CTD Measurement Technologies for UUVs & USVs

D-2 Incorporated is a world-leading developer of conductivity, temperature and depth (CTD) measurement technologies for AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles), ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) and other unmanned oceanographic and marine survey platforms such as gliders and USV-towed sensor arrays.

As a supplier partner, we will be highlighting their unique solutions and capabilities across our channels via the D-2 Incorporated UST supplier profile, which has been written and built by our team in collaboration with the company. The Silver profile showcases their CTD and CT sensor portfolio, which offers a range of solutions for both shallow-water and deep ocean deployments, and can be customized to suit unique requirements.

Read on to find out more:

The Hybrid CTD utilizes a novel conductivity measurement approach that combines the advantages of electrode and inductive sensing techniques, offering excellent accuracy and precision at depths of down to 11,000 meters. In addition, it incorporates a high-resolution strain-gauge pressure sensor, cutting-edge solid state electronics and signal processing, and a choice of industry-standard or best-in-class temperature sensors.

The sensor’s proprietary technology enables a more compact and lightweight design that makes it ideal for AUVs and underwater robotic vehicles, and also allows the sensor to be free-flushed with no pump required for the majority of applications.

The Hybrid CTD offers a rich suite of features that is unmatched by any other deepwater CTD sensing solution on the market. High-speed sampling capabilities enable the user to select rates of up to 25 Hz, and additional third-party sensors can be connected via A/D and serial interfaces. Data can be output via USB, RS-232 or RS-485, and can also be transmitted via a wire line using commercially available telemetry systems.

The UL-CTD provides the same market-leading precision and depth performance as the Hybrid CTD but with a power draw of just 50 mW, making it one of the lowest-power closed-field CTDs available. It features user-selectable sample rates of either 1 or 2 Hz.

Available with aluminum, stainless steel or titanium housings, the sensor’s compact size and low power consumption make it ideal for SWaP-limited systems such as small UUVs, ocean gliders and USV-towed arrays.

D-2’s low-cost Ocean CT sensor provides a highly accessible solution for reliable conductivity and temperature measurement at depths of down to 500 meters. Combining an inductive conductivity cell with high-stability glass tube housing and an industry-standard temperature thermistor, it offers high sensitivity and allows for free-flushing.

The sensor provides continuous sampling at 2 Hz, and outputs conductivity, temperature and salinity data in ASCII strings via CMOS, RS-485, or RS-232 interfaces. All units are fully calibrated in D-2’s ISO-17025-certified laboratory, and can be provided with anti-biological fouling coatings for enhanced resilience during long deployments.

D-2’s state-of-the-art full ocean depth CTD sensor calibration facility, located on the East Coast of the US, allows the company to offer calibration for both proprietary and third-party sensors with optimum accuracy and fast turnaround times of as little as 5 business days.

The company also offers custom and OEM services, and can provide you with bespoke CTD solutions for integration into any unmanned vehicle platform or existing sensor suite. To find out more about these services, please get in touch.

To find out more about D-2 Incorporated and their CTD and CT sensors for unmanned oceanographic and marine survey, please visit their profile page:
https://www.unmannedsystemstechnology.com/company/d-2-inc/