A high density cassette data acquisition system: Operation and applications

The Cassette Acquisition System (CAS) is a portable, self-contained recording system used extensively by the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) at Scripps Institution of Oceanography for sensing oceanographic parameters. It consists of four basic components: 1) the data aoquisition unit, 2) recorder unit, 3) power source, and 4) sensor array. The CAS has been used with a very high success rate for the measurement of nearshore waves, currents, water temperature and wind speed and direction. It has been deployed in four different configurations: 1) platform mounted with only the sensors underwater, 2) shore-based with only the sensors underwater, 3) shore-based with sensors and acquisition unit underwater, and 4) encapsulated underwater configuration. The data cassettes are processed through a decoder-unit that interfaces directly to a computer through a standard RS-232 interface or a faster custom parallel interface. Storage on computer disc or magnetic tape leaves the data readily available for processing.