	HYDROPTIC, 8 avenue du Commandant Taillefer, 31230 L' Isle en Dodon, Haute Garonne, France
	Phone: 09 63 24 82 20 Fax: 05 61 89 37 88 EMAIL

NOTE: UVP is manufactured by HYDROPTIC
with the co-operation of CNRS and UPMC

UVP

Introduction:

The Underwater Vision Profiler or UVP (CNRS patent) is designed to study large (>100 µm) particles and zooplankton simultaneously and to quantify them in a known volume of water. The UVP system makes use of computerised optical technology with custom lighting to acquire digital images of zooplankton IN SITU down to depths of 6000m.

The UVP acquires only in-focus images in a volume of water delimited by a light beam issued from red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in 100µs flashes. The typical light beam illuminates an area of 4x20 centimetres which gives a sampling volume of 1 litre per image. When interfaced with conventional CTD measuring devices, the distribution of particles and fauna can be displayed in real time integrated with the CTD metadata. The high-resolution digital image can then be processed by the computer.

The UVP's software monitors the system status and handles communications with both user and camera. Acquisition and process sequences can be controlled by the ship-board observer or from a support vehicle such as an ROV or an AUV. Moored systems allow long deployments where thousands of time-programmed sequences of images to be acquired. The software also monitors data from up to 8 analogue sensors which are synchronized with images.

The image analysis software is implemented in the camera to acquire and process images in real time in a number of modes. These modes are: (1) Full process: all images are saved and processed in real time, (2) Image acquisition only: the images are recorded on the flash memory or the hard drive, (3) Mixed process: the images are acquired and processed to get size and gray level for each object. Vignette images or full images of objects above a preset pixel size limit are saved on the flash memory or the hard drive. This mode saves memory. (4) Process only: the images are processed and only the size and mean gray value of each of the detected object is saved in a text file. The pressure and environmental data are saved with the measurements from the objects and some summarized data are transmitted to the user in real time.

Why use the UVP image analysis system for zooplankton identification and enumeration?

Images are recovered in situ and incorporate extensive metadata.
Programmable to acquire multiple images at specific times and depths.
Can be deployed 'stand alone', inside a 'rosette' frame, connected to ROV or AUV or moored to a buoy.
Metadata: Sample number, Position, Depth, etc. automatically attached to each high resolution digital image.
Digital images are easy to manipulate, share and store permanently and securely.

In summary, the UVP system:

- is a particle counter specially designed for fragile aggregates above 100µm. In addition it records images which can be processed for zooplankton identification. - is specifically designed for the high-resolution/high-speed digitization of mesozooplankton and micronekton samples.
- is provided with software for real-time, in situ particle counting, sizing and zooplankton detection.
- acquires images and data compatible with ZooPROCESS and Plankton Identifier software.

UVP specifications:

Operational Depth: 0 to 6000 meters
UVP Dimension (H): 1100 cm
Weight in air: 30 Kg
Input voltage: 110 to 230 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz
Interface: RS232 or external switch
Lighting: Red LED of 625nm in two glass cylinders
Real time processing
Optional telemetry
Stand-alone, Rosette, ROV, AUV and mooring adaptable
Capable of acquiring and processing images from the surface even in strong sunlight.

Specifications: Images

Standard Image volume: 1.02 litres per frame (About 15cm x 20cm x 3.5 cm). Other volumes are available on request.
Image resolution: Acquires objects > 100µm