dIdD 

Magnetic Observatory System

Description

dIdD (delta I - delta D [Inclination/Declination]) is a vector magnetometer, offering a completely integrated design, for continuous monitoring of the inclination and declination, as well as total intensity of the earth’s magnetic field.

dIdD employs a mutually orthogonal coil system which, through a simple measurement methodology, offers superior stability to fluxgate magnetometer systems used for similar applications.

dIdD is unique in that the magnetic field components are determined by a sequence of measuring one unbiased and four biased values of total magnetic fields with an integral Overhauser magnetometer based on the popular GSM-19 model, or the more economical Observatory GSM-90 model.

The GSM-19 and GSM-90 are in use at many magnetic observatories around the world today for control of absolute values of the magnetic field components collected with traditional fluxgate magnetometer systems.

The dIdD system is comprised of:

• integrated 2 bias coils and Overhauser (proton precession) magnetometer sensor

• bias control and signal processing console

• 12 VDC power supply

• optional GPS board for precise time reference

• PC software for magnetic field components computation, graphic presentation and storage

dIdD real-time data display for Windows

Features

Some of the important benefits of the dIdD vector magnetometer system include:

• ease of use - the entire system is controlled by a customized version of the popular GSM-19/GSM-90 interactive menu system supplied complete with powerful dIdD real-time data acquisition/display software for Windows 98/NT

• GPS time synchronization option - using an integrated OEM GPS card, installed in the dIdD console, GSM-19 and GSM-90 versions.

• remote control operation / interrogation from a computer terminal using RS-232

• real-time data transmission capability via RS-232 and modem to satellite and standard telephone links

Theory of Operation

The axes of the coil system are arranged so that the mutually orthogonal coils are themselves perpendicular to the Earth’s field vector, F, in the geomagnetic horizontal and vertical meridian planes.

Equal and opposite currents are sequentially introduced into the "Inclination" (I) coil, which is perpendicular to F. These deflection fields lie in the local geomagnetic meridian planes and the resultant deflected values of F (Ip and Im ) as measured by the Overhauser Magnetometer are logged. The undeflected value of F is also logged.

Then, equal and opposite currents are sequentially introduced into the Declination (D) coil, which is also perpendicular to F. The D deflection fields lie in the horizontal plane in the East-West direction. The resultant deflected values of F (D p and D m ) as measured by the Overhauser Magnetometer are also logged. 

A simple algorithm is used to determine the instantaneous angular differences between the coil axes and the direction of the Earth vector F. These angular differences are êI and êD. The X, Y, & Z components of F may be computed by adding êI and êD to base line values of Inclination and Declination for the coil system determined from an absolute measurement, giving instantaneous Inclination and Declination angles of F.

dIdD Advantages

• appropriate upgrade for magnetic observatories as a replacement for traditional vector magnetometer systems like fluxgate systems

• first of its kind, integrated design offers a new degree of portability for magnetic compass calibration applications

• because the mutually orthogonal coil system is not directly utilized for measurement of the earth field, but is used only to deflect it, the dIdD system offers unsurpassed immunity to temperature changes and aging of coil materials

High Sensitivity Indirect Vector

Measurements

Since all measurements of magnetic field are conducted in a truly unique fashion through the use of an Overhauser effect proton precession magnetometer, vector measurements are made indirectly with a high sensitivity, and at a rapid speed. The advanced Overhauser design employs continuous radio frequency polarization and special sensors to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio. Instrument sensitivity (0.02 nT), resolution (0.01 nT), absolute accuracy (0.2 nT), and speed of operation (0.2 sec for each measuring interval) set new performance standards.

Applications

Long term stability and high sensitivity make the dIdD ideal for a wide variety of applications, such as:

• calibration of precise magnetic compasses used to control well attitude during the drilling of the well

• monitoring and forecasting magnetic storm activity

• preparation of navigational charts by updating maps of magnetic declination (angle between magnetic north and the true north)

• base station magnetic monitoring - for observing diurnal magnetic activity and disturbances

dIdD Data Acquisition/Display software

The dIdD data acquisition / display software is a Windows 98/NT interactive interface supplied with the dIdD vector magnetometer system, that functions as the instrument's bi-directional RS-232 terminal. The dIdD software offers the user the option to save the instrument readings to a disk file, while displaying the incoming data in text and graph modes.

The dIdD analog display charts the incoming data versus time. The vertical and horizontal scales are automatically calculated so as to display the data within the window. The user can change both the vertical and horizontal increments. The displayed profile can be scrolled both horizontally and vertically. Changes to the display can be achieved by selecting the appropriate item from the simulated Chart Recorder Menu, or by using shortcut keys.

Specifications

• Range of measurement: -90° < I o < +90°; -180° < D o < +180°

• Sensor diameter: 30 cm

• Sensor weight: 10 kg

• Power Consumption: 1.5 Watts at 12 V

• At 2.5 sec cycle:

  • êI uncertainty < 2 sec rms

  • êD uncertainty < 2 sec rms for I o < 45° 

  • êD < 4 sec for I o < 70°

• Rate of reading:

  • 0.5 sec per interval,

  • 0.5 sec full cycle or 0.2 sec per interval, 

  •  2 1.0 sec full cycle

  • 1 minute values computed using uninterrupted measurement and a standard Intermagnet filter

Overhauser Magnetometer:

Ordering Information

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