OBSIDIAN 4X-36X

OBSIDIAN 4X
OBSIDIAN 4X-36X
Obsidian 4X/8X/12X/24X/36X
Next Generation of Web Based,
High Dynamic Range, GPS/PTP Ready,
Multi-Channel Recorders
Ready for the right tool for the job?

The Obsidian 4X/8X is Kinemetrics’ NEW seismic recorder and a

new paradigm in open-architecture seismic data acquisition systems
defining the World’s Next Generation of seismic products. It is designed
to give you the flexibility required by the earthquake monitoring
solutions of tomorrow, being the most versatile seismic recorder of FEATURES
today. No more and no less than you need.

You expect outstanding data fidelity and spectral purity. High

accuracy data timing is of course required. But it goes beyond that. • 3 +1 sensor channels recorder (Obsidian 4X) or 2 x (3+1) sensor
There are several standard recorded data formats to select from, or channels recorder (Obsidian 8X)
you can add your own. On the fly processing of parametric data • 24-bit Delta Sigma converter, one per channel
using your algorithms. Interface to major data center software • Built-in GPS/GNSS, built-in PTP
packages using their protocols. For timing use GPS where it makes
sense and/or PTP when several units are connected via Ethernet • Record and communicate multiple sample rates
along with DC power. • Multiple data formats and telemetry protocols
• Ultra-Low latency data for Earthquake Early Warning Systems
And when you’re ready to get into Earthquake Early Warning Systems * 0.1sec data packet
(EEWS), the Obsidian 4X/8X is ready too. Balance communications
* 0.01sec DFS at 100sps
bandwidth and data latency with not one but two mechanisms to
deliver ultra-low latency data. • Streamlined Station Maintenance (SSM)
• Data offloaded automatically to removable thumb drives
Why struggle with limited keypads and hard to read displays when connected to a USB host port. Parallel recording (mirroring) data
you’re usually not there anyway? Access the system using your favorite on an external USB thumb drive.
web browser remotely or locally and wirelessly. Where it makes sense • Wireless communications via USB based Wi-Fi
to retrieve data locally, do it with a simple thumb drive without • Extensive state-of-health monitoring, including input and system
commands or buttons. voltages, internal temperature, humidity, communication link
diagnostics
And for those whose job it is to maintain the station we developed • Application Programming Interface (API) to develop your
Streamlined Station Maintenance (SSM) that allows you to use your own add-on software modules. You can customize real-
browser to log maintenance activities such as software updates, site time data processing,  file formats, stream data using your
inspections, or battery replacements right on the unit. These logs can own protocol, shape data with a custom filter, and so on.
be automatically uploaded to your data center for archiving, reducing • IP Security through SSH and SSL
paper work in the field. • Optional Terminal strips for easy sensor connection
• Transient and EMI/RFI protection on all connections
Choose from a suite of built-in Kinemetrics features, add-on packages
from trusted providers or expand the capabilities of the system yourself. • System Status LEDs
It’s the open-architecture seismic data acquisition system! • Rugged aluminum extruded case designed for 1m drop and
1m temporary immersion (IP67)
Quanterra and Kinemetrics data acquisition products provide data • Designed for RoHS Compliance and easy re-cycling
availability of over 99% in several large networks year after year. Our • Designed for the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
users will tell you so.

Continued
 OBSIDIAN
OBSIDIAN
4X-36X
4X
OBSIDIAN 4X-36X
SPECIFICATIONS

Channels Communications
Number: 4, 8, 12, 24 and 36 Ethernet interface:   Real Time Telemetry (Multiple destinations TCP/IP
Input level: 5Vpp, 10Vpp, 40Vpp Differential Input                               Protocol), Parameter set up, and event retrieval (FTP/
                              SFTP) RS-232 interface: Real Time Telemetry (over
Data Acquisition                               modem, radio, etc.), Parameter set up, and event
Type:                      Individual 24-bit Delta Sigma converter per channel                               retrieval
bandwidth-optimized 32-bit data path
Modem:                  Built in modem, Remote access, initiated by user or by
Anti-alias filter:        Double Precision FIR Filter Causal/Acausal;
                              the Obsidian
>140 dB attenuation at output Nyquist
Telemetry:               Real-time data via DFS, SEEDLink, Earthworm, Antelope
Dynamic range:       200 sps ~127 dB (RMS clip to RMS noise - Typical)
                              compatible ORB server, or Altus SDS protocols.
100 sps ~130 dB (RMS clip to RMS noise - Typical)
Frequency response: DC to 80 Hz @ 200 sps Instrument Software
Sampling rates:       1, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 sps Type:                      Multi-tasking operating system supports simultaneous
Channel skew:         None – simultaneous sampling of all channels                               acquisition and interrogation; allows remote
Acquisition modes: Continuous, triggered, time windows                               and automatic firmware upgrades
Output data format: 24 bit signed (3 bytes) in user selectable format Security:                 Supports SSH and SSL
Parameter calculations: Calculations of key parameters in real- time, System control:       Configure sample rate, filter type, trigger type and
            including JMA intensity                               voting, maintains communications and event storage
File formats:           Kinemetrics EVT, MiniSEED, SAC, COSMOS,
Real time digital output: Ethernet or RS-232 output of digital stream
                              MATLAB, SUDS, SEISAN, ASCII, others
Trigger Intelligent alerting:   Initiate communications when an event is detected or if an
Type:                      IIR bandpass filter (three types available)                               auto-diagnostic failure occurs
Trigger selection:     Independently selected for each channel Auto-diagnostics:    Continuously check system voltages, temperature, humidity,
Threshold trigger:    Selectable from 0.01% to 100% of full scale                               and timing system integrity
Trigger voting:         Internal, external and network trigger votes with Rapid setup:           Can be configured from a parameter file
                              arithmetic combination System timing:       Supports PTP Slave and PTP Master timing (Using
Additional trigger:    STA/LTA, Time Window                               Internal GPS as Master clock), NTP and External 1PPS
Timing
Type:                      Oscillator digitally locked to GPS/GNSS or PTP: I/O and Display
                              Integrates completely with system, providing timing, Power input:            Mil-style connector for DC power input, external
                              internal oscillator correction and position information.                               battery connection, Power over Ethernet (Option)
Shared timing:         3 Ports for shared timing for multiple local units Interfaces:               10/100 BaseT Ethernet Port
(M12 connectors)    3 x USB 2.0 Host Ports
Accuracy:    <1 microseconds of UTC with GPS/GNSS or PTP                               USB 2.0 Device
Storage                               3 x RS-232
Data slot:                Internal SDHC Card Slot, standard 32 GB                               DFS Port (RS232)
System slot:           Internal SDHC Card Slot, 4 GB                               Linux Console (RS232)
Recording capacity: Approximately 42 kB per channel per minute on                               POTS Modem
                              Memory Card of 24-bit data @ 200 sps.                               3 x Time/Power Ports (1PPS In/Out, Switched Power)
                              (33 days of 4x200sps recording on 8GB Data card)                               GPS Antenna (TNC)
SDHC Format: Linux EXT4 EMI/RFI protection: All I/O lines EMI/RFI and transient protected
Data:                      Offloaded automatically to removable thumb drives LED:                       System, power and event status, Ethernet Link & Data
                              connected to a USB host port. Parallel recording
                              (mirroring) data on an external USB thumb drive.
USB drives format:  FAT32

Continued
 OBSIDIAN 4X-36X
OBSIDIAN 4X
OBSIDIAN 4X-36X

SPECIFICATIONS

Power Supply Support Software

Type:                      Internal high efficiency switched power supply and File Viewer*:   Multiplatform program for rapid review of waveforms
                              battery charger system with extensive SOH outputs                               and event information.
DC input:                9-28 VDC (>15.5VDC for Battery Charger Operation) Antelope:                Comprehensive commercial network operational and
External AC/DC:      Universal Input 100-250 VAC 50/60 Hz                               management system for medium and large networks
Power module:        Output 15.5 VDC Earthworm:             Comprehensive public domain network operational and
Internal battery        Digitally temperature compensated output for External                               management system for medium and large networks
charger:                  Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) batteries with reverse Rock Monitor                     
                              protection and deep discharge recovery. Professional: Rock network operation and monitoring tool
Fuses:                    None. Uses resettable Polyswitch protection
Current drain:          180ma @12V (Obsidian 4X w/o sensors) Rockhound:            Commercial open architecture user-extensible real-time
                              data collection and processing software that runs on a
Environment                               variety of computers
Operating temp: -20° to 70°C Operation PSD:                      Commercial Pseudo Spectral Density software for
Humidity: 0-100% RH (Non-condensing)                               earthquake data analysis
SMA:                      Commercial Strong Motion Analyst software for
Physical                               earthquake data analysis and processing
K2COSMOS*:         Conversion software from Altus EVT fi le format to
Size: Obsidian 4X: 14ʺ (L) x 5.5ʺ (D) x 6.8ʺ (H)
                              COSMOS v1.20 format (COSMOS format can also be
Obsidian 8X: 19” (L) x 7.5” (D) x 6.8” (H) produced natively from the Obsidian)
Enclosure rating: IP67 Equivalent Miscellaneous:        Format converters to ASCII and other formats. Web
Environmental: RoHS Compliant Unit                               Server for command and control, Optional Software
Development Kit and Compilers. Contact Kinemetrics for
other options. *No charge

Specifications subject to change without notice

USA - 222 Vista Ave., Pasadena, CA 91107 Switzerland - Z.I. Le Tresi 6B, 1028 Preverenges
Tel (626)795-2220 I Fax (626)795-0868 Tel +41 (21) 803-2829 I www.kinemetrics.com
06-01-20