Wrangler
from Reftek Systems Inc

The Wrangler is the latest high dynamic range broadband seismograph for permanent or temporary strong as well as weak motion, low amplitude measurements. Consisting of the latest low noise A/D technology the Wrangler offers 32-bit performance and a dynamic range greater than 142dB. With a mobile friendly user interface, accessed through the inbuilt wireless modem, simply connect to the unit and view it’s configuration and status through any web browser. The internal 8GB circular memory data buffer is sufficient to store up to 8 months of data and securely saves measurements onto a interchangeable non-volatile USB flash drive (8,16 or 32GB). The removable USB device is easily accessible allowing an operator to recover data within 30 seconds. For longer period operations the Wrangler can be configured with Seedlink server transmitting data to cloud based storage for seamless analyses. Alternatively, when real-time information is key, data can be sent via RTPD offering low latency telemetry for earthquake early warning.

RefTek have included features within the Wrangler to optimise power consumption enabling the system to run for longer. It is common practise throughout geophysical instrumentation to exploit GNSS 1 PPS for accurate time synchronisation. In order to conserve power the Wrangler actively manages the GNSS receiver, cycling it every hour. Once phase lock as been achieved and a PPS has been received the Wrangler automatically shuts down the GNSS. In addition the LED status indicators and WiFi are turned off until the magnetic switch is activated, following which both remain on until thirty minutes of inactivity whereby they are automatically switch off. As a result of these measures a three channel Wrangle system, with Cult Seismometer and Cell Modem, requires 130W to operate all day and can be sustained by a single solar panel.

Seismic monitoring applications inherently lead to equipment remaining in situ for extended periods of time. The equipment is generally installed in remote locations which are challenging or time consuming to access. Being able to remotely interrogate the systems performance is key. To tackle this problem the Wrangler permits users to call upon a series pre-installed of calibration waveforms to test and verify system performance. Alternative the user can load their own bespoke waveform file. The calibration waveform can be used to confirm the correct installation of the equipment and can be scheduled to run periodically during the observation period. A dedicated 32 but A/D converter records the calibration signal to ensure the general system operation is not interrupted.

The Wrangler can be supplied as a 3 or 6 channel system. There are two connectors on the front panel, each comprising of three channels and six auxiliary channels. The auxiliary channels can be used to record a variety of metadata but the most common application is to re-centre and monitor the mass position. Each auxiliary channel can be configured to record either single ended or differential input with a +/- 10V full scale at 16bit resolution.