Conditional Sampling of Oceanic Variability with Microprocessor-Controlled Instrumentation

To optimize the limited cassette tape storage capacity of remote oceanographic instruments, we are employing various "conditional sampling" schemes. These make use of the power of a microprocessor-based data logger to sample the environment "conditionally." The microprocessor examines the energy in various frequency bands (by digital techniques) and adjusts its sampling scheme to sample the appropriate frequency band. We have implemented a conditional sampling scheme on a microprocessor-based instrument and used it in several deployments on the continental shelf. Our current conditional sampling scheme and some results are presented to show the advantage of using such sophisticated sampling techniques.