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Wildlife Acoustics SM4M User Manual

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Song Meter SM4M
B I O A C O U S T I C S R E C O R D E R
Last updated on September 7, 2017.

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Summary of Contents for Wildlife Acoustics SM4M

  • Page 1 Song Meter SM4M B I O A C O U S T I C S R E C O R D E R Last updated on September 7, 2017.

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Pressure Release Valve ................ 5 Setup Storage and Transport ................6 Installing Batteries ................7 Turning Power ON and OFF ..............8 Inserting and Removing SD Memory Cards ........... 8 Estimating Battery Life ................. 9 Estimating Memory Requirements ............9 Deploying the Recorder ..............11 Anchoring Solutions ................15 Retrieving and Servicing the Recorder ..........17 SM4M Specific User Guide Notes Setting Gain ..................19 Deactivating Scrubber on Ultrasonic Models ........19 Recording Behavior ................20 Measuring Hydrophone Sensitivity ............. 20 Specifications Physical Specifications ............... 21 Power Specifications ................21 Memory Card Specifications ............... 22 Audio Specifications ................22 Hydrophone Response and Noise Charts ..........23...

  • Page 3: Overview

    1 Overview Overview Use of this Guide The SM4M is built upon the Song Meter SM4/SM4BAT platform. The Acoustic Model features the SM4 recorder and the Ultrasonic Model features the SM4BAT recorder. This document is a supplement to the SM4/SM4BAT User Guides. It is not intended as a stand-alone document and describes only information specifically related to the SM4M Marine Recorders.

  • Page 4: Submersible And Deep Water Models

    Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 1 Overview Like the SM4 and SM4BAT recorders, the SM4M features flexible scheduling, low power consumption and 16-bit digital recording. The SM4M can be deployed for days, week or months in any marine environment.

  • Page 5: Hydrophone Options

    Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 1 Overview Hydrophone Options Three hydrophone options are available for the SM4M: Acoustic, Ultrasonic, and High-SPL. The Acoustic Hydrophone is used to record whale songs, dolphin whistles, and/or ambient noise levels, from infrasonic into ultrasonic frequencies.
  • Page 6 Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 1 Overview At the top of the board are the SM4 or SM4BAT module which contains the LCD display, user interface buttons, SD card slots, power switch and GPS accessory port. Storage Case: Rugged storage case protects the equipment and offers convenient handles and wheels for reliable transport.

  • Page 7: Pressure Release Valve

    Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 1 Overview Desiccant: Your unit ships with 5 packs of desiccant. Apply a desiccant pack inside the unit before each deployment. Silicon Lubricant: Apply to the O-Rings and flat surface points inside the top cap.

  • Page 8: Setup

    Setup Storage and Transport The SM4M ships in a rugged case suitable for storage and shipment. The case has wheels on one end for ease of travel and two latches which can accept locks for security. The spanner wrenches, O-rings, lubricant, desiccant, and other needed supplies can also be stored inside.

  • Page 9: Installing Batteries

    Remove the old batteries. For SM4M Submersible models, insert at least 8 and at most 32 new size D batteries of the same type. For SM4M Deep Water models, insert at least 8 and at most 64 new size D batteries of the same type.

  • Page 10: Turning Power On And Off

    TIP: Insert multiple SD memory cards to take advantage of failover capabilities. If an error occurs on one card, the SM4M can continue writing data on the other card. To remove a card, press STOP to stop the current schedule. Lightly push it in and then feel it release from the slot and pull it out.

  • Page 11: Estimating Battery Life

    Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 2 Setup Estimating Battery Life The following table shows approximate recording longevity in days recording continuously 24 hours a day. Since the recorder uses very little power while sleeping, longevity for lower duty cycles can be estimated by multiplying the shown values (50% duty cycle would double the shown values for example).
  • Page 12 Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 2 Setup experimentation will be required. A good starting point is to assume 1GB of memory per 24 hours of recording. Acoustic Recording In most applications, there is no reason to use sampling rates faster (greater) than twice the frequencies of interest.

  • Page 13: Deploying The Recorder

    Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 2 Setup Deploying the Recorder Install the Battery Board Before installing the top cap and sealing the unit, perform these steps to secure the battery board. Verify that the neoprene edging is in place on the top and bottom of the board to provide a small layer of insulation and cushioning.
  • Page 14 Only one O-ring is necessary to seal, but two are used to ensure a seal if one should become compromised. Note: The SM4M ships with no O-rings installed. Follow the steps in this guide to install the O-rings. Without O-rings, the unit will not seal and is unsuitable for deployment at any depth.
  • Page 15 This area and the O-rings should be free of dust, hair, and other debris. NOTE: The SM4M package includes 4 O-rings, 5 packs of desiccant, and a tube of O- ring lubricant. Additional deployment supplies can be purchased from McMaster Carr (www.mcmaster.com).
  • Page 16 Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 2 Setup Insert the included spanner wrenches into the interfacing holes. One wrench interfaces with the two holes in the housing and the other interfaces with the 4 holes in the top cap. It is easiest to do the procedure while sitting atop the pipe (as though riding it).

  • Page 17: Anchoring Solutions

    Make sure the Pressure release valve is hand tight. Anchoring Solutions The SM4M Submersible model (shown at left below) can be anchored from the stainless-steel eyebolt on the bottom of the housing. For the Deep Water Model (shown at right below) there is a mounting bracket welded on the bottom.
  • Page 18 NOTE: All metal hardware used on the SM4M is 316 stainless steel. If dissimilar metal is used for deployment that is near or contacting any of the hardware, a zinc or aluminum sacrificial anode should be used to prevent galvanic corrosion.

  • Page 19: Retrieving And Servicing The Recorder

    Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 2 Setup Retrieving and Servicing the Recorder Retrieving the Recorder Regardless of method of retrieval, take care in getting the unit shipside so as not to damage the hydrophone. If planning on using hooks to snare the housing, it might be best to deploy with a ring of floating nylon line attached to the bottom eyebolt to give a hooking point.
  • Page 20 Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 2 Setup Maintaining the Recorder Whether you decide to redeploy the recorder or place it in dry storage, follow these maintenance steps. Remove and clean the O-rings. If a tool is required, use only plastic tools to avoid damaging the smooth surface of the top cap where the O-ring sits.

  • Page 21: Sm4M Specific User Guide Notes

    Deactivating Scrubber on Ultrasonic Models The SM4M includes a file scrubber, carried over from the SM4BAT terrestrial bat recorder, which tries to determine if a triggered recording contains bat echolocations and deletes the file automatically if it does not. Since this is not well tested on dolphin echolocations, you should turn the scrubber off if you are Wildlife Acoustics, Inc.

  • Page 22: Recording Behavior

    Audio Settings. to none. Recording Behavior Three and a half minutes before the device starts a recording, the SM4M wakes up from sleep mode to allow the hydrophone noise to settle before recording. When processing consecutive recordings in a series, the first recording finishes on time;...

  • Page 23: Specifications

    Power Specifications Main Batteries: Stanard D size disposable alkaline batteries (1.5V) or rechargeable NiMH batteries (1.2V). The SM4M Submersible accepts up to 32 D- size batteries and the Deep Water accepts up to 64 batteries. A minimum of 4 batteries is necessary for the recorders to function.

  • Page 24: Memory Card Specifications

    Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 4 Specifications Acoustic Power Consumption: Recording: 135 – 185 mW Sleeping: 1.8 mW Ultrasonic Power Consumption: Recording: 230 – 270 mW Sleeping: 1.8 mW Memory Card Specifications Type: Class 4 or faster SDHC and all SDXC (reformatting not required)

  • Page 25: Hydrophone Response And Noise Charts

    Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 4 Specifications Hydrophone Response and Noise Charts Testing was completed and certified by the National Physical Laboratory in the UK. System Frequency Response of Hydrophone Options -160 -162 -164 -166 -168 -170 Ultrasonic -172 Standard -174 -176 -178 Frequency (Hz) NOTE: The dip in response at 2 kHz is caused by resonance in the housing and can be avoided with a cabled hydrophone available for special order.

  • Page 26: Warranty And Disclosures

    Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 5 Warranty and Disclosures Warranty and Disclosures Except as specifically provided herein, Wildlife Acoustics makes no warranty of any kind, express or implied, with respect to this product. Hardware Limited Warranty Product Components Hardware Warranty Period Song Meter all components (excluding hydrophones, 1 Year SM4M batteries and accessories) hydrophones, batteries, and accessories 1 Year Accessories 1 Year provider of WAI products or from WAI directly. All requests for...
  • Page 27 This product was tested in a typical configuration. products, services, or programs that may accompany it. In no event shall Wildlife Acoustics, publishers, authors, or editors of this guide be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage caused or alleged to have been caused directly or indirectly by this document. Ian Agranat, President Wildlife Acoustics, Inc. May 10, 2017 Wildlife Acoustics, Inc. page 25...
  • Page 28 Song Meter SM4M B I O A C O U S T I C S R E C O R D E R User Guide ©2017 Wildlife Acoustics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Wildlife Acoustics and Song Meter are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. SM4, SM4BAT and SM4M are trademarks of Wildlife Acoustics, Inc. SDHC and SDXC Logos are trademarks of SD-3C,LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. The Song Meter is patented (U.S. Pat. No. 7,782,195). Additional U.S. and international patents and trademarks are pending. Wildlife Acoustics, Inc. 3 Mill and Main Place, Suite 210 Maynard, MA 01754 (978) 369-5225 or toll-free in the U.S. (888) 733-0200 www.wildlifeacoustics.com page BIOACOUSTIC MONITORING SYSTEMS...

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