontal current in an area of 0.4 to 1.0 meter
ZPulse DCS 4520 from the instrument, see figure above.

Handle The SeaGuard RCM has been tested together with a

RCM 9 to compare the measurement results. The
deployment was performed during a weekend
in a fjord outside Bergen. The graph below shows
Optional Sensors the absolute speed of both instruments. The
pink graph represents the SeaGuard RCM, while
C-Clamp with screw the blue represents the RCM 9. In this test the
SeaGuard was set to transmit 150 ping during
Mooring Frame 4044 each recording interval, while the RCM 9 was set
to transmit 300 ping. Although the SeaGuard only
transmitted half as many pings compared to the
RCM 9, the two instruments gave very similar results.
Lower ping count reduces power consumption.
Pressure Case
0
6 0
S

Zink Anode
R

Note!
If application requires breaking strength of
more than 800 kg, mount the SeaGuard RCM in Comparision between data measured by a SeaGuard RCM
an in-line mooring frame 3824A. Remember to (pink) and a RCM 9 (blue). The graph is showing absolute
change the handles. speed measured in a fjord outside Bergen, Norway.
Applications
The most common way to use the SeaGuard RCM
is in an in-line mooring configuration. As it operates
under a tilt up to 35º from vertical, it has a variety of
in-line mooring applications by use of surface buoy
or sub surface buoy. The instrument is installed in a
mooring frame that allows easy installation and
removal of the instrument without disassembly of
the mooring line.

Drop line is conveniently done due to its compact

design, low drag force and easy handling. The
instrument can be lowered into the sea from a
small boat using a simple winch.

Data can be stored internally and read after retrieval.

SeaGuard RCM can also be used in a bottom frame
mooring (non-magnetic).

Seaguard RCM

SEAGUARD Studio
• Import deployment data collected by the
SeaGuard RCM from a SD card.
• Display configuration setting used in the
depoyment.
• Display listed data.
• Possible to show data from several instruments
at the same time for comparative studies.
• Export data to Matlab.
• Export data to ASCII text files.
• Print or export graphs in different formats.
• Copy graphs to the clipboard for inclusion into
other programs such as Word, Excel or similar.
• Save edited sessions.
• Calculate virtual parameters.
Aanderaa Real Time
The data message from the instrument is in XML
format. A user application can access the Aanderaa Example of SeaGuard Studio presenting absolute speed
Real-Time Collector over the Internet or Intranet. data measured with a SeaGuard RCM.
Each user application will experience an individual
connection to the instrument data due to a queue
management system in the collector. One license
per SeaGuard instrument serves multiple user
applications. Including Aanderaa Real-Time
Collector, Aanderaa Real-Time Viewer, Style
Sheets and example application (See B163)

Visit our Web site for the latest version Aanderaa Data Instruments AS
of this document and more information Sanddalsringen 5b, P.O. Box 103 Midtun,
www.aanderaa.no 5828 Bergen, Norway
Tel +47 55 60 48 00
Aanderaa is a trademark of Xylem Inc. or one of its subsidiaries.
© 2012 Xylem, Inc. D368 February 2014 Fax +47 55 60 48 01