The High Resolution Profiler (HRP) : user’s guide and software modifications documentation

Abstract

This report provides a User's Guide for operation of the High Resolution ProfIer (HRP) and documentation of the software structure and recent modifications. The HRP is an instrument that acquires and stores up to 16 types of physical oceanographic data. A profile is logged as the HRP falls through the water column during each deployment. It controls its dives based on user-specified trigger levels input during a pre-cast setup. Communications, the setup process, and how to check out and run the profiler are described fully. Also included are the current sensor configuration and summaries of assembly, mechanical preparation, tracking, data transfer and processing. During 1990, the software controlling the HRP was almost completely reworked in order to port VRTX (Versatile Real Time eXecutive) to the HRP. This was accomplished to facilitate use of a fast data link that was being developed. Other modifications were made to the software to improve the user interface, to alow use of up to 16Mbytes of Random Access Memory, to speed up the serial interface, and to fix previously undetected problems. In addition, the use of an altimeter to determine height above bottom was added to the dive control logic of the profiler.