Enabling APEX To Do More: Teledyne Webb Research Releases APF-11 Controller and Firmware

04.01.2017
Teledyne Webb Research announces release of the APF-11 controller and firmware as the new core of the well-known Autonomous Profiling Explorer (APEX). With nearly 8,000 floats deployed during the past 16 years, APEX has long been the workhorse of the hugely successful Argo Program monitoring temperature and salinity in the upper 2000 meters of the world’s oceans. Teledyne engineers designed the new controller and firmware to ensure APEX continues that role for years to come.

Recent Argo Program expansion to monitor upper ocean biogeochemical and optical properties carries the requirement for additional sensors. APF-11 meets this need by accommodating up to eight sensors, in addition to the conductivity, temperature and depth (CTD) sensors, enabling configuration of profiling floats that meet custom scientific requirements. The frequently deployed APEX biogeochemical (APEX BGC) configuration includes the CTD, plus sensors that measure dissolved oxygen concentration, chlorophyll fluorescence, and particulate backscatter. Teledyne recently delivered several APEX advanced multi-sensor (APEX AMS) floats featuring the APF-11 controller and firmware and sensors to measure dissolved oxygen; chlorophyll fluorescence; particle backscatter and the optical properties radiance, irradiance and transmittance. Additional APF-11 design features include file compression during Iridium transmission using the Z-modem protocol to effectively double information throughput, resulting in significant communication cost savings for the 4-plus year life of APEX. Additional features and sensors will be incorporated in future firmware releases and incorporate customer feedback and requirements. For example, integration of the Sea-Bird Electronics Float Deep SeaFET™ pH sensor is scheduled for completion in March 2017.

The International Argo Steering Team recently initiated Deep Argo program pilot networks to monitor changes in ocean bottom water temperature and salinity. Teledyne’s APEX Deep profiler is leading the way into the deep ocean, relying on APF-11 to control the high pressure pump and buoyancy engine required to reach 6,000 decibars pressure, as well as all aspects of float navigation, positioning, communications and sensor control.

Pete Furze, APEX Product Line Manager, recently stated, “With the performance enhancements enabled by APF-11, APEX is well poised to sustain the expanding Argo programs into the foreseeable future.”

Teledyne Webb Research designs and manufactures scientific instruments for oceanographic research and monitoring with a focus on extended observations over both time and space. Teledyne Webb Research specializes in three areas of ocean instrumentation: Neutrally buoyant, autonomous drifters and profilers, autonomous underwater gliding vehicles, and moored underwater sound sources. These systems are core to several major ocean monitoring programs including the international Argo array, the National Science Foundation Ocean Observatories Initiative and the U.S. Navy Littoral Battlespace Sensing – Glider (LBS-G) program of record. A Teledyne Webb Research Slocum glider, the Scarlet Knight, was the first unmanned vehicle to cross an ocean. To learn more, visit www.webbresearch.com.

Location: USA









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