Versatile Timer &Trigger-Pulse System
GeoAcoustics have launched Timer2, a new micro-controlled timing and pulse generation unit for use with marine survey equipment when triggering at different repetition rates is a requirement.
Timer2 can provide internally generated trigger pulses at any repetition rate in 1ms increments or delay or divide an externally generated pulse.
The first unit was used by Dr Peter J Ramsay of Marine GeoSolutions (Durban, South Africa) who helped to outline the unit specifications. He states: “We use the Timer2 to synchronise the simultaneous acquisition of pinger and boomer sub-bottom profiling data. When one tries to acquire these datasets together there is generally some noise or interference from each system which is recorded onto the other. This has the effect of degrading the data quality. Using this timer unit, one can set a fixed trigger rate and sweep period which is suitable for each dataset and then delay the one trigger to avoid the cross-system noise. The unit is easy to set up and robust enough to withstand the rigours of mobilizations on vessels of opportunity. Its unique functionality has proved to be very effective in dealing with cross talk noise usually associated with two independent acoustic systems deployed simultaneously.”
The Timer2 firmware can be upgraded via a serial link which will also allow custom programs to be added for functions as diverse as PPS simulation for DGPS applications, specialist timing regimes, pulse timing verification and for testing of timing dependent data strings.
