Transducers

The National Data Buoy Center intends to negotiate only with Teledyne Benthos, Inc. of North Famouth, MA for 48 each Directional AM Transducers (8") with preamp electronics (P/N AT-421/9-14 KHz); 48 each ATM-88X 5410 DSP (P/N 008587); 48 each ATM-88X Bandpass PCB (P/N B-270-16) and 48 each Filters, low frequency, 9-14 KHz (P/N 009267). In order to meet stringent power requirements for long term deployments, the DART acoustic modem PCBs must be highly configurable and user modifiable. Benthos is the only known manufacturer of Acoustic Modem PCBs that allows NOAA the degree of control necessary to ensure that power use is minimized. Thus, the Benthos acoustic modem PCB are used in the current DART systems and are being procured to complete the remainder of the DART buoys, for future DART buoys, and for continuing DART support operations. The firmware and drivers that control these modem functions are deeply embedded in the DART system design. The requested Benthos transducers and modem PCBs currently used in the DART system are the only components that can work in the system and as replacements on the deployed buoys. Presently Benthos is the only known vendor that meets the requirements for the DART II program.