Wiki source code of SmartSolo Node Seismometers

Version 74.2 by robert on 2025/07/31 19:59

version	line-number	content
1.1	1	(% class="row" %)
	2	(((
	3	(% class="col-xs-12 col-sm-8" %)
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42.3	5	= Node Types =
39.1	6
42.3	7	ANSIR carry two types of three-channel nodes
39.1	8
42.3	9	* SmartSolo IGU 16HR 3C (5 Hz Short Period)
63.1	10	* SmartSolo BD3C-5 (5 Second Broadband)
39.1	11
63.1	12	Both have a battery capacity of around 30 days. The programming, operation and downloading procedures for both types of SmartSolo nodes are also similar.
39.1	13
	14	----
	15
42.4	16	= Programming Defaults =
17.1	17
74.2	18	The nodes must be programmed in the SoloLite software prior to use. Screenshots for the short period 16HR-3C and broadband BDC3-5 are shown with our recommended parameters.
17.1	19
74.2	20	[[IGU-16 3C (short period node) programming screen set at 250 Hz. Ensure that the highlighted areas are set!>>image:SP_programming.labels.png\|\|alt="IGU-16 3C programming screen"]]
	21
	22	[[BD3C-5 (broadband node) programming screen set at 250 hz. Ensure that the highlighted areas are set!>>image:BB_programming.labels.png\|\|alt="BD3C-5 programming screen"]]
	23
	24	FIFO (first in, first out) data mode is safest as this will overwrite old data in case you forgot to clear the storage. At <= 250 hz you can fit 4++ months of data on these, shouldn't be an issue.
	25
	26	Be sure to set the channel types to Seismic and the gain appropriately. For active source (i.e. explosions) you can leave the gain at 0, but for passive experiments some gain is purported to be helpful (although we have found this to be somewhat negligible). We can confirm that 6db for the broadband nodes and 24db for the short period works well.
	27
	28	In newer versions of the software there is a "power consumption" setting.. we are no sure what this does exactly, but the manual says it gives life a "boost" at the expense of about 3 db of resolution. Until this can be quantified a bit better it is not recommended.
	29
	30	Storage type can be DLD (proprietary) or Miniseed. We assume the software works best with their proprietary format so prefer not to risk any issues. You can output to miniseed later.
	31
	32	GPS mode is best in cycle mode (e.g. once per hour) instead of constant. The clock drift on these are almost nil even if there is no sync at all, so it's best to conserve power.
	33
	34	We recommend that the SP 16HR-3C be set to a gain of 24db for passive experiments and no higher than 250 Hz sampling rate unless there is an explicit reason to do so. The BD3C-5 should be set to a gain of 6db (which is the maximum allowed) for passive experiments (or 0 db if active).
	35
57.1	36	Note that this gain must be removed when exporting to miniseed, otherwise amplitudes will be a factor of either 15.84893192 (24db) or 2 (6db) too high. We also recommend disabling bluetooth to increase battery life, and to enable "FIFO" mode just in case old data is still present on the units and you run out of space (although it is unlikely you will go over 64 Gb for one deploy). If using the "timed turn-on" option, please be aware that the units will not begin recording until they have acquired a GPS lock, which may nor occur if they are buried too deeply or have very poor sky view.
23.1	37
43.2	38	= Fieldwork Preparation =
17.1	39
18.2	40	(% class="box warningmessage" %)
	41	(((
22.1	42	INVEST IN FAST EXTERNAL HARD DRIVES – DO NOT LET THIS BE THE LIMITATION OF DATA HARVESTING
	43
43.1	44	Assume ~~1 Tb of storage for both raw and exported data per 50 nodes @ 250 Hz & 30 days. One node recording at 250 Hz for 30 days tends to create about 3 Gb of miniseed data.
60.1	45
	46	We have had good experience with the 4Tb Samsung T7 Shield drives.
17.1	47	)))
	48
57.1	49	== Magnets ==
	50
	51	If you are short on magnets, you may find it easier and a lot cheaper to buy magnets in Australia. AMF Magnetics is a good retailer, and [[this item>>https://magnet.com.au/collections/shop?q=23012B]] seems to work well. It is also advantageous to use smaller magnets and store/carry them individually in your back pocket (as well as stick them to various places in your field vehicle, etc).
	52
	53	== Animal-Proofing ==
	54
	55	We have experienced times where foxes (or some other animal) will dig up nodes and potentially carry them off for tens or hundreds of meteres. Being sanitary with the rope handles (e.g. not getting food grease on them) seems to help, as well as spraying the nodes and handles with methylated spirits et al. when deploying. There are other specialized products available depending on your environment.
	56
18.2	57	= Installation =
17.1	58
62.1	59	(% class="box infomessage" %)
	60	(((
	61	Field logs are a critical component of fieldwork and this is especially the case for large N nodal deploys. Take notes!
	62	)))
	63
64.1	64	== 1. Logbook documentation ==
17.1	65
18.2	66	(((
62.1	67	Essential Details for field logs:
18.2	68
	69	* Station name
62.1	70	* Latitude, longitude, elevation
18.2	71	* Names of team members present
62.1	72	* Date and both local & UTC time of installation/removal
	73	* Serial number (SN) of the TOP HALF of the sensor (if a BD3C-5, there is only one serial number)
	74	* Detailed notes on the site conditions and setup, anything else that will be helpful to find it again ("by the fence", "south of rock", etc)
18.2	75
64.1	76	[[HERE>>http://auspass.edu.au/field/NODES_blank_fieldlog.pdf]] is an example logsheet that works well for nodes, feel free to print and use!
	77
60.3	78	== 2. Node Placement ==
17.1	79	)))
	80
42.3	81	Protection: Place nodes inside (landfill) biodegradable bags to minimize cleaning and cross-site soil contamination.
17.1	82
18.2	83	Site Analysis:
	84
42.2	85	* Take compass measurements away from the sensor as it will affect your measurement.
62.1	86	* Take photographs from various angles to document the site setup thoroughly.
	87	* Include a detailed site description in your notes
18.2	88
60.3	89	== 3. GPS Considerations ==
18.2	90
20.1	91	(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
43.2	92	The GPS antenna is at the top and center of the unit, and will (usually) only receive signal with a clear sky view directly above. The signal is able to penetrate plastic and terracotta planters and a thin layer of soil, but may struggle if the soil layer is too thick. These nodes will not start recording without attaining a GPS lock and repeated attempts will excessively drain the battery.
20.1	93
60.3	94	== 4. Visibility and Location Marking ==
20.1	95
18.2	96	Flag Placement: Position a flag, preferably in a bright color (avoid green or yellow), near the instrument to aid in its future location.
	97
	98	GPS Marking:
	99
	100	* Use a GPS device to mark the instrument's exact location.
	101	* Record this location in both your paper notes and the GPS device.
	102
60.3	103	== (% style="color:inherit; font-family:inherit; font-size:max(18px, min(20px, 14.4444px + 0.462963vw))" %)5. Charge Time, Pre-Deployment & Post-Deployment(%%) ==
18.3	104
20.1	105	* Charging Duration: Both types of nodes take approximately 6-8 hours to fully charge from a flat state.
	106	* Pre-Deployment Charging:
42.2	107	** Although the nodes hold their charge well, it's beneficial to give them a "top up" charge before deployment.
20.1	108
	109	* Operational Duration:
42.2	110	** When recording at 250 Hz, with GPS on and Bluetooth disabled, the instruments are expected to last about 30 days per charge cycle. If they are set to run only overnight, this can be extended to 60 days.
20.1	111
	112	* Post-Retrieval Charging:
42.2	113	** After retrieval, charge the instruments to about 50-60% (indicated as "orange" level) unless they are to be immediately re-deployed.
20.1	114	* Storage and Shipping Charge Level:
43.2	115	** Maintain a battery charge level of around 50-60% (e.g. "orange") for both storage and shipping purposes.
20.1	116	** This charge level is recommended to prevent battery damage and is safe for transportation.
60.4	117	Nodes should not be stored fully charged, and they should especially not be stored with 0 charge as this damages lithium batteries.**
20.1	118
42.2	119	(((
60.3	120	== 6. Data Sharing and Metadata Creation ==
28.1	121	)))
20.1	122
18.3	123	GPS Data:
	124
43.2	125	* Ensure you have documented precise lat/lon locations for each station and DOCUMENTED THIS CAREFULLY
18.3	126
	127	Photo Sharing:
	128
43.2	129	* It is strongly encouraged to take pictures of each site and upload these to a shared platform (OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.).
18.3	130
	131	Metadata File:
	132
60.3	133	* Create and organize metadata according to the [[ANU metadata standard txt file>>attach:example_metadata.txt]]. This is going to be particularly important if you are reusing nodes at different sites... not documenting the serial numbers (of the top half of the node) and the times they were deployed can lead to station mix-ups.
18.3	134
60.3	135	== 7. Additional Best Practices ==
18.3	136
43.2	137	* Training and Familiarisation: Make sure all team members are adequately trained in using the GPS devices, compass use, and other equipment to ensure consistent and accurate data collection.
18.3	138
24.2	139	----
18.3	140
43.2	141	= Seismic Station Demobilization and Documentation =
24.1	142
	143	1. (((
	144	Preparation for Demobilization:
	145
43.2	146	* Before starting the demobilization process, ensure you have a compass, tape, marker, pen, masking tape, clipboard, logbook, and compass ready in your tote bag.
24.1	147	)))
	148	1. (((
	149	Locating the instrument:
	150
	151	* Use the downloaded GPS file to accurately locate the node for demobilization.
	152	* Import this KMZ file onto your phone for easy reference and location tracking.
	153	* Utilize Google Maps or Google Earth to create a KMZ file of the station’s location.
	154	)))
	155	1. (((
	156	Labeling Instruments for Demobilization:
	157
43.2	158	* Write the station name and the instrument’s serial number on a masking tape label to apply to the top of the node.
24.1	159	* Add markers 'D' (for download), 'C' (for charge), and ‘R’ (for removal) next to checkboxes on the label.
	160	* Affix this label to the top of the instrument to avoid confusion during the charging and downloading data.
	161	)))
	162	1. (((
	163	Photographing the Setup Node:
	164
	165	* Take a photo of the entire setup node with the __//label//__ and __//compass visible//__.
	166	* This photo serves as a final record of the instrument’s condition and orientation at the time of removal.
	167	)))
	168	1. (((
	169	Logging Demobilization Details:
	170
	171	* Use the field logbook to note the time of demobilization, serial numbers, and station name.
	172	* Record any observations or issues related to the instrument’s orientation, level, or any other relevant factors.
	173	)))
	174	1. (((
	175	Final Checks and Equipment Removal:
	176
	177	* Before physically removing the instrument, double-check that all necessary data has been downloaded and all photos and notes have been taken.
	178	* Carefully dismantle and pack the equipment, ensuring that all components are accounted for and securely stored for transport.
39.1	179
	180
24.1	181	)))
	182
40.1	183	[[image:1706153556166-231.jpeg\|\|data-xwiki-image-style-alignment="center" height="345" width="460"]]
37.2	184
24.2	185	----
24.1	186
43.2	187	= Charging Procedure for Seismic Nodes =
24.1	188
45.1	189	(((
60.3	190	== 1. Preparation for Charging: ==
24.1	191
24.2	192	* Before charging, ensure each node is clean. This involves removing any dirt or debris to maintain the integrity of the equipment and ensure effective charging.
	193	)))
24.1	194
45.1	195	(((
60.3	196	== 2. Disassembling the Node: ==
45.1	197
42.2	198	* For the IGU-16HR, remove the battery (bottom half) from the sensor. This is done by unscrewing the spikes counter-clockwise.
24.2	199	)))
24.1	200
45.1	201	(((
60.3	202	== 3. Setting Nodes in the Charging Box: ==
45.1	203
42.2	204	* Place 1-16 IGU-16HR battery components upside-down into the charger, assuring they are oriented properly.
24.2	205	)))
24.1	206
45.1	207	(((
60.3	208	== 4. Monitoring the Charging Process: ==
45.1	209
42.2	210	* Once the nodes are set in the charging box and the charging process begins, lights adjacent to the batteries will illuminate. These lights indicate that charging is underway.
	211	* Observe the transition of the lights from steady red to orange, then to green, and finally to flashing green. A flashing green light signifies that the batteries are fully charged. For storage, the goal is to charge them to ORANGE.
24.2	212	)))
24.1	213
45.1	214	(((
60.3	215	== 5. Updating Charge Status: ==
45.1	216
34.2	217	* During the charging period, take this opportunity to update the status of each unit. Check the //"C"// box on your temporary labels to indicate that the unit has been successfully charged.
24.2	218	* This step is crucial for tracking the charging status of multiple units, especially when handling a large number of nodes.
	219	)))
24.1	220
39.1	221	[[IGU 16-HRcharger (left) and harvester (right)>>image:1705195933422-337.png\|\|data-xwiki-image-style-alignment="center" height="299" width="530"]]
36.2	222
	223
37.2	224
	225
39.1	226	[[image:1706153354750-415.png\|\|data-xwiki-image-style-alignment="center" height="317" width="562"]]
37.2	227
24.2	228	----
24.1	229
45.2	230	= Downloading and Converting Seismic Data to MiniSeed Format =
24.1	231
60.3	232	== Node Registration and Software Setup ==
24.1	233
24.2	234	1. (((
	235	Registering Nodes in the System:
24.1	236
24.2	237	* To begin, register the nodes in the system so the software can recognize them.
	238	* Navigate to the installation folder of “SmartSoloApps SoloLite”.
	239	* Right-click on deviceconfig.exe and choose “run as an administrator”. Save the file to the “deviceconfig” directory (refer to the snapshot below).
	240	* To avoid double registration, replace the file each time you register a new node.
	241	)))
	242	1. (((
	243	Creating a New Project in SoloLite:
24.1	244
24.2	245	* Open the “SoloLite” software.
	246	* Go to “File” and create a new project. Don't worry about finding the exact 16 nodes used in script writing.
	247	* Ignore the settings for seismic recordings in the subsequent window. Resetting instruments (e.g., sampling rate, gain) requires reprogramming via script.
	248	)))
	249
60.3	250	== Data Downloading Process ==
24.2	251
	252	1. (((
	253	Initiating Data Download:
	254
	255	* Once a new project is created, the Data Transfer View panel will display connected nodes with details like series number and data size.
	256	* If “Prospect not matched” appears, it simply means the new project doesn’t match the original programming project. This is not a concern.
	257	* Select all nodes and right-click to “force download”. This starts the download process.
	258	* Completed downloads will appear as new folders in the Downloaded Data panel.
	259	)))
	260	1. (((
	261	Exporting Data in Readable Format:
	262
	263	* Go to the “Tool” menu and select “export seismic data”.
	264	* Tailor other parameters to personal preference and ensure "Sample Interval" matches the setting used during node reset.
	265	* Click “prepare” followed by “run” to start reformatting. Monitor this process in the small panel at the bottom left.
29.1	266	* (% class="box warningmessage" %)
	267	(((
61.1	268	* Ensure to export data as "COUNTS" (int32), not "mV" (float). This is critical!
24.2	269
61.1	270	* Set "Remove Gain" to the same decibel gain as during programming. By default ANU sets this to 24db for short period nodes (a scaling factor of 15.848932), and 6db (a factor of 2.0) for broadband nodes.
27.1	271	)))
	272	)))
24.4	273
60.3	274	== Handling Nodes During Download ==
24.2	275
	276	1. (((
	277	Monitoring Download Indicators:
	278
	279	* During download, green lights on nodes will blink, and associated red lights on the rack will flash.
	280	* Disconnect nodes properly before unplugging anything.
	281	* Be cautious: if the laptop enters sleep mode, the download will pause.
	282	)))
	283	1. (((
35.1	284	//Investment in Storage Hardware~://
24.2	285
28.1	286	* (% class="box warningmessage" %)
	287	(((
31.2	288	* Use fast external hard drives to avoid limitations in data harvesting.
	289
	290	* Recommended specifications: USB-C, USB 3.0, and 4+ Tb of space.
61.1	291	* The USB type for the harvester is TYPE-A, the typical normal rectangular shape.
24.2	292	)))
28.1	293	)))
24.2	294	1. (((
	295	Metadata and Time Settings:
	296
	297	* Ensure all metadata is saved with the file.
	298	* System auto-determines the earliest data time as the start time. You can set it a day earlier at 00:00:00 for 24-hour data segments starting from midnight.
	299	)))
	300	1. (((
	301	Finalizing the Download:
	302
34.1	303	* After downloading, mark the //"D"// box on your temporary labels to indicate completion.
36.1	304
	305
24.2	306	)))
	307
39.1	308	[[image:1706153266647-145.png\|\|data-xwiki-image-style-alignment="center" height="340" width="603"]]
36.2	309
	310
	311
39.1	312	[[Caption>>image:1705195543887-977.png\|\|data-xwiki-image-style-alignment="center" height="534" width="632"]]
36.2	313
	314
	315
	316
39.1	317	[[Caption>>image:1705195543890-537.png\|\|data-xwiki-image-style-alignment="center" height="397" width="665"]]
36.2	318
37.1	319
36.2	320
39.1	321	[[Caption>>image:1705195543891-334.png\|\|data-xwiki-image-style-alignment="center" height="379" width="650"]]
	322
	323
	324
	325	[[image:1705195543898-365.png\|\|data-xwiki-image-style-alignment="center" height="467" width="674"]]
	326
36.1	327	----
	328
45.5	329	= Cleaning =
36.1	330
59.1	331	When still connected, the nodes are water resistant (don't submerge them!) and can handle a good spray / wipedown. A strong, non-wire brush is helpful to reach areas between the metal spikes on the bottom.
36.1	332
48.1	333	= Weights (for shipping) =
	334
	335	The weights of bags of nodes, as well as data harvesters and node chargers, are listed below:
	336
49.1	337	1 bag + 6 SP (IGU-16HR) nodes: 18 kg
48.1	338
49.1	339	1 SP (IGU-16HR) data harvester: 21.5 kg
48.1	340
49.1	341	1 SP (IGU-16HR) charger: 26.3 kg
48.1	342
49.1	343	1 BB (BD3C-5) charger/data harvester (with and without 16 cables): 21 kg / 14.5 kg
48.1	344
49.1	345	1 case + 5 BB (BD3C-5) nodes and 6 BB nodes: 22 kg / 25 kg
8.3	346	)))
	347
1.1	348	(% class="col-xs-12 col-sm-4" %)
	349	(((
10.1	350	(% class="box" %)
	351	(((
	352	Contents
1.1	353
44.1	354	{{toc/}}
	355
43.2	356
10.1	357	)))
1.1	358
11.1	359	(% class="box" %)
10.1	360	(((
11.1	361	= SmartSolo [[BD3C-5>>url:https://smartsolo.com/cp-4.html]] =
12.1	362
15.1	363	[[image:Smartsolo IGU BD3C 5 (2).jpg]]
	364
16.1	365	[[image:smartsolo.jpg]]
	366
13.2	367	\|(% style="width:189px" %)Frequency Band\|(% style="width:221px" %)5 Seconds to 150Hz
	368	\|(% style="width:189px" %)Sensitivity\|(% style="width:221px" %)200 V/m/s
	369	\|(% style="width:189px" %)Size (without spike)\|(% style="width:221px" %)158 x160mm
	370	\|(% style="width:189px" %)Weight\|(% style="width:221px" %)2.8 kg
	371	\|(% style="width:189px" %)Data Storage\|(% style="width:221px" %)64 Gb
49.3	372	\|(% style="width:189px" %)Battery\|(% style="width:221px" %)(((
	373	Lithium-ion battery contained in equipment (168.84 Wh)
	374
	375	UN3481 PI967 S1
12.1	376	)))
49.3	377	)))
11.1	378
12.1	379	(% class="box" %)
	380	(((
69.1	381	= SmartSolo [[IGU-16HR>>url:https://smartsolo.com/cp-3.html]]3C =
11.1	382
16.1	383	[[image:smartsolo node.jpg]]
	384
	385	[[image:smartsolo node 2.jpg]]
	386
13.2	387	\|(% style="width:187px" %)Frequency Band\|(% style="width:224px" %)5 Hz to 1652Hz
	388	\|(% style="width:187px" %)Sensitivity\|(% style="width:224px" %)67.7 V/m/s
	389	\|(% style="width:187px" %)Size (with spike)\|(% style="width:224px" %)103mm(L) × 95mm(W) × 187mm
42.2	390	\|(% style="width:187px" %)Weight\|(% style="width:224px" %)2.4 kg
13.2	391	\|(% style="width:187px" %)Data Storage\|(% style="width:224px" %)64 Gb
49.2	392	\|(% style="width:187px" %)Battery\|(% style="width:224px" %)(((
49.3	393	Lithium-ion battery contained in equipment (96.48 Wh)
49.2	394
	395	UN3481 PI967 S2
10.1	396	)))
49.2	397	)))
4.1	398
66.1	399	(% class="box" %)
	400	(((
65.1	401	= SmartSolo BD3C-16 Portable Battery Charger =
	402
68.1	403	[[image:20250729_125049.jpg]]
65.1	404
	405	\|Dimensions (LxHxW)\|558 x 357 x 300mm
	406	\|Input rating\|100-210V - 50/60Hz
	407	\|Power\|1000W
	408	\|Weight\|14.5kg
	409	\|Weight with cables\|21kg
66.1	410	)))
65.1	411
66.1	412	(% class="box" id="HSmartSoloBD3C-16PortableBatteryCharger" %)
	413	(((
	414	= SmartSolo IGU-16 Portable Data Harvester =
65.1	415
68.1	416	[[image:20250729_124747.jpg]]
65.1	417
	418	\|Dimensions (LxHxW)\|625 x 500 x 366mm
	419	\|Input rating\|100-210V - 50/60Hz
	420	\|Power\|100W
	421	\|Weight\|21.5 - 24kg
	422	\|Slots no.\|16
	423	\|Download Speed\|20MB/sec/slot
66.1	424	)))
65.1	425
67.1	426	(% class="box" %)
	427	(((
	428	= SmartSolo IGU-16 Portable Battery Charger =
66.1	429
68.1	430	= [[image:20250729_124644.jpg]] =
66.1	431
65.1	432	\|Dimensions (LxHxW)\|625 x 500 x 366mm
	433	\|Input rating\|100-210V - 50/60Hz
	434	\|Power\|640W
	435	\|Weight\|26.3kg
	436	\|Slots no.\|16
67.1	437	)))
65.1	438
72.1	439	(% class="box" %)
	440	(((
	441	= SmartSolo BD3C-5 Carry Bag =
65.1	442
72.1	443	[[image:20250729_124957.jpg]]
67.1	444
68.1	445
72.1	446	\|Dimensions (LxHxW)\|590 x 225 x 405mm
74.1	447	\|Weight\|8.2kg
72.1	448	\|Slots no.\|6
	449	)))
69.1	450
67.1	451	(% class="box" %)
	452	(((
70.1	453	= SmartSolo IGU-16 3C Carry Bag =
67.1	454
68.1	455	[[image:20250729_124502.jpg]]
	456
65.1	457	\|Dimensions (LxHxW)\|230 x 340 x 310mm
74.1	458	\|Weight\|3.6kg
65.1	459	\|Slots no.\|6
67.1	460	)))
65.1	461
67.1	462	(% class="box" %)
	463	(((
70.1	464	= SmartSolo IGU-16 1C Carry Bag =
67.1	465
68.1	466	[[image:20250729_124558.jpg]]
	467
71.1	468	\|Dimensions (LxHxW)\|225 x 200 x 550mm
74.1	469	\|Weight\|
65.1	470	\|Slots no.\|6
1.1	471	)))
	472	)))
67.1	473	)))

Wiki source code of SmartSolo Node Seismometers

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