Valeport’s new rapidCTD uses automated wireless Bluetooth data transfer to deliver the highest quality CTD casts from underway profiling and eliminates the survey downtime normally associated with profile gathering.
Designed initially to operate autonomously with the Teledyne OceanScience rapidCAST automated underway profiling system, the new Valeport automated profiler offers SV casts without the requirement of an operator on deck and delivers near real time sound velocity profiling data. Primarily for use with deployment systems and targeted at the shallow water survey market, the highly accurate rapidCTD incorporates Valeport’s world-leading technology and can also be compatible with other winch systems.
The robust automated profiler includes a conductivity cell designed for optimum flow-through, a fast responsive thermistor sensor and a 0.01% accuracy pressure sensor, synchronously sampling at up to 32Hz to deliver the most accurate water measurements.
Bluetooth technology makes communicating with the rapidCTD fast and simple. Powered by a single C cell(1.5V Alkaline or 3.6V Lithium cell) the rapidCTD is fitted with a solid state, non-volatile flash memory capable of storing over 10 million lines of data – equivalent to 5000 profiles to 1000m with a 1m profile resolution.
Valeport plans to further develop the rapidCTD by including an optional Fluorometer sensor and an enhanced, re-chargeable battery later this year.