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There are eight primary science ports on the MARS node. In general, a Principal Investigator (PI) will be assigned one science port. Each port provides 48 VDC, 375 VDC, a 10/100Base-T TCP/IP Ethernet connection, and a pulse per second (PPS) precision timing signal. The port interface is detailed below.
The science port connector is a 12-pin, wet mateable, 45 degree, flying ROV style connector from Ocean Design, Inc. (ODI). ODI does not provide a part number for the connector. ODI will work with MARS PIs to develop a complete cable assembly.
Longer lengths will require smaller, more flexible cable types. The choice of cables and connectors that the ROV must handle are critical to the success of your deployment. We will be happy to work with you to properly specify these elements.
Important: It is critical for PIs to work with MARS Operations and Maintenance staff to ensure that their cable assemblies are suitable for successful deployments.
Cable assembly must use the pinout described on this page.
The pin assignments for the science port:
Note: Please monitor your equipment’s inrush current. We have observed many commercial power supplies that draw as much as 50A on power up, regardless of steady state current requirements.
Specification for 4N37 optocoupler.
A typical receive circuit is shown below:
Suggested user interface circuit
The communication channel for all MARS science ports is a standard 10/100Base-T Ethernet port using TCP/IP protocol. Each MARS science port is assigned a Class C subnet which can provide up to 245 individual IP addresses to a single science port (11 are reserved for internal MARS functions). MARS O&M staff will work with PIs to assign appropriate IP addresses.