SonTek/YSI Argonaut-XR Technical Manual - HydroScientific West

SonTek/YSI
Signal strength data are given in internal units called counts; one count equal 0.43 dB. Sine and
cosine velocity data are given in internal units called “vel-counts”; these have no direct
interpretation and are provided as a qualitative diagnostic tool (§7.3). The output file will have a
series of profiles recorded in succession; successive profiles are distinguished using data from the
first two output columns.
During operation, you can pause the display by pressing the Spacebar key; to resume the display
update, press Enter. To exit the program, press Esc.
7.1. Sample Program Output
Figure 16 shows the ARGCHECK output from an Argonaut SL (note only two functional beams)
deployed in a large body of water with no boundaries or underwater structures nearby.
The first plot is of primary interest to the user. This gives signal strength for each beam versus
range from the system in meters. Signal strength is given in internal logarithmic units of counts
where one count equals 0.43 dB. The profile of signal strength will typically start at a value from
130-180 counts, and will decay with range from the system.
Depending upon the environment, the signal strength profile may or may not reach the system
noise level within the displayed range (15 m for the Argonaut XR, SL, and deep-water titanium
Argonaut MD; 5 m for the standard Argonaut MD). In Figure 16, the signal strength profile does
not reach the noise floor within the displayed measurement range. If the signal strength flattens
out at the end of the range, this indicates that signal strength has reached the noise floor.
60
Figure 16 – ARGCHECK Output From Open Water
Argonaut Software Manual (March 1, 2001)