An instrument has been developed for oceanographic sampling of particle density and size versus depth and temperature in a 100 meter water column. The sensor probe, although attached to a lightweight cable, is allowed to free fall, which effectively detaches it from the motion of the sampling platform and enhances the resolution of thin particle layers. Sensor information is transmitted up the cable to a small, dedicated, microcomputer module where it is digitized and stored on cassette tape with read after write verification. The microcomputer also keeps the operator informed of the status of the drop and displays the recorded data on a video monitor.
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