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Building Blocks
Coastal's building block approach to state of the art
field data collection uses completely modular hardware and software
architecture to create an instrument that fits the needs of the customer.
This versatile approach simplifies production of both the standard
and custom configurations of the Series.
Standard configurations include, but are
not limited to: tide gauges,
wave gauges, turbidometers, accelerometers, current meters, CTDs,
temperature recorders, directional wave gauges and wind gauges.
A few of the many advantages of this system include:
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Economy.
The Standard Series
greatly defrays development costs. |
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Reliability.
The completely solid-state design uses proven logger and
sensors. |
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Convenience.
User-friendly
Wizard PC software controls all instruments. |
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Versatility.
Options, upgrades, and customization is a simple process.
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This results in equipment that is sophisticated yet
simple, powerful yet practical, economical yet high-quality.
Most importantly, Coastal's instruments are reliable and extremely
easy to use. |
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Hardware Blocks
Building upon the
principles of providing instruments with the economy, reliability,
convenience and versatility Coastal's hardware blocks make up the physical
components of a Coastal unit.
Each instrument can be characterized by:
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Capacity.
Storage
of tens of thousands to millions of samples.
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Sensors.
Wide
range of field proven sensors determines function.
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Sampling.
Microprocessor runs sampling, averaging, bursts, and storage.
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Communications.
Internal recording,
telemetry, or networked options.
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Power.
Units run for months
or longer using alkaline batteries.
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Housing.
Self-contained equipment
suitable for a range of environments. |
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Software Blocks
Coastal's Wizard
software runs any of our building block instruments.
Wizard runs on DOS and uses windows, graphics, and help keys for
many user friendly functions:
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Read. Post-deployment download
of data from instrument to computer.
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Examine. Basic data review tools, including plots with tabular
listings.
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Initialize. Establishment of deployment sampling scheme and duration.
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Monitor. Display of sensed data in real time and engineering units.
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Process. Conversion of data to engineering units, saved in ASCII
files.
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Companion PCSpec and
PCSpec+ software for nondirectional and directional wave measurements
provide spectral analysis capability.
Related programs, such as Wizard+, provide real time displays and
telemetry. |
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Standard
Configurations
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MacroAccl.
Measures and records 3-axis acceleration in a burst mode.
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MacroCTD.
Low or high precision CTD.
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MacroFlow.
Dual axis vector average or direct reading current meter.
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MacroLite.
Uses an optical backscatter turbidometer for sediment studies.
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MacroMets.
Wind speed, direction, barometric pressure, relative humidity,
and temp.
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MacroQual.
Records temperature and DO levels for water quality studies.
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MacroSpec.
Bursting directional wave gauge.
Also tides, temps and currents.
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MacroTemp.
Records water temperature or internal waves.
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MacroTide.
Records temperature and water depth.
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MacroTilt.
Dual axis inclinometer with compass.
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MacroWave.
Bursting directional wave gauge.
Also tides and temps.
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MacroWind.
Vector averaging wind package with or without compass. |
View
the specification chart of all of our
standard MacroSeries instruments. |
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Custom
Configurations
All
types of data collection requirements and sensor preferences can be
accomodated. Modified,
special, semi, or fully customized configurations are available.
Coastal's highly flexible, modular, building block system for
hardware and software minimizes the cost of custom systems.
Real time telemetry, networking, and data capacity to 60 MB or more
are all readily accomplished with new Macro Series.
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