User manual

SBE 11plus V2
Deck Unit for use with SBE 9plus

Document No. SBE11plusV2

Release Date: 2023-04-13
Version: A
Software: Seasoft V2

425-643-9866
seabird.com
 Table of Contents

Section 1 Safety information ............................................................................................................ 3

1.1 Hazard information....................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Equipment labels.......................................................................................................................... 3
Section 2 Specifications .................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Deck Unit specifications.............................................................................................................. 5
2.2 Cable descriptions........................................................................................................................ 5
Section 3 Description of SBE 911plus ........................................................................................... 7
3.1 Deck Unit front panel.................................................................................................................... 8
3.2 Deck Unit back panel................................................................................................................. 10
3.3 System communications............................................................................................................ 10
Section 4 Connect cables on SBE 11plus system .................................................................... 13
4.1 Cable, winch, deck gear............................................................................................................. 13
4.2 Connect system components..................................................................................................... 13
Section 5 Set up and configure system ....................................................................................... 15
5.1 Seaterm commands................................................................................................................... 15
5.2 Set up and configure CTD ......................................................................................................... 17
5.3 Set up and configure NMEA....................................................................................................... 17
5.3.1 Test NMEA in Seasave..................................................................................................... 18
5.3.2 NMEA interface commands...............................................................................................19
5.3.3 NMEA message format..................................................................................................... 20
5.4 Set up and configure Surface PAR in Seaterm.......................................................................... 21
5.4.1 Surface PAR commands................................................................................................... 21
5.4.2 Set up and configure PAR in Seasave.............................................................................. 22
5.5 Set up and configure remote output........................................................................................... 22
5.5.1 Set up and configure pressure frequency and pressure temperature............................... 22
5.5.1.1 Pressure frequency and pressure temperature command....................................... 22
5.5.1.2 Pressure frequency and pressure temperature data format..................................... 22
5.5.2 Set up and configure Converted Data Output (CDO)........................................................ 22
5.5.2.1 CDO status commands............................................................................................ 24
5.5.2.2 CDO coefficients commands.................................................................................... 24
5.5.2.3 CDO general setup commands................................................................................ 26
5.5.2.4 CDO diagnostic command....................................................................................... 26
5.5.2.5 CDO alarm commands............................................................................................. 27
5.6 Set up water sampler................................................................................................................. 27
5.6.1 Set up Deck Unit receiver and modem dip switches......................................................... 27
5.6.2 Set up water sampler in Seasave......................................................................................28
5.7 Set up RS232 data uplink.......................................................................................................... 29
5.7.1 Serial data sensor requirements....................................................................................... 30
5.7.2 SBE 9plus CTD requirements........................................................................................... 30
5.7.3 SBE 11plus Deck Unit requirements................................................................................. 30
5.7.4 SBE 911 system limits.......................................................................................................31
Section 6 System operation ............................................................................................................33
6.1 Collect real-time data and fire bottles from Seasave................................................................. 33
6.2 Fire bottles from Deck Unit......................................................................................................... 34
6.2.1 SBE 32 carousel................................................................................................................34
6.2.2 G.O. 1015 rosette.............................................................................................................. 35
6.2.3 G.O. 1016 rosette.............................................................................................................. 35
6.3 Control pump manually.............................................................................................................. 35
6.4 Process data.............................................................................................................................. 36
Section 7 Data formats .....................................................................................................................37

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Table of Contents

7.1 Deck Unit LED display format.................................................................................................... 37

7.2 Raw data format......................................................................................................................... 38
7.2.1 IEEE488 data format......................................................................................................... 38
7.2.2 RS232 data format............................................................................................................ 40
7.2.3 NMEA data format............................................................................................................. 40
7.2.4 Pressure frequency and pressure temperature data format..............................................41
7.2.5 Converted data output data format....................................................................................41
7.3 Calculate engineering units in Seasave..................................................................................... 42
7.4 Calculate engineering units in Data Processing software.......................................................... 42
Section 8 Troubleshooting ..............................................................................................................43
8.1 Cannot see data in Seasave...................................................................................................... 43
8.2 Deck Unit does not operate........................................................................................................ 43
8.3 Deck Unit overflow light is on..................................................................................................... 43
8.4 Cannot communicate with CTD................................................................................................. 44
8.5 Data LED does not turn on......................................................................................................... 44
8.6 RS232 does not work................................................................................................................. 45
8.7 IEEE488 does not work.............................................................................................................. 45
8.8 Modem channel does not work.................................................................................................. 45
8.9 Error message: unsupported modem......................................................................................... 46
8.10 Scan length error in Data Processing...................................................................................... 46
8.11 NMEA Interface does not work................................................................................................ 46
8.11.1 NMEA message simulation program............................................................................... 46
Section 9 Command summary ....................................................................................................... 49
9.1 Commands sent automatically by Seasave............................................................................... 51
Section 10 General information ..................................................................................................... 55
10.1 Warranty................................................................................................................................... 55
10.2 Service and support................................................................................................................. 55
10.3 China RoHS disclosure table................................................................................................... 55
10.4 Spare parts and accessories.................................................................................................... 56

2
Section 1 Safety information
Please read this entire manual before this equipment is unpacked, set up, or operated.
Pay attention to all danger, warning, and caution statements. Failure to do so could result
in serious injury to the operator or damage to the equipment.

DANGER
Indicates a potentially or imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death
or serious injury.

WARNING
Indicates a potentially or imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury.

CAUTION
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that may result in minor or moderate injury.

NOTICE
Indicates a situation which, if not avoided, may cause damage to equipment. Information that
requires special emphasis.

1.1 Hazard information

DANGER
Life-threatening voltages of over 250 VDC are on the sea cable and the Deck Unit when it is on,
and will persist for up to 1 minute after it is turned off.

DANGER
Make a separate ground connection between the Deck Unit and an isolated power ground.
Connect the separate ground wire from the hull of the ship to the protected ground terminal on the
back of the Deck Unit. Use a minimum of 20 AWG wire and a ring terminal.

NOTICE
The manufacturer is not responsible for any damages due to misapplication of misuse of this
product including, without limitation, direct, incidental and consequential damages, and disclaims
such damages to the full extent permitted under applicable law. The user is solely responsible to
identify critical application risks and install appropriate mechanisms to protect process during a
possible equipment malfunction.

1.2 Equipment labels

Read all labels and tags attached to the equipment. Personal injury or damage to the
equipment could occur if not observed. A symbol on the equipment is referenced in the
manual with a precautionary statement.
Electrical equipment marked with this symbol may not be disposed of in European domestic or public disposal
systems. Return old or end-of-life equipment to the manufacturer at no charge to the user.

3
Safety information

EFUP: Hazardous material exists over the threshold of GB/T 26572.2011. The number in the center of
the symbol is the Environmentally Friendly Use Period as specified by SJ/T 11364-2014, China's
marking for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products.
This product should be recycled after its environmentally friendly use period.

4
Section 2 Specifications

2.1 Deck Unit specifications

Power requirements 120 VAC at 60 Hz, 1.75 A or

240 VAC at 50 Hz 1 A switchable
Sea cable compatibility Single- or multi-core armored cable to 10000 m long with inner core resistance of up to 350 ohms
Dimensions 14.3 cm tall, 37.5 cm deep, 44.4 cm wide cabinet.
48.3 cm edge-to-edge for mounting brackets (distance centerline to centerline of mounting holes
46.4 cm)
Operation environment • indoor use
• altitude max: 2000 m
• 5 °C to 40 °C
• relative humidity max 80% (non-condensing)
• Mains supply voltage: ±10%

2.2 Cable descriptions

DB-9 to DB-9 null modem cable, serial data uplink

Deck Unit Function

Pin 3 TX to PC
Pin 5 Common

2-contact to DB9: NMEA input connector on SBE 11 to PC.

Deck Unit Function

Pin A NMEA signal A
Pin B NMEA signal return B

5-contact to DB9 test cable: remote out connector on SBE 11 to PC

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Specifications

Deck Unit Function

Pin A Ground
Pin B CDO RS232 RX
Pin C CDO RS232 TX
Pin D Raw pressure RS232 TX
Pin E Power, +12 VDC

5-contact to 4-contact: SBE 11 to surface PAR sensor

Deck Unit Function Surface PAR

Pin A Signal ground Pin 3
Pin B Power, +12V Pin 4
Pin C Power ground* Pin 1
Pin D Signal Pin 2
— — Pin 5

* Deck Units with digital PCB assembly 40937C or greater, use pin C.

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Section 3 Description of SBE 911plus
The SBE 11plus V2 is the Deck Unit used with the SBE 9plus CTD for real-time data
collection. The 11plus and 9plus can also be used with the 17plus V2 Searam for in-situ
data collection.
The Deck Unit supplies DC power to and processes the serial data from the CTD. The
Deck Unit uses the RS488 or RS232 standard to transmit the data to a PC. The user can
select 120 or 240 VAC at 50/60 Hz for continuous operation that shows on the front
panel.
The 11plus Deck Unit functions include—
• A 300 baud modem interface for power and real-time control of a SBE 32 Carousel or
G.O. 1010 or 1016 Rosette water sampler or remote serial output device. The modem
controls the water sampler through the Deck Unit or the Seasave software. Bottles
can be fired in sequence or, for SBE 32 and G.O. 1016, in any order. The interface
must be installed in the Deck Unit and CTD.
• An NMEA interface that merges position data and CTD data. The latitude and
longitude output from navigation devices that support the NMEA 0183 standard is
decoded and appended to the CTD data in the Deck Unit, then transmitted to a PC.
• A/D converter for a surface PAR sensor. The Deck Unit supplies 12 V to the sensor,
and merges data from the PAR and CTD.
• Tape recorder to record the digital data on a cassette recorder or VCR.
• Two remote output options:
• The Deck Unit transmits pressure frequency and pressure temperature 24 times
per second, and can be used to control a towed vehicle.
• Any combination of temperature, conductivity, pressure, depth, salinity, sound
velocity, and altimeter height, in engineering units.
• An audible alarm, based on data from an optional bottom contact switch connected to
the CTD. Data from an altimeter connected to the CTD can also be used.
• An optional RS232 serial data interface that transmits data from a remote device
connected to the CTD. The 300 baud modem must be installed to use this interface.
• Seasoft V2 software, which includes:
• Seaterm, a terminal program to set up the system.
• Seasave V7, to collect, convert, and show real-time or stored raw data.
• SBE Data Processing, to calculate and make plots of conductivity, temperature,
pressure, data from auxiliary sensors, and derived measurements such as sound
velocity and salinity.

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Description of SBE 911plus

Figure 1 Schematic of 911plus system with water sampler

3.1 Deck Unit front panel

1. Power—turns power to the Deck Unit on or off.

2. Word Select—thumbwheel switch to select any sensor channel data buffer status, or
other diagnostics in the Word Display.
3. Word Display—LED display that shows data words such as uncorrected frequencies,
A/D voltages and data buffer status.
4. NMEA—LED display that flashes each time an NMEA message is correctly decoded.
5. Overflow—LED display that turns on when the output buffer has overfilled because
the PC did not take data from the Deck Unit fast enough. When this occurs, some
data is lost and cannot be retrieved. The LED stays on until the Reset button is
pushed or a "reset" command is received.
6. Receive—LED flashes when the Deck Unit receives characters from the PC.
7. Transmit—LED flashes when the Deck Unit transmits data to the PC.
8. Error—LED flashes when data from the CTD is incorrect, for example, the modulo
count shows a skipped scan.
9. Data—LED stays on when data is received by the Deck Unit.
• In general, if the Data LED is on and the Error LED is off, the CTD and telemetry
link function correctly.
10. Alarm—Buzzer that comes on based on alarm logic for the bottom contact switch.

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 Description of SBE 911plus

11. SBE or G.O.—LED stays on to show which water sampler is controlled by SW1 on
the Deck Unit or Modem.
12. Home/Arm—Push-button LED. Operation varies for type of water sampler.
13. Fire—Push-button LED. Operation varies with the type of water sampler.
SBE 32 Carousel
• The Home/Arm button resets the Carousel so it will close the bottle at position
#1 the next time the Fire button is pushed. When the Deck Unit receives
confirmation from the Carousel, the Home/Arm LED comes on and stays on until
you fire the first bottle.
• The Fire button causes the Carousel to fire and closes the next position bottle.
When the Deck Unit receives confirmation from the Carousel, the Fire LED
comes on and stays on until the next time you push Fire or Home/Arm.
• When the Carousel is fired from the software, the Fire LED comes on for
5 seconds after the Deck Unit receives confirmation from the Carousel.
G.O. 1015 Rosette
• The Home/Arm button turns on the Rosette. The LED comes on 15 seconds
later, when the Deck Unit receives confirmation from the Rosette that the pylon is
turned on and is ready to fire. The Home/Arm LED stays on until you push the
Fire button. You must turn on the power to the Rosette each time you fire a
bottle.
• The Fire button causes the Rosette to fire and closes the next bottle. When the
Deck Unit receives confirmation from the Rosette, the Fire LED comes on and
stays on until the next time you push Home/Arm. The Fire button is active only
when the Home/Arm LED is on.
• When the Rosette is fired from the software, the Fire LED comes on for
5 seconds after the Deck Unit receives confirmation from the Rosette.
G.O. 1016 Rosette
• The Home/Arm button resets the Rosette and causes the arm to move to the
Home position, ready to fire bottle #1 with an offset specified by SW1 on the
Deck Unit Receiver/Modem. When the Deck Unit receives confirmation from the
Rosette that the pylon is turned on and is ready to fire. The Home/Arm LED
comes on and stays on until you fire the first bottle.
• The Fire button causes the Rosette to fire and closes the next bottle. When the
Deck Unit receives confirmation from the Rosette, the Fire LED comes on and
stays on until the next time you push Home/Arm.
• When the Rosette is fired from the software, the Fire LED comes on for
5 seconds after the Deck Unit receives confirmation from the Rosette.
14. Carrier—LED comes on and stays on when the Deck Unit modem receives a signal
from the CTD modem. This applies to communication with water sampler or remote
serial sensor.
15. Reset—Push this button to reset the system: the output buffers are erased and input
stops until instructions are received from the PC. Always push Reset before a CTD
cast. If the system is not reset, old data from a previous cast may be the first
transmitted to the PC. The Seasave software does this reset automatically before
each cast.
16. Signal Source—Put this switch in "Fish" position to get data from the CTD. Put the
switch in "Tape" position to hear data stored to an audio recorder.

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Description of SBE 911plus

3.2 Deck Unit back panel

1. AC Voltage—Selector switch for 120 VAC at 50 Hz or 240 VAC at 60 Hz.

2. AC Input—Plug for power to Deck Unit.
3. Fuse—5 x 20 mm, 250 VAC Slow-blow; 2 amp for 120 V, 1 amp for 240 V.
4. SBE 11 Interface—Channel between the Deck Unit and the PC. Communicates with
the CTD. Note: Seaterm software works with RS232 only.
5. Tape Recorder—Connects to an audio tape recorder or VCR. Connect the tape
recorder's "Line In" to the Deck Unit "Record," and "Line Out" to "Play." The two jacks
on the Deck Unit are internally connected in parallel, so there is a redundant
connection to a typical recorder's stereo channels: recordings are error-free even if
the second channel is used for voice annotation.
6. Serial Data Uplink—Gives RS232 output from the Deck Unit for an RS232 sensor
connected to the CTD. A modem channel and jumper changes are required. If the
jumpers are set for this function, data output cannot occur through the Tape
Recorder.
7. Modem Channel—An RS232 connection between the Deck Unit and PC used to
communicate with a water sampler.
8. Sea Cable—Connects to CTD. The fuse is 3AG, 300 VDC Fast-acting 0.5 A. Only
replace with Littelfuse Corp. 312.500.
9. Remote Out—There are two outputs:
a. Pressure frequency and pressure temperature, to control a towed vehicle.
b. Any combination of temperature, conductivity, pressure, depth, salinity, sound
velocity, and altimeter height. The output is in engineering units.
10. NMEA Input—Connects to an NMEA 0183 navigation device that can be connected
to either the Deck Unit or the PC.
11. Surface PAR Input—Connects to a Surface PAR sensor.

3.3 System communications

This is a graphical summary of the communication for a 911plus system. Note that an
NMEA device can be connected directly to a PC in the Seasave V7 version 7.17 and
newer.

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Description of SBE 911plus

11
Description of SBE 911plus

12
Section 4 Connect cables on SBE 11plus system

DANGER
Life-threatening voltages of over 250 VDC are on the sea cable and the Deck Unit when it is on,
and will persist for up to 1 minute after it is turned off.

DANGER
Make a separate ground connection between the Deck Unit and an isolated power ground.
Connect the separate ground wire from the hull of the ship to the protected ground terminal on the
back of the Deck Unit. Use a minimum of 20 AWG wire and a ring terminal.

4.1 Cable, winch, deck gear

The manufacturer of the Deck Unit does not supply winches and deck gear and does not
have recommendations for a block or A-frame.
Cable
Only one conductor is required for the armored cable, because the armor is used as a
ground. The total two-way resistance should be less than 350 ohms. The mechanical
requirements are affected by the properties of the winch and the weight of the system to
be lifted.
Winch
The winch should have a level-wind device that is adjustable or designed to lay the
correct number of wraps across the drum. The cable diameter and the drum width
determine this value. The winch must have a slip-ring, (a contact that rotates) assembly
(at least two channels). The cable must have a break strength of at least 5 to 7 times the
maximum load. The user must make the mechanical and electrical cable terminations at
the underwater end.

4.2 Connect system components

The manufacturer supplies metal tabs ("ears") to attach the Deck Unit to a standard 19-
inch electronic bay. Make sure that the cooling fan and the vent are not blocked.
On a ship, cables longer than 3 m should be installed inside a grounded metal conduit by
a qualified electrician. This decreases the possibility of external signals to disrupt
communication and protects high voltage lines such as the sea cable.
CTD to Deck Unit
Terminate the sea cable leads from the winch slip rings with the manufacturer-supplied
MS3106A12S-3P connector. Connect the inner conductor of the cable (positive), to pin B
and the cable armor (negative) to Pin A. Connect the sea cable connector on the back
panel of the Deck Unit. The other end of the sea cable connects to JT1 on the CTD.
PC to Deck Unit
Communication between the PC and the Deck Unit is in two channels. The SBE
11 interface channel (RS232 or IEEE488) sends commands to and receives replies from
the CTD. The modem channel sends commands to and receives replies from the water
sampler or remote serial sensor, through the CTD. Connect the manufacturer-supplied
interface and modem cables on the back panel of the deck unit.
NMEA navigation device to Deck Unit
Connect the NMEA navigation device to the NMEA input connector on the back panel of
the Deck Unit with the manufacturer-supplied MS3106A 12S-3S connector. A navigation
device can be connected directly to a PC as an alternative.
Surface PAR sensor to Deck Unit

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Connect cables on SBE 11plus system

Connect the Surface PAR sensor to the Surface PAR Input connector on the back panel
of the Deck Unit. The manufacturer supplies an MS3106A14S-2P connector if there is no
cable.
Remote Unit to Deck Unit
Connect to the Remote Out connector on the back panel of the Deck Unit. There are two
real-time options:
• Raw pressure—Pressure frequency and pressure temperature, transmitted
24 times/second, to be used to control a towed vehicle.
• Converted data out—any combination of temperature, conductivity, pressure, depth,
salinity, sound velocity, altimeter height, in engineering units. The manufacturer
supplies a MS3106A14S-5P connector if there is no cable. Some of these parameters
will show on the display of a SBE 14 or SBE 46.
Serial Data Uplink to Deck Unit
Connect a PC to the Serial Data Uplink DB9 connector on the back panel of the Deck
Unit with the manufacturer-supplied cable.
CTD to auxiliary sensors
Refer to the 9plus CTD user manual for details about the connections to auxiliary
sensors.
CTD to water sampler
• SBE 32 Carousel: connect from the JT7 connector on the CTD to the 6-contact
connector at the bottom of the Carousel pressure housing.
• G.O. 1015 Rosette: connect from the JT4 connector on the CTD to the Rosette. The
polarity is usually set to "reverse" (cable P/N 17196). Cable P/N 17533 is "normal."
Make sure that the polarity setting on the G.O. 1015 is the same as the polarity of the
cable. Refer to Application Note 35 for details.
• G.O. 1016 Rosette: Connect from the JT7 connector on the CTD to the Rosette.
Power to Deck Unit

NOTICE
Do not connect a Deck Unit set for 120 V to a 240 V power supply. It will cause severe damage to
the Deck Unit.

Verify that the Deck Unit back panel power selector switch is in the correct position for the
mains power source, either 120 or 240 VAC. Connect power to the AC Input connector on
the back panel of the Deck Unit with the manufacturer-supplied cable.

14
Section 5 Set up and configure system
Seasoft V2 software has several components: Seaterm, a terminal launcher; Seasave V7,
for real-time data collection; and SBE Data Processing, to process the collected data.

1. Double-click on SeasoftV2.exe to install the manufacturer-supplied software on the

PC.
2. Connect either the RS232, the Remote Out, the Serial Data Uplink, or the Modem
Channel to the PC. Note that the IEEE488 interface does not work with Seaterm. Use
RS232 to set up sensors in Seaterm.
3. Double-click on Seaterm.exe. If this is the first time that the software is used, a setup
dialog box may show.
4. Select the "Instrument Type" and the PC COM port, then push OK.
5. In the main window, select Configure.
6. Select the interface connected to the PC:
• SBE 11 Interface—RS232 used for general Deck Unit setup.
• SBE 11 Modem
• SBE 11 Remote Out—used to set up the Converted Data Output.
• SBE 11 9600 Baud Uplink—used with the Serial Data Uplink.
The Configuration window shows.
7. Select the COM Port. The Baud Rate is 9600. The Data Bits is 8, and Parity is None.
The Mode is RS232. Push OK.
8. Turn on power to the Deck Unit.
9. Send the "Display Status" (DS) command.
The display in Seaterm:
SBE 11plus V 5.2
number of scans to average = 8
pressure baud rate = 9600
NMEA baud rate = 4800
surface PAR voltage added to scan
A/D offset = 0
GPIB address = 1
advance primary conductivity 0.073 seconds
advance secondary conductivity 0.073 seconds
autorun on power up is disabled
If the system does not respond as shown, verify that the correct interface was
selected and settings were entered correctly in the Configuration Options window,
and that the cable between the PC and the Deck Unit is correctly attached.
10. Use the other Seaterm commands to change the setup as necessary.

5.1 Seaterm commands

Notes:
• An S> prompt shows that the Deck Unit is connected to the PC and is ready for
commands.
• Commands can be entered in upper or lower case.
• When the PC is connected to the SBE 11 Interface, the software does not show
("echo") commands. To make sure commands were received and interpreted
correctly, send DS to see the settings.
Status

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Set up and configure system

DS Show model and firmware version

SBE 11plus V 5.2
number of scans to average = 8 (set to 1 for full data rate of 24 Hz)
PBaud= pressure baud rate = 9600
NMEABaud= NMEA baud rate = 4800
AddSPAR= surface PAR voltage added to scan
Offset= A/D offset = 0
GBIB= GPIB address = 1
AdvanceC0= advance primary conductivity 0.073 seconds
AdvanceC1= advance secondary conductivity 0.073 seconds
AutoRun= autorun on power up is disabled

IEEE488
GPIB=x x=IEEE488 address. Default is 1. Must be set to 1 for Deck Unit to work with Seasave.

Conductivity and Voltage Channel Advance

These commands align data in time, relative to pressure, so calculations of salinity,
dissolved oxygen concentration, and other parameters are made from the same parcel of
water. Alignment is done in the Deck Unit, so the real-time data that is sent to the
software is already aligned. If you save data at the full rate of 24 Hz and additional
alignment is required, use the Align CTD module in the SBE Data Processing software to
correct the data.
CTD systems that support flow-through sensors such as fluorometers may require
different settings. Refer to "Align CTD" in the SBE Data Processing manual and
Application Note 38 to calculate optimal advance values.
AdvanceCn=x n=conductivity channel number, 0 or 1
x=time, seconds, to advance conductivity channel—measurement on a water parcel is delayed because the
TC duct lets water into the sensor after the water as passed the temperature sensor. The delay is constant
since the pump sets a constant flow speed. To compensate for the delay so salinity can be calculated with
minimum spiking, the Deck Unit can advance the conductivity measurement in time to coordinate it with the
applicable temperature measurement. This occurs before any averaging, so a bias error is not introduced in
the calculated salinity.
Manufacturer-set default for 9plus = 0.073 sec (1.75 scans × 1/24).
Example: set advance for primary and secondary conductivity channels to 0.073.
AdvanceC0=0.073
AdvanceC1=0.073

AdvanceVn=x n=A/D channel number, 0–7

x=time, seconds to advance A/D channel, maximum 10 seconds.
Advance A/D channels for auxiliary sensors as needed. Refer to specifications for details on time constants.
SBE 43 oxygen data is frequently delayed with respect to pressure. The two primary causes are the long
time constant of the oxygen sensor (range is 2 seconds at 25 °C to approximately 5 seconds at 0 °C) and an
additional delay from the transit time of water in the pumped plumbing line. This delay can be corrected if
oxygen data is changed relative to pressure. Typical advance for a SBE 43 used with a SBE 9plus is
2–5 seconds.
Example: set advance for A/D voltage channel 0 to 2 seconds, and A/D channel 4 to 0.04.
AdvanceV0=2.0
AdvanceV1=0.04

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 Set up and configure system

NMEA baud rate

NMEABaud=x x= baud rate for communication between the Deck Unit and the NMEA navigation device, 4800 or 9600.

Surface PAR
AddSPAR=x x=Y: Add Surface PAR voltage to CTD data. x=N: do not
Offset=x x=offset voltage, 0–99, used to adjust Surface PAR data for drift in Deck Unit electronics

Pressure baud rate

PBaud=x x=baud rate for pressure frequency and pressure temperature output from Deck Unit. Available rates: 1200,
2400, 4800, 9600, 19200.

Autorun
AutoRun=x x=yes: When power is supplied, automatically send GR to start data collection where data is transmitted into
the RS232C buffer. Do not send and show the response of the status command when power is supplied.
x=n: Default. Wait for a command when power is supplied.
AddNMEA=x x=y: Add 7 bytes of Lat-Lon data to CTD data.
x=n: Do not add Lat-Lon data to CTD data.
Only if AutoRun=y. When AutoRun=n, the software automatically sends NY or NN to enable or disable
NMEA data, based on the setting in the .xmlcon or .con configuration file.

5.2 Set up and configure CTD

The .xmlcon or .con configuration file gives information about the sensor, channels, serial
numbers, and calibration dates and coefficients that the CTD requires. The Seasave
software uses this file to interpret and process data. Information in the .xmlcon or .con file
must be the same as the actual sensor configuration or data will not be processed
correctly.
1. Double-click on Seasave.exe to start the program.
2. Select the Configure Inputs menu item.
3. In the Instrument Configuration tab, push Open.
4. In the dialog box, select either the .xmlcon or .con file and then push Open.
5. The configuration information shows on the Instrument Configuration tab. Verify that
the sensors listed are the same as the sensors on the system and that any auxiliary
sensors have the correct channels.
6. Push Modify to change the configuration or to see or change the calibration
coefficients.

5.3 Set up and configure NMEA

The Deck Unit has an NMEA interface that merges position and CTD data. Messages
from navigation devices that support the NMEA 0183 protocol include GGA, GLL, RMA,
RMC, and TRF NMEA and are automatically decoded by the Deck Unit.

17
Set up and configure system

The decoded latitude and longitude data is appended to the CTD data in the Deck Unit
and transmitted to the PC to be stored and/or shown with CTD data. The NMEA LED light
on the Deck Unit flashes each time data is successfully decoded. This is typically the
same rate that the NMEA data is transmitted. The Deck Unit appends the same NMEA
data multiple times, until a new message is decoded.
• If the Deck Unit communicates with the PC with IEEE488, the navigation data is
appended to each CTD scan transmitted from the Deck Unit to the PC.
• If the Deck Unit communicates with the PC with RS232, the navigation data is
transmitted once per second. In Seasave, the navigation data is then appended to
each CTD scan, so the data is the same as the IEEE488.
Example: The CTD operates at 24 Hz and data is not averaged. A navigation device
transmits the NMEA data every 5 seconds. The NMEA LED flashes every 5 seconds.
• If IEEE488 is used to communicate with the PC, the same message is appended to
each scan of CTD data within that 5 seconds (24 scans/second × 5 seconds =
120 scans that show the same NMEA data).
• If RS232 is used to communicate with the PC, the same message is transmitted
5 times (for instance after CTD scans 1, 25, 49, 73, and 97). The same data is then
appended to each scan of CTD data within that 5 seconds.
Note that this section does not apply to data from an NMEA device that is connected
directly to a PC. The data is the same.

1. Connect the SBE 11 Interface RS232 connector to the PC.

2. Double-click on Seaterm.exe to start the software.
3. Select the "Instrument Type" and the PC COM port, then push OK.
4. In the main window, select Configure.
5. Select SBE 11 Interface.
The Configuration window shows.
6. Select the COMM Port. The Baud Rate is 9600. The Data Bits is 8, and Parity is
None. The Mode is RS232. Push OK.
7. Turn on power to the Deck Unit.
8. Send the "Display Status" (DS) command.
Seaterm shows:
SBE 11plus V 5.2
number of scans to average = 8
pressure baud rate = 9600
NMEA baud rate = 4800
surface PAR voltage added to scan
A/D offset = 0
GPIB address = 1
advance primary conductivity 0.073 seconds
advance secondary conductivity 0.073 seconds
autorun on power up is disabled
9. Check the NMEA baud rate. If necessary, send NMEABaud= to change the baud for
communication bewtween the Deck Unit and the NMEA device, to 4800 or 9600.
10. Turn off the Deck Unit.

5.3.1 Test NMEA in Seasave

Verify the NMEA shows position data in the Seasave software before deployment.

1. Make connections:

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 Set up and configure system

• Connect the SBE 11 Interface RS232 connector on the Deck Unit to the PC. If
this connection is not made, noise on the open Sea Cable connector will cause
interference with the Deck Unit communication.
• Connect the NMEA connector to the NMEA navigation device.
• Connect the Sea Cable connector to the CTD.
2. Double-click on Seasave.exe to start the software.
3. Select Configure Inputs....
4. In the Instrument Configuration window, push Open to see the configuration file for
the sensor.
5. Verify that the configuration file shows that the NMEA position data is to be added.
If the .xmlcon or .xml file do not show that NMEA position data is to be added, latitude
and longitude will not be available as variables in the fixed, scrolled, or plot display.
NMEA Display will not be available in the Display menu.
6. Select Display in the main window, then NMEA Display.
7. Start real-time data collection:
• Select Start in the Real-Time Data menu.
• Push Start in the Start Real-Time Data Acquisition window. Latitude, longitude,
and the time show in the software. The NMEA LED on the Deck Unit should flash
each time the position data is decoded correctly. If position data does not show,
verify that the Deck Unit and NMEA device are connected with the correct cable.

5.3.2 NMEA interface commands

Use Seaterm to transmit the command listed below.
Baud rate
NMEABaud=x x=baud rate for communication between the Deck Unit the NMEA navigation device, 4800 or 9600.

Diagnostic
Use to look at navigation data, to verify that the NMEA device and the interface in the
Deck Unit operate correctly. Latitude and longitude data is hex, converted to ASCII:
LAT 47 37.51 N
LON 122 09.41 W
If NMEA message RMC is decoded, the data and time show on the next line with:
DDMMYY HHMMSS
NSR Transmit Lat and Lon data over RS232 SBE 11 Interface to PC. One scan of NMEA data shows in Seaterm.

NSI Transmit Lat and Lon data over IEEE488 SBE 11 Interface to PC. One scan of NMEA data shows in Seaterm.

Sent Automatically by Seasave

This command is sent automatically by the software to configure the Deck Unit, based on
the setting for "NMEA position data added" in the CTD .xmlcon or .con file. This setting is
not stored in the EEPROM of the Deck Unit. The command remains in effect until the
Reset button on the Deck Unit is pushed, or a new command is sent.
If "NMEA position data added" is selected in the CTD configuration file but the Deck Unit
is not connected to a NMEA navigation device, the software will give an error message
when you try to start data collection.
If "NMEA position data added" is selected in the CTD configuration file, the software
automatically sends NSR or NSI at the start of the cast, and puts NMEA data in the data
file header.

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Set up and configure system

Nx x=y: Add latitude and longitude data to CTD data.

x=n: Do not add latitude and longitude data to CTD data.

5.3.3 NMEA message format

• -- is two device-specific characters.
• <CR> is carriage return.
• <LF> is line feed
GCA—Global Positioning System Fix Data
Time, position, and fix-related data for a GPS receiver.
$--GCA,hhmmss.ss,llll.ll,a.yyyyy.yy,b,x,xx,x.x,x.x,M,x.x,M,x.x,xxxx×hh<CR><LF>
GLL—Geographic Position, Latitude and Longitude
Latitude and longitude of current position, time of position fix, and status.
$--GLL,llll.ll,a,yyyyy.yy,b,hhmmss.ss,A*hh<CR><LF>
RMA—Recommended Minimum Specific LORAN-C Data
Position, course, and speed data from a LORAN-C receiver.
#--RMA,A,llll.ll,a,yyyyy.yy,b,x.x,x.x,x.x,x.x,x.x,a*h<CR><LF>
RMC—Recommended Minimum Specific GPS/TRANSIT Data
Time, date, position, course, and speed data from a GPS or TRANSIT navigation
receiver.
$--RMC,hhmmss.ss,A,llll.ll,a,yyyyy.yy,b,x.x,x.x,ddmmyy,x.x,a*h<CR><LF>
TRF—TRANSIT Fix Data
Time, date, position, and information related to a TRANSIT fix.
$--TRF,hhmmss.ss,ddmmyy,llll.ll,a,yyyyy.yy,b,x.x,x.x,x.x,xxx,A*h<CR><LF>
Field Type Symbol Description
Status A Single character field:
A = Yes, data valid, warning flag clear
V = No, data invalid, warning flag set
llll.ll Fixed/Variable length field:
degrees|minutes. Decimal—two fixed digits of degrees, two fixed digits of minutes, and
variable number of digits for decimal-fraction of minutes. Leading zeros are always included
Latitude for degrees and minutes to keep the fixed length. Decimal point and related decimal-fraction
are optional if full resolution is not required.
a N or S
yyyyy.yy Fixed/Variable length field:
degrees|minutes. Decimal—two fixed digits of degrees, three fixed digits of minutes, and
variable number of digits for decimal-fraction of minutes. Leading zeros are always included
Longitude for degrees and minutes to keep the fixed length. Decimal point and related decimal-fraction
are optional if full resolution is not required.
b E or W
hhmmss.ss Fixed/Variable length field:
degrees|minutes. Decimal—two fixed digits of degrees, two fixed digits of minutes, and
Time variable number of digits for decimal-fraction of minutes. Leading zeros are always included
for degrees and minutes to keep the fixed length. Decimal point and related decimal-fraction
are optional if full resolution is not required.
* Optional checksum delimiter

Checksum hh Optional checksum field:

Absolute value calculated by exclusive OR'ing 8 data bits, no start or stop bits, of each
character in message, between, but exclusive of $ and *.

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 Set up and configure system

5.4 Set up and configure Surface PAR in Seaterm

The Deck Unit has an A/D converter that converts the 0–5 V data from a surface PAR.
This data is appended to the CTD data in the Deck Unit and is transmitted to the PC. The
Seasave and Data Processing software support several PAR sensors:
• Linear or logarithmic Sea-Bird Scientific PAR
• Biospherical QSR-240, QCR-240, QSR-2200, QCR-2200.

1. Connect the SBE 11 Interface RS232 connector to the PC.

2. Disconnect the PAR sensor from the Deck Unit.
3. Double-click on Seaterm.exe to start the software.
4. In the Configure menu, select SBE 11 Interface. In the Configuration Options window
verify the settings below:
• Firmware version 5.0 and above
• Comm port to PC
• 19200 baud rate
• 8 data bits
• parity: none
• RS232 mode
Push OK to save the settings and exit the window.
5. Turn on power to the Deck Unit.
6. Send the "Display Status" (DS) command.
Seaterm shows:
SBE 11plus V 5.2
number of scans to average = 8
pressure baud rate = 9600
NMEA baud rate = 4800
surface PAR voltage added to scan
A/D offset = 0
GPIB address = 1
advance primary conductivity 0.073 seconds
advance secondary conductivity 0.073 seconds
autorun on power up is disabled
Shows that PAR is enabled, and that there is an offset to adjust for drift.
7. In the software, send AddSPAR=y and Offset=0 if not already enabled.
8. Set the Deck Unit thumbwheel switch to 9.
9. The number that shows on the Word Display LED is the value to use for the offset.
Send Offset=x, where x is the number that shows.
10. Verify that the LED shows 0. If not, repeat the above step.
11. Turn off the Deck Unit.

5.4.1 Surface PAR commands

Use Seaterm to transmit the commands below.
AddSPAR=x x=y: add Surface PAR voltage to the CTD data
x=n: do not add Surface PAR voltage to the CTD data

Offset=x x= offset voltage counts, 0–99, used to adjust Surface PAR data for drift in the Deck Unit electronics

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Set up and configure system

5.4.2 Set up and configure PAR in Seasave

The Deck Unit adds the data from the Surface PAR into the CTD data. The Seasave
software stores and can show the PAR data with the CTD data. The software requires
a .xmlcon or .con configuration file to add the PAR data to the CTD data.
To verify or change the configuration file:
1. Start the software.
2. Select the Configure Inputs menu.
3. In the Instrument Configuration window, push Modify. Verify that Surface PAR
data is added.

5.5 Set up and configure remote output

There are two remote output options from the Remote Out connector on the back panel of
the Deck Unit—
• Pressure frequency and pressure temperature
• Converted Data Output (CDO).

5.5.1 Set up and configure pressure frequency and pressure temperature

Pressure frequency and pressure temperature are transmitted at the full CTD data rate of
24 Hz (24 scans/second) and can be used to control a towed vehicle.

5.5.1.1 Pressure frequency and pressure temperature command

Use the Seaterm software to send the command below to the SBE 11 interface.
PBaud=x x=baud rate for pressure frequency and pressure temperature transmitted from the Deck Unit. Rates are
1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, or 19200.

5.5.1.2 Pressure frequency and pressure temperature data format

Pressure frequency and pressure temperature is transmitted in ASCII hex at the full CTD
data rate of 24 Hz. Five bytes are ASCII-encoded, with each byte sent as two ASCII
characters. Each scan ends with <CR><LF>.
The first six characters are 3 bytes of pressure frequency:
pressure frequency = byte[0] × 256 + byte[1] + (byte[2] ÷ 256)
The last three characters are the 12-bit pressure temperature compensation number:
pressure temperature = M ×12-bit temperature compensation number + B
For example:
Raw pressure scan = 80E8811A81<CR><LF>
byte[0] = 80 hex = 128 decimal
byte[1] = E8 hex = 232 decimal
byte[2] = 81 hex = 129 decimal
Pressure frequency = 128 × 256 + 232 + 129 ÷ 256 = 33000.504 Hz
The 12-bit temperature compensation number = A81 hex = 2689 decimal. If M =
0.01258 and B = -9.844 (from .xmlcon or .con file), pressure temperature = 0.01258 ×
2689 - 9.844 = 23.98 °C.
5.5.2 Set up and configure Converted Data Output (CDO)
CDO can be any combination of temperature, conductivity, pressure, depth, salinity,
sound velocity, and altimeter height, in engineering units. A separate CDO microcontroller
in the Deck Unit converts the raw CTD data. The microcontroller can also operate an
alarm in the remote device based on pressure, altimeter height, or bottom contact.

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 Set up and configure system

CDO data automatically shows when the Deck Unit is turned on or reset. The data stops
when a line with a <CR><LF> is received by the microcontroller (in Seaterm, push Enter.)

1. Connect the SBE 11 Remote Out connector to the PC.

2. Double-click on Seaterm.exe to start the software.
3. In the main window, select Configure.
4. Select SBE 11 Interface. The Configuration window shows. Select the options:
a. COM Port—1 through 10.
b. Baud Rate—300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200.
c. Data Bits—8
d. Parity—None
e. Mode—RS232.
5. Push OK.
6. Turn on power to the Deck Unit.
7. Send the "Display Status" (DS) command.
The display in Seaterm:
Command Output
S>DS
SBE 11plus Remote Output V 1.0
NAvg= number of scans to average = 4
Alarms= bottom contact alarm enabled
Alarms= pressure alarm enabled:
PEnable= pressure to enable alarm = 100.0 db
PSet= sound alarm when pressure is less than 50.00 m
Alarms= altimeter alarm enabled:
PEnable= pressure to enable alarm = 100.00
AltSet= sound alarm when altimeter height is less than 50.00 m
AltHyst= altimeter hysteresis = 5.0 m
AltVolt= altimeter vol number = 2
AltScale= altimeter scale factor = 5.00
Lat= latitude to use for depth calculation = 30.0
Format= output format = press depth temp cond sal

Data will show if power was just turned on.

8. If the system does not respond:
• Verify that the SBE 11 Remote Out was selected and the settings were entered.
• Verify that the cables between the PC and the Deck Unit are correct and
connected correctly.
9. Push the Enter key to stop the Deck Unit.
An S> shows. The system can now receive commands.
10. Send commands to modify the setup as necessary.

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Set up and configure system

5.5.2.1 CDO status commands

DS Show setup parameters
Firmware version for Remote Output
NAvg=number of scans to average. Deck Unit calculates averages and sends this data to the remote output port
at this rate. This is not the same as the number of scans to average that shows in the status command response
for the SBE 11 interface.
Alarms=bottom contact alarm enabled?
Alarms=pressure alarm enabled?
PEnable=pressure to enable alarm
PSet=pressure alarm setting
Alarms=altimeter alarm enabled?
PEnable=pressure to enable alarm
AltSet=altimeter alarm setting
AltHyst=altimeter alarm hysteresis
AltVolt=altimeter channel
AltScale=altimeter scale factor
Lat=latitude to use for depth calculation that shows only if the output format includes depth
Format=output format. Lists all CDO parameters.

5.5.2.2 CDO coefficients commands

DC Show calibration coefficients
TCalDate=S S=primary temperature calibration date
CCalDate=S S=primary conductivity calibration date
PCalDate=S S=pressure calibration date
TF0=F F=primary temperature F0
TG=F F=primary temperature G
TH=F F=primary temperature H
TI=F F=primary temperature I
TJ=F F=primary temperature J
CG=F F=primary conductivity G
CH=F F=primary conductivity H
CI=F F=primary conductivity I
CJ=F F=primary conductivity J
CPC=F F=primary conductivity pcor
CTC=F F=primary conductivity tcor
CS=F F=primary conductivity slope
PC1=F F=pressure C1
PC2=F F=pressure C2
PC3=F F=pressure C3
PC1=F F=pressure D1

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 Set up and configure system

PT1=F F=pressure T1
PT2=F F=pressure T2
PT3=F F=pressure T3
PT4=F F=pressure T4
PS=F F=pressure slope
PO=F F=pressure offset
PM=F F=pressure M
PB=F F=pressure B
AltVolt=N N=CTD A/D voltage number for altimeter
AltScale=F F=altimeter scale factor

F = floating point number

S = String with no spaces
N = integer
Example:
S>DC
SBE 11plus Remote Output V 1.0
TEMPERATURE: 24-jun-98s
TF0 = 1.000000e+03
TG = 4.345714e-03
TH = 6.402139e-04
TI = 2.284978e-05
TJ = 2.196164e-06
TOFFSET = 4.500000e+01
CONDUCTIVITY: 25-jun-98s
CG = -1.045817e+01
CH = 1.473827e+00
CJ = 3.846583e-04
CPCOR = -9.570000e-08
CTCOR = 3.250000e-06
CSLOPE = 1.000000e+00
PRESSURE: 5-May-99
PC1 = -5.006884e+04
PC2 = -1.104210e+00
PC3 = 1.561210e-02
PD1 = 4.029500e-02
PT1 = 2.992485e+01
PT2 = -6.269641e-04
PT3 = 4.621850e-06
PT4 = -1.599760e-09
PSLOPE = 1.000000e+00
POFFSET = 3.288600e+04
PM = 1.276324e-02
PB = -9.6809151e+00

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Set up and configure system

altimeter voltage number = 2

altimeter scale factor = 5.0

5.5.2.3 CDO general setup commands

Format=x x=output format for x < 128, add the parameter value x to see data from any combination of the
parameters below, up to four.

Parameter Value
altimeter height 1
depth 2
temperature 4
conductivity 8
pressure 16
salinity 32
sound velocity 64
output format for x > 128
altimeter height 128 + 1 = 129
depth 128 +2 = 130
pressure 128 + 16 = 144
pressure and altimeter height 128 + 1 + 16 = 145
depth and altimeter height 128 + 1 + 2 = 131

For example:
• Depth only, Format=2.
• Depth, temperature, conductivity, and pressure, Format=30 (2 + 4 + 8 + 16).
• All seven variables, Format=127 (1 +2 +4 + 8 +16 + 32 + 64)

Baud=x x=baud for CDO; 300, 6050, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200

The baud rate must be the same as the baud selected in the Configuration Options of the
software or the software will not communicate with the Deck Unit.
NAvg=x x=number of scans to average for CDO. The minimum is based on output baud and format:
Minimum NAvg = (24 × NBITS÷baud) + 1
where
NBITS=100 × number of output variables.
The CDO microcontroller verifies that NAvg is greater than or equal to the minimum. If you enter a value
that is too low, the microcontroller sets NAvg to the minimum.

Lat=x x=latitude, in degrees, to use to calculate depth from pressure.

Minimum NAvg = (24 × NBITS÷baud) + 1

5.5.2.4 CDO diagnostic command

Go or Run Transmit CDO data to the PC. The data shows in the software in the selected format. Useful for
diagnostic purposes.
Push Enter one or more times to stop data.

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 Set up and configure system

5.5.2.5 CDO alarm commands

CDO has three types of alarms:
• Bottom contact—set when the bottom contact bit in modulo word is set and pressure
is greater than PEnable.
• Pressure—set when pressure is less than PSet and greater than PEnable.
• Altimeter—set whe altimeter height is less than AltSet and pressure is greater than
AltSet + AltHyst.
An alarm can be set up for the Deck Unit as well. The Deck Unit alarm operates if a
bottom contact switch is used with the CTD. This alarm can also be set up to operate
based on pressure/altimeter data in the Configure Outputs menu of the software.

Alarms=x x=alarm enable parameter

If x=0, all alarms are disabled. Add alarm value x to enable any combination of alarms:
Bottom contact = 1
Pressure = 2
Altimeter = 4

For example:
To enable the Bottom contact alarm, set Alarms=1.
To enable all three alarms, set Alarms=7 (1 + 2 + 4).
PEnable=x x=minimum pressure, decibars, to enable all alarms

PSet=x x= pressure, decibars, to turn on the pressure alarm

AltSet=x x=distance above bottom, meters, to turn on the altimeter alarm

AltHyst=x x=maximum change in distance above the bottom, meters, for altimeter hysteresis

5.6 Set up water sampler

The SBE 32 Carousel water sampler, a G.O. 1015 or G.O. 1015 Rosette use a 300 baud
modem to communicate with the SBE 911plus. The modem lets the user control the
water sampler through the Deck Unit or the Seasave software. The modem interface
must be installed in both the Deck Unit and the CTD.
For the G.O. 1015: the Deck Unit must have the control module in addition to the 300-
baud modem interface.
5.6.1 Set up Deck Unit receiver and modem dip switches
Set the switches at SW1, positions 1 through 4:

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Set up and configure system

Water sampler SW1 position

1 2 3 4
SBE 32 carousel On On On On
G.O. 1015 Rosette Off On On On
G.O. 1016 Rosette On Off On On

For a G.O. 1016, set the Arm offset to adjust the "home" position with SW1 positions
5 through 8:

A switch is ON when it is pushed in at the position number. Switches 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 are

On. 5, 6, and 7 are Off.
Arm offset, degrees SW1 position
5 6 7 8
-2.8 On On On On
-2.4 Off On On On
-2.0 On Off On On
-1.6 Off Off On On
-1.2 On On Off On
-0.8 Off On Off On
-0.4 On Off Off On
0.0 (nominal) Off Off Off On
0.4 On On On Off
0.8 Off On On Off
1.2 On Off On Off
1.6 Off Off On Off
2.0 On On Off Off
2.4 Off On Off Off
2.8 On Off Off Off
3.2 Off Off Off Off

5.6.2 Set up water sampler in Seasave

1. Double-click on Seasave.exe to start the software.
2. Select the Configure Inputs menu.
3. Select the Serial Ports tab. In the Water Sampling and 911 Pump Control Serial Port
area, select the COM port that is connected to the Deck Unit Modem Channel
connector.
4. Set up the other serial ports. The CTD Serial Port is the port connected to the Deck
Unit SBE 11 Interface connector.
5. Select the Water Sample tab.
a. Enter the "Water sampler type":

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 Set up and configure system

• SBE Carousel (32, 32C, or 32SC)

• SBE ECO (SBE 55)
• G.O. 1015 or 1016
• Hydro-Bios (custom applications)
• IOW (custom applications)
• None
b. Enter the "Number of Water Bottles" up to 36.
c. Enter the "Firing Sequence":
• Sequential—when commanded to fire, bottles fire in order of position. (Bottle
in position #1 fired first, then #2, etc.)
• User Input—when commanded to fire, the user selects which bottle to fire in
the software.
• Table Driven—when commanded to fire, bottles fire in order pre-defined by a
user-entered table. Push Bottle Positions for Table Driven to enter the
bottle positions.
• Auto Fire—bottles are fired automatically at user-entered, pre-defined
pressures or depth on the upcast. Push Auto-Fire Pressures and
Positions to enter parameters. Auto fire on downcast is available if the -
autofireondowncast command line parameter is entered.
d. Put a check in "Enable remote firing" to remotely control when bottles fire through
TCP/IP Ports tab and NOT by "Firing Sequence."
e. In the Tone for bottle fire confirmation area, select either the internal speaker on
the PC or "PC sound card" so the tone can be transmitted to external speakers or
headphones.
6. Push OK to save the settings.
7. Optional: from the main menu, set up a plot window in the software to show the order
in which the bottles close, or put a horizontal line in the plot to show the data
associated with a bottle closure. Right-click in a Plot Display window and select
Modify.

5.7 Set up RS232 data uplink

The SBE 911plus can have an interface for serial data from a sensor connected to JT4 on
the CTD. Serial data is multiplexed into the 9plus telemetry, and is de-multiplexed by the
Deck Unit. This data is transmitted from the Deck Unit at the Serial Data Uplink
connector.
The serial data uplink operates in only one direction, from the CTD to the Deck Unit.
Communication from the Deck Unit to the serial data sensor occurs through the 300 baud
FSK modem used to control the water sampler. Note: the 911plus supports the use of the
serial data sensor and the water sampler in the same cast. Commands sent through the
300 baud modem are transmitted at the transmit rate of the sensor. Data from the serail
data sensor is transmitted at 19200 baud.

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Set up and configure system

Notes:
• The Serial Data Uplink connector is included on all 11plus V2 with serial number
637 and higher. On older units, the connector was included only if the 11plus V2 had
the serial data uplink feature.
• The serial data uplink also requires that the 300 baud water sampler modem channel
is installed on both the 11plus V2 and the 9plus CTD.

5.7.1 Serial data sensor requirements

Configure the serial data sensor to transmit data with 1 start bit, 8 data bits, no parity,
1 stop bit, at 9600 baud. The continuous transmission rate can not be more than
9600 baud, so the serial data sensor that transmits at 19200 must be set to burst mode.
Burst mode separates transmitted data into intervals with no data transmitted, so that the
average data rate is 960 bytes/second, or 9600 baud.
5.7.2 SBE 9plus CTD requirements
The RS232 serial data uplink can be included when the 9plus is ordered or it can be
added later by the manufacturer.
Requirements to add the uplink:
• A logic PCB that gives the 9plus control at the normal rate but transmits data to the
sea cable at twice the normal rate.
• A modem PCB for the 300 baud FSK modem channel for control of the water
sampler. This is also used to for serial data input.
• Change to the backplane wiring.
• A 4-contact JT4 connector on the top of the 9plus to connect to the serial data
sensor.
The serial data uplink requires that the 300 baud water sampler modem is installed in
both the 11plus and 9plus.
5.7.3 SBE 11plus Deck Unit requirements
If the Deck Unit has a Serial Data Uplink connector, the jumper positions on the 11plus
V2 need to be changed to process the multiplexed data.
Remove the bottom cover of the 11plus and set the jumpers on the Reciever/Modem
PCB (drawing 41704):
Jumper Position
J1 H
J2 H

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 Set up and configure system

J3 H
J4 H
J5 Short
J6 H

Figure 2 Receiver/Modem printed circuit board jumpers

5.7.4 SBE 911 system limits

There are several limits to a 911plus system that is set up for serial data uplink.
• The maximum sea cable is 8000 m.
• The 9plus cannot be used with a SBE 17plus V2 Searam.
• The 911plus cannot be used with a G.O. 1015.
• A 9plus that has a RS232 serial data uplink is not compatible with an 11plus V2 that
is set up for standard transmission.
• An 11plus V2 with jumpers set for serial data uplink cannot transmit data through the
Tape Recorder on the 11plus V2 back panel.

31
Set up and configure system

32
Section 6 System operation

6.1 Collect real-time data and fire bottles from Seasave

The user can also use the SBE 17plus V2 to save data in memory at the same time as
the 9plus data is transmitted real-time through the Deck Unit. This gives a data back-up if
there are problems over the sea cable.

1. Double-click on Seasave.exe.
2. If necessary set up display windows and make any other change in Configure
Outputs and Configure Inputs.
3. Turn on the Deck Unit.
4. In the Real-Time Data menu, select Start.
5. Select the options for data collection and storage in the Start Real-Time Data
Acquisition window.
a. Data Archiving Options area:
• Begin archiving data immediately—store raw (frequencies and voltages) data
in real-time when Start is pushed.
• Begin archiving data when "Start Archiving" command is sent—Control when
data is written to the file. The user can prevent unwanted scans, such as at
the start of a cast.
• Do not archive data for the cast—data is not saved.
b. Output data (.hex) file area:
• Push Select Output Data File Name to enter the location and name of the
data file to save.
c. Configuration Options area:
Shows current .xmlcon or .xml configuration file name and location.
• Push Configure Inputs to change serial ports, water sampler, TCP/IP ports
and other inputs.
• Push Configure Outputs to change serial data and ports, shared file
outputs, TCP/IP ports, alarms, and other output.
d. Timeout options:
• "Timeout in seconds at startup" is the time before the first data is received
from the sensor. The software will "time out" and not try to collect data if no
data is received within the set time period.
• "Timeout in seconds between scans" is the maximum interval between scans
after the first data is received from the sensor.
6. Push Start.
a. If either of the "Data Archive" options were selected and "Prompt for Header
Information" (in the Configure Outputs window) was selected, the Header
Information dialog box shows. Fill in the header information (optional) and push
OK.
b. If a water sampler is set up, the software sends a Reset command to it and waits
up to 60 seconds to for confirmation. If the water sampler is not confirmed, make
sure that the Deck Unit power is on, the PC and the Deck Unit are connected,
and the communication settings and COM ports (Serial Ports tab) are correct.
c. If "NMEA position data added" is selected in the .xmlcon or .con file, the software
starts NMEA communication.
d. If either "AddSPAR=y" or "AddSPAR=n" was selected in the .xmlcon or .con file,
the software sends that command.
e. If "Check Scan Length" was selected in the Options menu, the software verifies
from the .xmlcon or .con file that the scan length is the same as the sensor. If

33
System operation

Scan length error shows, make sure the .xmlcon or .con file is correct and has
been updated if sensors have been added or removed, or if NMEA or PAR inputs
have been added or removed.
f. The software sends Waiting for data...The software will time out if data is not
received from the Deck Unit within the "Timeout in seconds at startup" that was
set in Start Real-Time Data Acquisition.
g. Data starts to show in the display.
7. To fire a water sampler bottle from Seasave, enter Ctrl F3 or, in the Real-Time
Control menu, select Fire Bottle Control. The Bottle Fire window shows. (This can
be left open throughout a cast.) The window shows the next bottle to be fired. If User
Input was selected in the water sampler setup, select the next bottle to fire, then push
Fire Bottle when ready. If Auto Fire was selected (Configure Inputs menu, Water
Sampler tab.)
When the software gets a "bottle fired" confirmation from a water sampler:
SBE Carousel or G.O. 1016—a line is written to a file (with the same filename as the
data file) with a .bl extension. This has the bottle fire sequence number, bottle
position, date, time and first and last scan number for 1.5 seconds of scans) for the
fired bottle.
G.O. 1015—the SBE 9plus sets a bit in the modulo word high for 1.5 seconds, and
the software adds an increment to the number of bottles fired.
Later, when the raw data file is converted in the Data Conversion module of the
software, the scans in the .bl file or marked with a bottle confirmation bit are written to
a water bottle file with a .ros extension.
8. Push Stop to stop data collection.
9. Turn off the Deck Unit.

6.2 Fire bottles from Deck Unit

The user can also fire bottles directly from the Deck Unit. The manufacturer strongly
recommends that only one method is used, either the software or the Deck Unit, not both,
on the same cast. Bottles fired from the Deck Unit are always fired in sequence.
The Seasave software still gets a Bottle Fired confirmation from the water sampler if both
the SBE 11 Interface and the Modem Channel are connected to the PC.
• For the SBE 32 Carousel or G.O. 1016 Rosette: Seasave writes a line to an output
file with a .bl extension. This file has the bottle fire sequence number, the bottle
position, date, time, and start and end scan number (for 1.5 seconds of scans) for the
fired bottle.
• For the G.O. 1015 Rosette: the SBE 9plus sets a bit in the modulo word high for
1.5 seconds, and the software adds an increment to the number of bottles fired.
After deployment, when the raw data file is converted in the SBE Data Processing
software, the scans identified in the .bl file or marked with a bottle confirmation bit are
written to a water bottle file with a .ros extension. The .bl file has the same location and
file name as the data file.
6.2.1 SBE 32 carousel
1. Push Home/Arm to reset the carousel so it will close the bottle at position #1 the next
time Fire is pushed. The Home/Arm LED comes on and stays on until the first bottle
is fired.
2. Push Fire.
The carousel fires bottle #1.
3. Do step 2 to fire each bottle.
The carousel fires bottles in sequence.

34
 System operation

6.2.2 G.O. 1015 rosette

1. Push Home/Arm to turn on the rosette. The Home/Arm LED comes on 15 seconds
later to show that the rosette is ready to fire.
2. Push Fire to fire the first bottle.
3. Do steps 1 and 2 to fire each bottle.
The rosette fires bottles in sequence.

6.2.3 G.O. 1016 rosette

1. Push Home/Arm to reset the rosette so it will fire the bottle at position #1 the next
time Fire is pushed.
The Home/Arm LED comes on and stays on until the first bottle is fired.
2. Push Fire.
The rosette fires bottle 1.
3. Do step 2 to fire each bottle.
The rosette fires bottles in sequence.

6.3 Control pump manually

A typical SBE 9plus supplies power to the pump 60 seconds after the conductivity cell is
in water with sufficient salt to increase the conductivity cell frequency to above
approximately 3500 Hz.
For a 9plus with the manual pump control feature installed, the conductivity cell frequency
does not control the pump power. The pump is controlled by PC command through the
modem channel connector on the Deck Unit. There is no delay time when power is
supplied to the pump. Use the Seasave software to manually control the pump.

1. Select Configure Inputs.

2. At the Instrument Configuration tab, select the .xmlcon or .con file for the 9plus.
3. At the Serial Ports tab, select the COM port for Water Sampling and 911 Pump
Control.
Pump control commands are sent through the 11plus Modem Channel connector, but
pump control has no effect on the operation of the water sampler.
4. At the Pump Control tab, put a check in the "Enable pump on/pump off commands"
box.
5. Make any other setup changes, then push OK.
6. Turn on the Deck Unit and turn the thumbwheel switch to position 1 1 (B).
There are four digits that show the CTD status. Digits 1 and 3, from right to left are for
pump operation.
• 1st digit is Pump status. 1 = pump on, 0 = pump off.
• 3rd digit is Manual Pump Control status, in place of G.O. 1015 water sampler
confirm signal. 1 = Deck Unit senses that the Manual Pump Control is installed.
0 = no Manual Pump Control is sensed.
The display should show 0110—manual pump control is installed, pump is off.
7. At the Real-Time Data menu, select Start... and make any changes necessary. Then
push Start.
Real-time data collection starts.
8. At the start of a deployment, let the system stay in water above the pump intake for
1 minute before a downcast. This lets air escape from the CTD plumbing so that the
pump operates correctly.
9. There are two ways to turn the pump on or off:
• Select "Pump On" or "Pump Off" the Real-Time Control menu.

35
System operation

• Push Ctrl-F2 to turn the pump on. Push Ctrl-F4 to turn the pump off.
The pump status on the Deck Unit thumbwheel switch will show—
0111 manual pump control installed, pump on.
0110 manual pump control installed, pump off.

6.4 Process data

The SBE Data Processing software module lets the user convert raw .hex data into
engineering units, edit the data, calculate derived variables, and make plots of processed
data. Refer to the Data Processing manual for details.
The manufacturer strongly recommends that the user uses the Data Conversion software
module to convert data to a .cnv file format before any edits are made.

36
Section 7 Data formats
For applications that do not require all five frequency channels, all eight A/D channels,
Surface PAR, and NMEA, channels that are not used can be suppressed if the user
makes the appropriate changes to the configuration file. This will reduce the quantity of
memory needed to store CTD data.
The Deck Unit and the CTD data are different in several ways:
• The Deck Unit changes the order of the output.
• The Deck Unit automatically removes CTD bytes 31–36, unused or marker bytes,
from the data
• The Deck Unit adds Surface PAR and NMEA data if applicable.
Each data word is three bytes:
Word from Deck Description Deck Unit thumbwheel switch
Unit position
0 Primary temperature 0
1 Primary conductivity 1
2 Pressure 2
3 Secondary temperature 3
4 Secondary conductivity 4
5 A/D channels 0–1 5
6 A/D channels 2–3 6
7 A/D channels 4–5 7
8 A/D channels 6–7 8
9 Surface PAR 9
10 Pressure temperature compensation and modulo count 10 [A]
CTD status 11 [B]
— Bytes available in IEEE488 buffer 12 [C]
— Bytes available in RS232 buffer 13 [D]
appended to end of NMEA data —
scan

The notation on the switches can be either:

0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15
0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,A,B,C,D,E,F with A–F equal to 10–15.
This manual uses the 1–15 notation, with the other in brackets. For example, "set the
switch to 11 [B]."

7.1 Deck Unit LED display format

Select data words with the thumbwheel switch on the Deck Unit. The display updates
several times per second. When the thumbwheel is set to a suppressed channel, the LED
display is blank.

37
Data formats

Switch Description Details

position
0 Primary temperature
1 Primary conductivity
2 Pressure Data shows as a frequency in Hz.
3 Secondary temperature
4 Secondary conductivity

5 A/D channels 0-1 Each switch position shows information from two channels. From left to right, first
4 digits shows lower channel, e.g. V0, and second 4 digits show next channel, e.g. V1.
6 A/D channels 2-3 Each voltage shows as a decimal value, N, of a 12-bit number, the binary notation of
7 A/D channels 4-5 analog voltage. The display shows 4095 for 0 V and 0 for 5 V. V = 5 (1-[N÷4095])

8 A/D channels 6-7

9 Surface PAR Voltage shows as a decimal value (N) of a 12-bit number. The display shows 4095 for
0 V and 0 for 5 V. V = N÷819

10 [A] Pressure sensor • Four digits left of decimal point: pressure sensor temperature counts,
temperature and modulo 0–4095 (2500 ~ 22 °C)
count
• Four digits right of decimal point:modulo count that increments. Modulo count is 8-
bit number from CTD that increments by count for each scan. If Deck Unit
averages data, modulo count increments by number of scans averaged. This is a
check on data. Maximum value to show is 255, then the count starts again.

11 [B] CTD status Four digits. From right to left:

• pump status—1 = pump on, 0 = pump off

• bottom contact switch status—1 = no contact. Switch is open or not installed. 0 =
Switch is closed.
• G.O. 1015 water sampler interface confirm signal or manual pump control signal
—1 ~ 1.5 seconds = Deck Unit senses confirm signal from G.O. 1015 that show a
bottle has been fired, 0 = no confirm signal sensed. OR 1 = Deck Unit senses
manual pump control installed in 9plus, 0 = no manual pump control sensed.
• CTD modem carrier sensed—0 = CTD modem senses Deck Unit modem carrier
signal, 1 = not sensed.

12 [C] Bytes available in Deck Unit puts data in a buffer at the rate it is collected, so the Deck Unit and PC
IEEE488 buffer operate somewhat independently. Data is transmitted from the buffer on command
from PC. If PC takes too long to calculate and show data, the number of available
13 [D] Bytes available in bytes will decrease. If available bytes is less than an entire scan, the Overflow LED
RS232 buffer comes on a stays on until it receives a reset command. If the buffer overflows, some
data will be lost.

14 [E] not used —

15 [F]

7.2 Raw data format

7.2.1 IEEE488 data format
Data is in the order below.
• MSB = Most Significant Bit
• LSB = Least Significant Bit

38
 Data formats

Word Byte Description Details

0 0-2 Primary temperature Frequency f = (Byte 0×256) + Byte 1 + (Byte 2÷256)
3-5 Primary conductivity Frequency f = (Byte 3×256) + Byte 4 + (Byte 5÷256)
6-8 Pressure Frequency f = (Byte 6×256) + Byte 7+ (Byte 8÷256)
9-11 Secondary temperature Frequency f = (Byte 9×256) + Byte 10 + (Byte 11÷256)
12-14 Secondary conductivity Frequency f = (Byte 12×256) + Byte 13 + (Byte 14÷256)
15 A/D channel 0 (8 MSB)
16 A/D channel 0 (4 LSB 4-7)
5
1 (4 MSB 0-3)
17 A/D channel 1 (8 MSB)
18 A/D channel 2 (8 MSB)
19 A/D channel 2 (4 LSB 4-7)
6 Each 12-bit number (N) is a binary notation of analog voltage. N = 4095 for
3 (4 MSB 0-3)
0 V, 0 for 5 V.
20 A/D channel 3 (8 MSB) V = 5 (1 - [N ÷ 4095])
e.g.: byte 15 = 00110111; byte 16 = 01001111
21 A/D channel 4 (8 MSB)
for A/D channel 0, N = 001101110100 = 884 decimal
22 A/D channel 4 (4 LSB 4-7)
7 V = 5 (1 - [884 ÷ 4095]) = 3.921 V
5 (4 MSB 0-3)
23 A/D channel 5 (8 MSB)
24 A/D channel 6 (8 MSB)
25 A/D channel 6 (4 LSB 4-7)
8
7 (4 MSB 0-3)
26 A/D channel 7 (8 MSB)
27 not used Surface PAR: 12-bit number (N) is binary notation of analog voltage. N =
4095 for 0 V, 0 for 5 V.
28 First 4 bits not used V = N ÷ 819
Surface PAR channel
9 e.g.: byte 34 = 11110011 byte 35 = 01110100
(4 MSB 0-3)
N = 001101110100 = 884 decimal; V = 884 ÷ 819 = 1.079 V
29 Surface PAR channel
(8 LSB)
30 Pressure sensor Pressure sensor temperature:
temperature (8 MSB) 12-bit number is binary notation of temperature from 0–4095. 2500 =
approximately 22 °C.
31 Pressure sensor
temperature (4 LSB 4-7) CTD status:
CTD status (0-3) • bit 0 Pump status—1 = pump on, 0 = pump off
• bit 1 Bottom contact switch status—1 = switch open, 0 = switch closed

• bit 2 G.O. 1015 water sampler interface confirm signal or manual pump
10 control signal—1 = Deck Unit senses a confirm signal from G.O. 1015 or
senses manual pump control installed in 9plus, 0 = not sensed
• bit 3 CTD modem carrier—0 = CTD modem senses Deck Unit modem
carrier signal, 1 = not sensed

32 8-bit number from CTD increases 1 count for each scan. If Deck Unit averages
data, the modulo increases by the number of scans averaged. Modulo is a
check on data integrity. Missing scans caused by sea cable errors cause
"jumps" in the count.
end of scan NMEA data Refer to NMEA data format on page 40 for details

39
Data formats

The Deck Unit suppresses words that are not used to save memory. This is based on
how the system is configured. For example:
• If secondary temperature and conductivity are not used, words 3 and 4 can be
suppressed from the data stream.
• If not all A/D channels are used those words can be suppressed in the data stream
(words 5-8 as applicable). Words are suppressed from last to first—for a system with
only two A/D voltage words, the channels are V0, V1, V2, and V3.
• If Surface PAR is not used, word 9 can be suppressed.
The Seasave software uses information in the configuration file to automatically
command the Deck Unit to suppress words that are not used. For example, a system with
a CTD only, with secondary temperature and conductivity, all A/D channels, and Surface
PAR and no NMEA data, the IEEE488 output looks like:
Word Byte Description
0 0–2 Primary temperature
1 3–5 Primary conductivity
2 6–8 Pressure
9 Pressure sensor temperature (8 MSB)
10 CTD status (4 LSB)
3
Pressure sensor temperature (4 MSB)
11 Modulo count (EOI line asserted)

7.2.2 RS232 data format

The data format for RS232 is almost the same as IEEE488, with three differences.
1. Each byte is sent as two ASCII-endoded characters. The first character is the
hexadecimal notation of the most significant 4 bits. The second character is the
hexadecimal notation of the least significant 4 bits.
For example, a byte with a value of 42 (base 10) or 2A (hexadecimal) is sent as:
First character—32 (ASCII for 2)
Second character—41 (ASCII for A)
2. The two characters in the modulo count come after two pressure sensor temperature
characters and two zero characters. The modulo characters are followed by a
carriage return character (0D, base 16)and then a lined feed character (0A, base 16).
The number of characters per scan:
(words/scan × 3 bytes/word × 2 characters/byte) + 2 = 26 characters.
For example, for a 4-word data stream:
(4 words/scan × 3 bytes/word × 2 characters/byte) + 2 = 26 characters
3. NMEA data is on a line by itself, once per second, not appended to the end of each
scan.

7.2.3 NMEA data format

For the IEEE488 interface, 7 bytes of position data are appended to the end of each CTD
scan transmitted from the Deck Unit to the PC.
For the RS232 interface, 14 ASCII characters of position data, followed by a carriage
return and line feel are transmitted once per second. For example, if the data collection
rate is 24 Hz, the NMEA data is transmitted after CTD scans 1, 25, 49, etc. and scans in
between will have only CTD data. In the Seasave software, the navigation data is
appended to each CTD scan so the output from Seasave is the same for both
IEEE488 and RS232.
The software calculates latitude and longitude as:

40
 Data formats

Latitude, degrees = (byte 1 × 65536 + byte 2 × 256 + byte 3) ÷ 50000.

Longitude, degrees = (byte 4 × 65536 + byte 5 × 256 + byte 6) ÷ 50000.
• If bit 1 in byte 7 is 1, this is a new position.
• If bit 8 in byte 7 is 1, latitude is negative.
• If bit 7 in byte 7 is 1, longitude is negative.
• North latitudes are positive; south latitudes are negative.
• East longitudes are positive; west longitudes are negative.

Example: Appended position data = 2455FC5D32B141

byte 1 = 24 hex = 36 decimal
byte 2 = 55 hex = 85 decimal
byte 3 = FC hex = 252 decimal
byte 4 = 5D hex = 93 decimal
byte 5 = 32 hex = 50 decimal
byte 6 = B1 hex = 177 decimal
byte 7 = 41 hex = 01000001 binary
This is a new position: bit 1 in byte 7 is 1.
Latitude is positive: bit 8 in byte 7 is 0.
Longitude is negative: bit 7 in byte 7 is 1.
Latitude = (36 × 65536 + 85 × 256 + 252) ÷ 50000 = 47.62616 degrees.
Longitude = (93 ×65536 + 50 × 256 +177) ÷ 50000 = -122.1565 degrees

7.2.4 Pressure frequency and pressure temperature data format

Pressure frequency and pressure temperature are transmitted in ASCII hex at the full
CTD data rate of 24 Hz. Five bytes are transmitted ASCII-encoded, with each byte sent
as two ASCII characters. A carriage return and line feed end each scan.
The first six characters show 3 bytes of pressure frequency:
Pressure frequency = byte[0] × 256 + byte[1] + byte[2] ÷ 256
The last three characters show the 12-bit pressure compensation number:
Pressure temperature = M × (12-bit compensation number) + B
Example: Raw pressure scan = 80E881A81<CR><LF>
byte[0] = 80 hex = 128 decimal
byte[1] = E8 hex = 232 decimal
byte[2] = 81 hex = 129 decimal
Pressure frequency = 128 × 256 +232 + 129 ÷ 256 = 33000.504 Hz
12-bit temperature compensation number = A81 hex = 2689 decimal
If M = 0.01258 × 2689 - 9.844 = 23.98 °C

7.2.5 Converted data output data format

If selected, the parameters below are transmitted in this order (Format < 128):
Parameter Format Units
Pressure pppp.p decibars
Depth dddd.d meters
Altimeter height aaaa.a meters
Temperature tt.ttt deg C
Conductivity c.cccc S/m

41
Data formats

Salinity ss.sss PSU

Sound Velocity vvvv.v meters/second

Two spaces come after each parameter. Each scan of data ends with a carriage return,
line feed.

7.3 Calculate engineering units in Seasave

The Seasave software lets the user select raw (frequencies and voltage) and converted
data (decibars, °C, etc.) to show during data collection. The software applies calibration
coefficients in the .xmlcon or .con file to the raw data to calculate engineering units.
The calibration sheet for each sensor lists its calibration coefficients as well as the
equation used by the software to derive engineering units from the raw data.
The calculation of pressure temperature compensation for the Paroscientific Digiquartz
pressure sensor is different, and described below.
TD = M × (12-bit pressure temperature compensation word) +B
Where M = AD590M and B = AD590B from the calibration sheet.
Raw pressure temperature compensation has a decimal value between 0 and 4095.
Example:
Byte 30 = 10101000; Byte 31 = 00010101
M = 0.01258 and B = -9.844 (from calibration sheet)
N = 101010000001binary = 2689 decimal
TD = (0.01258 × 2689) -9.844 = 23.98 °C

Pressure temperature is calculated with a backward-looking 30-second running average

to prevent bit transitions in pressure temperature to cause small jumps in calculated
pressure. The pressure sensor is heavily insulated with a thermal time constant on the
order on one hour, so the 30-second average does not change the calculated pressure
temperature by much.

7.4 Calculate engineering units in Data Processing software

The SBE Data Processing software convert raw (hex) data into engineering units with the
information in the configuration file, and then processes it. Even if the calibration
coefficients in the configuration file were not correct, the saved raw data is correct and
can be processed with the corrected calibration coefficients.

42
Section 8 Troubleshooting

DANGER
Life-threatening voltages of over 250 VDC are on the sea cable and the Deck Unit when it is on,
and will persist for up to 1 minute after it is turned off.

This section lists some common problems with the Deck Unit and the most likely causes
and solutions.
The manufacturer recommends that only experienced technicians do service work on the
Deck Unit.
Make sure to remove the AC power cord and wait at least 1 minute to remove the
housing or to change connectors.

8.1 Cannot see data in Seasave

If the scan length does not match the selected .xmlcon or .con file, data will not show in
the Seasave display.
Solution
Stop data collection and make sure the settings in the Configure Inputs window of the
software match the CTD configuration. Verify the number and type of auxiliary sensors,
channels, NMEA, and Surface PAR.
The manufacturer recommends that the user enables the "Check scan length" in the
Options menu of the software. If the scan length is different from the expected length, an
error message will show.
If the configuration file is incorrect, it will not have an effect on the quality of the raw data.
Correct any errors in the configuration file in the Data Processing software module and
process the data as necessary.

8.2 Deck Unit does not operate

Cause
If the power switch is on but the power switch pilot light is off, no other panel lights are on
and the fan does not operate, the AC power has been disconnected or the main fuse has
blown.
Solution
Turn the Deck Unit off and remove the power cable. Wait 1 minute and look at the main
fuse. Replace if necessary.
If the main fuse blows again, there may be a short in the main body wiring. There are
separate fuses and short circuit protection circuitry related to the internal power supplies
that protect the main fuse, even if internal circuitry does not turn on. It may be necessary
to disconnect each section one by one to find the problem.

8.3 Deck Unit overflow light is on

Cause
Data from the CTD is transmitted to a RAM buffer in the Deck Unit. The PC tells the Deck
Unit to transmit the data to the PC, and the buffer is then empty. If the PC is too slow to
tell the Deck Unit to transmit the data in the buffer, the buffer overflows and the Overflow
LED turns on.
Solution
An older, slow PC may be set to update the Seasave windows too often. To verify that
this is the problem and change the settings on the PC, do the steps below.

43
Troubleshooting

1. Set the Deck Unit thumbwheel switch to 12 [C] (IEEE488) or 13 [D] (RS232) to show
the number of bytes available in the Deck Unit buffer.
2. Start data collection. The number that shows in the Deck Unit LED should reset to
7000 (IEEE488) or 14000 (RS232) at regular intervals. If it does not, the buffer
overflows. Stop data collection.
3. Change the Seasave display update rate: right-click in a Display window and select
Modify. Enter a larger value in "Seconds between updates" then push OK. Do this for
all Display windows. Do step 2 again. It may be necessary to do steps 2 and 3 two or
three times.
4. In Configure Outputs, verify that Serial Data Out and Shared File Out are enabled. If
yes, verify that "Seconds between updates" is a least 1 second.
5. Older, slow PCs may not be able to average data fast enough.Reduce the amount of
data saved to the PC:
• Set the software to average more scans. (An average of 1 is 24 Hz data, average
of 2 is 12 Hz data, etc.) In Configure Inputs, change the configuration file in the
Instrument Configuration tab to increase "Scans to average."
• Supress data channels to reduce the amount of data per scan: in Configure
Inputs, change the .xmlcon or .con file in the Instrument Configuration tab.

8.4 Cannot communicate with CTD

DANGER
Life-threatening voltages of over 250 VDC are on the sea cable and the Deck Unit when it is on,
and will persist for up to 1 minute after it is turned off.

Cause
There is no voltage on the sea cable.
Solution
Turn the Deck Unit off. Remove the power cable and wait 1 minute. Connect a voltmeter
set to a minimum of 300 VDC to the Sea Cable connector. Connect the power cable
again and turn on the Deck Unit. The voltmeter should show 250 V.
If there is no voltage, the sea cable supply does not operate. Turn the Deck Unit off.
Remove the power cable and wait 1 minute. Evaluate the Sea Cable Fuse. If this fuse is
blown, the sea cable may have been accidentally shorted, or there is a malfunction of the
CTD. If there is AC input, the fuse is ok. If there is no DC output, the power supply is
defective.
The sea cable supply is built on two parallel aluminum rails that are immediately behind
the main logic board of the Deck Unit. Make sure that there is 115/230 VAC input on the
transformer primaries at T1, the large open frame unit at the left rear of the Deck Unit.
There should be approximately 330 VDC across the large blue electrolytic C2 capacitor. If
there is, make sure that the voltage across R1, the 4 K ohm, 11 watt bleeder resistor. If
the voltage is correct at R1 and there is still no sea cable voltage, one of the leads to
T1 may be broken. If the unregulated voltage at C2 is absent, the D1 bridge rectifier is
probably defective.

8.5 Data LED does not turn on

Cause
The data LED does not turn on, but the Deck Unit transmits data to the PC. The wiring to
the light or the light driver at U25 may be broken.
Cause
The data LED does not turn on and the Deck Unit does not transmit data to the PC.

44
 Troubleshooting

Solution
1. Make sure that there is voltage at main internal supply turrets on the Digital PCB.
Relative to the GND turret with the black wire, voltages should be (±0.5 V) +12 at
orange, +5 at red, and -12 at blue. Voltage outside these ranges can be caused by a
fault in the Power-One open-frame supply or an excessive load on one or more of the
supply busses. Disconnect the red, orange, or blue lead to determine if the problem is
in the power supply or on the power bus.
2. If the problem is with the power bus, connect the power supply leads again.
Disconnect the ribbon cable connector at JP1 on the Digital PCB. If measured
voltages are not correct the problem is with the Receiver/Modem PCB. If there is no
change, the problem is probably in the Digital PCB logic board. Look for shorted
bypass connectors, ICs (a shorted unit may be hot), etc.
3. If the power supply levels are correct, make sure the Receiver/Modem PCB operates
correctly. With the CTD connected, look for a telemetry waveform on the "L" side of
the Receiver/Modem PCB input terminal at J1. The Receiver/Modem PCB is under
the main logic PCB. Remove the Deck Unit bottom cover to access this board.

8.6 RS232 does not work

Solutions
Select the SBE 11 Interface in the Configure menu of Seaterm. Verify that the baud rate
is correct. A typical Deck Unit uses 19200 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity to
communicate.
Verify that the commands transmitted by RS232 device are correct. For example, GR
must be used to start to transmit data to the RS232 interface.
Verify that the connection to JP6, the RS232 I/O connector, is correctly attached. This
connector can be attached 180 degrees to normal position, which reverses the RX and
TX connections.
Evaluate the circuitry associated with U15 and U17.

8.7 IEEE488 does not work

Solutions
Make sure that the IEEE488 address is set to 1. This is the default, and is the required
address for the Seasave software. If the interfaces requires a different address use
GPIB=N to change the address
If non-Sea-Bird Scientific software is used, verify that the IEEE488 device transmits the
correct commands to the Deck Unit. For example, GPIB=N must be used to start to
transmit data to the IEEE488 interface.
Verify that the ribbon connector JP3, to the Digital PCB, is securely attached.
Evaluate the circuitry associated with U18.

8.8 Modem channel does not work

The Deck Unit and water sampler and/or the serial data output sensor connected to the
CTD use the modem channel to communicate.
Solution
Verify test point TP2 on the CTD modem PCB with an oscilloscope. There should be a
1070 Hz sine wave with and amplitude of at least 50 MV peak-to-peak. The sine wave
should change frequency when the CTD modem transmits characters.
Solution
Verify there is no signal. Put the Deck Unit thumbwheel switch in position 11[B]. With the
CTD connected to the Deck Unit, the left-most bit should be 0. If it is 1, there is no signal.

45
Troubleshooting

Verify test point TP1 on the Deck Unit Receiver/Modem PCB. The sine wave should be
2225 Hz 4 V peak-to-peak.

8.9 Error message: unsupported modem

The error message FFFFFFFF Unsupported modem message: xx xx xx from the
Carousel.
Causes
There may be noise on the line that causes extra characters to be transmitted.
The serial port for water sampler control may be incorrect.
The Carousel does not function correctly and sends bad messages.
Solutions
Verify there is no damage to the sea cable. Also verify the cable between the water
sampler and the CTD is not damaged and is connected correctly.
In Seasave, make sure the serial port setting is correct. From Configure Inputs, go to
the Serial Ports tab, then the Water Sampling and 911 Pump Control Serial Port area.
This should be the port connected to the SBE 11plus Modem Channel connector.

8.10 Scan length error in Data Processing

Cause
The scan length in the data file does not match the selected .xmlcon or .con file. The Data
Conversion module of the Data Processing software will not process the data.
Solution
In the Data Conversion module, go to the Options menu, then select Diagnostics. In the
new window, select Display Log File. This shows the Diagnostics file and "scan length
error" message. Look at the configuration file and the header in the data file and correct
the configuration file as required.

8.11 NMEA Interface does not work

Solutions
Make sure that the cables and connections between the Deck Unit, the NMEA device,
and the PC are correct.
Make sure that the NMEA device is set to either 4800 or 9600 baud. Use the DS
command to verify that the NMEA Interface baud rate on the Deck Unit is correct. Reset
the baud rate on the device if necessary.
If there is no data transmitted, refer to the manual for the device for setup details. To
verify that the device can transmit data, connect an oscilloscope with ground on NMEA B
(T17) and the probe on NMEA A (T16). This signal should be less than 0.5 V between
messages and have pulses greater than 4 V for at least 0.2 milliseconds during the
message.
To verify that the NMEA Interface does not operate correctly, use the NMEA Test
program, which simulates a NMEA navigation device.
8.11.1 NMEA message simulation program
Part of the Seasoft V2 software, in the Data Processing module, is NMEA Test, a
program to troubleshoot NMEA messages. The software simulates a NMEA navigation
device that transmits messages in RMA, RMC, GLL, or CGA formats. If the system does
not work with the NMEA navigation device but works with NMEA Test, the problem is with
the interface cable from the NMEA navigation device to the Deck Unit, or in the NMEA
navigation device.

46
 Troubleshooting

The software is a simulation, and does not generate actual data. The baud rate (4800 or
9600) and the time between messages are user-programmable, as is the NMEA
message format. The user can also specify a raw NMEA data file to use for the
simulation. Refer to NMEA message format on page 20 for details.
The NMEA Test software requires a second PC to emulate the NMEA navigation device,
or a spare COM port on the connected PC. Make sure the Deck Unit is connected to the
CTD to test the NMEA interface. If it is not connected noise on the open Sea Cable
connector will interfere with communication with the CTD.
Use the NMEA interface test cable to connect the Deck Unit NMEA to the simulation PC.
Test cable connections:
MS3102A12S-3P DB-9S Function
Pin A Pin 3 NMEA A, signal
Pin B Pin 5 NMEA B, signal return

Use the software to test the NMEA communication:

1. On PC 1,use Seaterm to record the NMEA baud rate in the status command
response. It needs to be 4800 or 9600.
2. On PC 2, start NMEA Test. The software is in the same directory as SBE Data
Processing.
3. On the NMEA Test screen, select the Configure menu. In the Configure window,
select:
• NMEA message to be simulated, RMA, RMC, GLL, or CGA, or use a current
NMEA data file: select Send File and navigate to the file you want to use.
• Baud rate of 4800 or 9600. Make sure the Deck Unit baud rate is the same.
• COM port on PC 2 to transmit the NMEA data to the Deck Unit.
• Message interval, the time between simulated messages to be transmitted to the
Deck Unit.
Push OK.
4. Select Start. NMEA data should show on PC 2 each time the simulation program
transmits a new position.
5. On PC 1, set up Seasave and start data collection. Data should show in Seasave.
The latitude and longitude that shows in Seasave should be the same as the simulation
program for the raw and decoded NMEA message formats. If correctly decoded data
shows, the NMEA Interface in the Deck Unit operates correctly. If the system works with
the simulation program but does not work when connected to the actual NMEA navigation
device, the problem is with the cable from the NMEA device to the Deck Unit, or in the
NMEA navigation device itself.
• Verify that the cable pinouts are correct.
• If the cable is correct, verify that the NMEA navigation device is on and is configured
to send data. Many NMEA devices have programmable NMEA outputs and may need
to be configured before they will transmit NMEA messages. Refer to the
documentation for the device for details.

47
Troubleshooting

48
Section 9 Command summary
General setup
Command Description
DS show status and setup parameters
GPIB=x x=IEEE488 address. Default=1. Must be set to 1 to work with Seasave.
Advance Cn=x n=conductivity channel, 0 or 1
x=time (seconds) to advance channel
AdvanceVn=x n=A/D channel, 0–7
x=time (seconds) to advance channel. Maximum = 10.

NMEA
Command Description
NMEABaud=x x=baud rate for communication between Deck Unit and NMEA navigation device, 4800 or 9600
NSR diagnostic use
output Lat/Lon/Time ASCII data over RS232 SBE 11 interface to terminal program
NSI diagnostic use
output Lat/Lon/Time ASCII data over IEEE488 SBE 11 interface to terminal program
Nx sent automatically by Seasave based on .xmlcon or .con file setting.
x=Y: add 7 bytes of Lat/Lon data to CTD data
x=N: do not

Surface PAR
Command Description
AddSPAR=x x=Y: add Surface PAR voltage data to CTD data
x=N: do not
Offset=x x=offset voltage used to adjust Surface PAR data for drift in Deck Unit electronics

Pressure Frequency and Pressure Temperature

Command Description
PBaud=x x=baud for pressure frequency and pressure temperature output from Deck Unit, 1200, 2400, 4800,
9600, or 19200

Autorun
Command Description
Autorun=x x=N: do not automatically start data collection on power on. Default
x=Y: at power on, automatically start data collection, and do not send and show DS command
AddNMEA=x affects operation if Autorun=Y
x=Y: add Lat/Lon data to CTD data
x=N: do not

Converted Data Output (CDO)

Commands are sent to the Deck Unit through the Remote Out connector using Seaterm.
Commands TCalDate through AltScale are sent automatically when PROG11v2 is used.
• F = floating point number
• S = string with no spaces
• N = integer

49
Command summary

Command Description
DS show CDO setup parameters
DC show calibration coefficients
TCalDate=S S=primary temperature calibration date
CCalDate=S S=primary conductivity calibration date
PCalDate=S S=pressure calibration date
TF0=F F=primary temperature F0
TG=F F=primary temperature G
TH=F F=primary temperature H
TI=F F=primary temperature I
TJ=F F=primary temperature J
GC=F F=primary conductivity G
CH=F F=primary conductivity H
CI=F F=primary conductivity I
CJ=F F=primary conductivity J
CPC=F F=primary conductivity pcor
CTC=F F=primary conductivity tcor
CS=F F=primary conductivity slope
PC1=F F=pressure C1
PC2=F F=pressure C2
PC3=F F=pressure C3
PC1=F F=pressure D1
PT1=F F=pressure T1
PT2=F F=pressure T2
PT3=F F=pressure T3
PT4=F F=pressure T4
PS=F F=pressure slope
PO=F F=pressure offset
PM=F F=pressure M
PB=F F=pressure B
AltVolt=N N=CTD A/D voltage number for altimeter
AltScale=F F=altimeter scale factor
Format=x x=output format
Baud=x x=baud rate for CDO, 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200
for SBE 46, must be 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600
NAvg=x x=number of scans to average for CDO
Lat=x x=latitude, degrees, to use in calculation of depth from pressure
Alarms=x x=alarm enable parameter. Bottom contact=1, pressure=2, altimeter=4, add numbers for a combination
of alarms to include
PEnable=x x=pressure, decibars, to enable all alarms

50
 Command summary

PSet=x x=pressure, decibars, to turn on pressure alarm

AltSet=x x=distance above bottom, meters, to turn on altimeter alarm
AltHyst=x x=maximum change in distance above the bottom, meters for altimeter hysteresis
Go or Run diagnostic use
transmit CDO data to terminal program

9.1 Commands sent automatically by Seasave

Seasave automatically sends the commands below to configure the Deck Unit at the start
of real-time data collection. If software other than Seasave is used, these commands
must be sent in the order listed.
All commands and data sent to the Deck Unit must be sent as ASCII characters. When
the Deck Unit receives these commands it executes the function. All commands are kept
until the user pushes the Reset button on the Deck Unit or new commands are sent.
The general format is CRL, where:
• C = command
• R = carriage return (not required)
• L = ASCII character for line feed (10 decimal or 0A hexidecimal).
Reset Data Buffers
Command Description
R reset and flush buffers. Does not put data into buffers, keeps all parameters the same
any command except Start Collecting Data and Stop Placing Data into Buffers causes Reset Data
Buffers to execute automatically, so the data first transmitted after the command will have new format

Unsuppress All Data Words

Command Description
U restore all words to data stream. Send once before an Xn command is sent

Number of Scans to Average

Command Description
Axx xx=scans averaged by Deck Unit, 1–50

Suppress Data Word

Command Description
Xn n=suppressed word number, hex. Channels can be erased from the data stream that is transmitted to the
PC with Xn. For frequency channels, a word has 1 channel. For A/D, a word has 2 channels. This command
reduces the size of the scan, and thus the space required to store data.

NMEA
If Seasave is used, the data to be suppressed and the addition of NMEA data is entered
in the .xmlcon or .con file. The Deck Unit sends the appropriate Xn and Nx commands
based on the settings in the configuration file.
Command Description
Nx x=y: add Lat/Lon data to CTD data
x=n: do not

Start Collecting Data

51
Command summary

Command Description
Gx x=I, R, or B
commands the Deck Unit to put data into its buffers at a rate of the number of scans averaged.
x=I: put data into IEEE488 buffer
x=R: put data into RS232 buffer
x=B: put data into both buffers
the PC uses the appropriate bus protocol to get this data

Stop Placing Data into Buffers

Command Description
S data is not put into buffers. Send S to stop data collection

The Deck Unit automatically sends the following commands as applicable when the user
pushes the Home/Arm and Fire buttons.
To SBE 32 Carousel
Command Description
#SR go to home position (position #1)
#SF fire next position (sequential fire)
#SNx fire position x (first position is 1)
examples:
#S2—fire position #2
#SN<—fire position #12

Replies Description
6, !, 6 at home position
6, #, 6 received invalid bottle number
6, -, 6 did not confirm fire
6, 49, 6 fired bottle #2
6, 72, 6 fired bottle #24

G.O. 1015 Rosette to CTD

Command Description
#ENBL supply power to Rosette
#FIRE remove power to Rosette, fire bottle

Replies Description
#ENABLED ready to fire bottle
#CONFIRM bottle fire confirm pulse sensed

G.O. 1016 Rosette to CTD

Command Description
#GH go to home position
#GOx set arm offset to x, go to home position
#GF fire position, move to next position

52
 Command summary

#GNx go to position x
examples:
#GN2—go to position #2
GN:—go to position #10

Replies Description
7, Oxf2, 7 positioning error, return to home
7, Oxf4, 7 positioning error, could not find home
7, Oxc9, 7 ready to fire position #1, home
7, Oxca, 7 ready to fire position #2, home

Miscellaneous
These commands apply to a CTD with an optional control line on the Modem PCB. Use to
control a device such as a pump, wired to the control line
Command Description
#P0 control function off (line logic set low)
#P1 control function on (line logic set high)

53
Command summary

54
Section 10 General information

WARNING
This product can expose the user to chemicals with silica, crystalline (airborne particles of
respirable size), which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Revised editions of this user manual are on the manufacturer's website.

10.1 Warranty
Refer to the manufacturer's website for warranty information (seabird.com/warranty).

10.2 Service and support

The manufacturer recommends that sensors be sent back to the manufacturer annually to
be cleaned, calibrated, and for standard maintenance.
Refer to the website for FAQs and technical notes, or contact the manufacturer for
support at [email protected]. Do the steps below to send a sensor back to the
manufacturer.

1. Complete the online Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) form or contact the
manufacturer.
Note: The manufacturer is not responsible for damage to the sensor during return shipment.
2. Remove all batteries from the sensor, if so equipped.
3. Remove all anti-fouling treatments and devices.
Note: The manufacturer will not accept sensors that have been treated with anti-fouling
compounds for service or repair. This includes AF 24173 devices, tri-butyltin, marine anti-
fouling paint, ablative coatings, etc.
4. Use the sensor's original ruggedized shipping case to send the sensor back to the
manufacturer.
5. Write the RMA number on the outside of the shipping case and on the packing list.
6. Use 3rd-day air to ship the sensor back to the manufacturer. Do not use ground
shipping.
7. The manufacturer will supply all replacement parts and labor and pay to send the
sensor back to the user via 3rd-day air shipping.

10.3 China RoHS disclosure table

Name of Part Hazardous substance or element in product
Pb Hg Cd Cr(VI) PBB PBDE
PCBs X O O O O O
Cables X O O O O O
Housing O O O O O O
Mounting hardware O O O O O O
Accessories O O O O O O
This table is compiled to the SJ/T 11364 standard.
O: This hazardous substance is below the specified limits as described in GB/T 26572.
X: This hazardous substance is above the specified limits as described in GB/T 26572.

55
General information

10.4 Spare parts and accessories

Part number Description
17556 Deck Unit signal input cable, from slip rings to Deck Unit, 10 m
17557 Deck Unit signal input cable, from slip rings to Deck Unit, 20 m
17841 Deck Unit signal input cable, from slip rings to Deck Unit, 30 m
17912 Deck Unit signal input cable, from slip rings to Deck Unit, 50 m
50086 2-contact connector, Deck Unit sea cable input
801587 Test cable, 11/33/36 Deck Unit to 9/32/PDIM, 10 m
801422 NMEA test cable, DB9S to MS3106A, SBE 11p/33/36/45, 1.8 m
801429 Test cable, remote data output, DB9S to MS3106A, 1.8 m
171887 RS232 serial cable, DB9P to DB9S, 3 m
801367 Cable, QSR/QCR-2200 SPAR to Deck Unit 15 m
801368 Cable, QSR/QCR-2200 SPAR to Deck Unit 30 m
171890 RS232 serial data uplink cable, DB9P to DB9S, 3 m
17015 AC power cord, US standard, 2 m
17824 AC power cord, European plug, 2 m

56
Sea-Bird Electronics
13431 NE 20th Street
Bellevue WA 98005 U.S.A.
(425) 643-9866

© Sea-Bird Electronics, Inc., 2023. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.

*SBE11plusV2*