SARDINE: A System for Analyzing, Recording, and Displaying Information from NRL-towchain Experiments

Abstract

In this paper we offer a novel design for shipborne date-acquisition and storage systems?one which combines the technologies of both computers and television. We describe the particular implementation SARDINE, a system developed to handle the real-time analysis, display, and storage requirements of the Naval Research Laboratory's 64-sensor towchain. Our description includes the operation of three programs which run on the system: CAL?an in situ sensor calibration routine; TEMP?a real-time temperature-field display routine; and PAT?a temperature-fluctuation patchiness processor. SARDINE operates with a 9600 baud data-input stream, and provides real-time data analysis with a Compaq Portable II computer, color displays on an RGB television monitor, and data storage on VHS videotape cassettes. The system is compact, has minimal power requirements, and costs less than $7000.