High level control of automated oceanographic and acoustic equipment and experiments

The scientific objectives of a CEC MAST2 project entitled EEVMAC (European Experimentally Validated Models for Acoustic Channels) are centred on the validation of mathematical models for a variety of acoustic frequencies, modulation formats, water depths and ranges. Trials involving two vessels will be carried out in Loch Ness, Scotland and the Mediterranean. To control equipment and data logging during measurements, high-level control software has been developed and each vessel will contain a PC on which a sequence of experimental trial configurations has been entered. Both PCs will be equipped with real time clock and GPS cards, which as well as giving vehicle position, also ensure time synchronisation. Instruments will be under GP-IB control so that each experiment is triggered automatically. The digital recorder and self-recording oceanographic monitoring equipment time-stamp each recording. Thus both acoustic experimental details and oceanographic parameters can be combined after the trials into cohesive digital tapes