The data entered into the computer from 
ADDReSOR consists of 10 binary bit words. This 
would imply an accuracy of 0.1% if taken at 
face value. However, FM subcarrier system 
accuracy is probably no better than + 1% so 
that some of the binary bits are extraneous and 
should be ignored in the computations. 
A few general purpose programs have been 
developed for use with the ADDReSOR. First, 
a control program is used to enter and evalu- 
ate the calibration signals and enter the data 
samples. This program reads into the computer 
100 samples of the field calibration signals, 
computes the mean and variance of these sig- 
nals and the calibration constants for each 
variable. The operator may inspect these 
results before proceeding with further compu- 
tations. Up to 12,000 data samples may then 
be entered and the means and variances of 
each variable may then be computed if desired. 
A second program consists of an unpack 
and punch routine which multiplies each 
variable by its appropriate calibration factor 
and punches the calibrated data in either 10 
bit binary format or in teletype format. The 
punched tape may be used for reentry into 
RECOMP II or for entry into other computers. 
Using a computer as a medium for tempo- 
rary storage of the digitized data has cer- 
tain advantages. First of all, it is not 
feasible to use either a tape punch or a 
magnetic tape transport directly on the out- 
put of ADDReSOR since the sampling rate may 
be too high for mechanical punches and too 
variable for magnetic tape transports without 
some means of temporary storage. Secondly, 
a small or medium size computer is probably 
the most economic means for temporary data 
storage, particularly since it may be used 
for a wide variety of other computing problems. 
Thirdly, elementary calculations such as means 
and variances, running means, calibration, 
etc. may be performed before punching the 
data onto tape. 
CONCLUS IONS 
We have described here a completely 
integrated data acquisition and reduction 
system which has the following general 
characteristics at the present time: 
1. 12 channels of continuous data 
storage 
2. Frequency response for 12 channels 
+ 5 eps 
6 channels or less ~ 10 cps 
3. Accuracy overall is presumed to be 
better than + 2% 
4. Total data samples 12,000 + 
Restrictions on the frequency response 
can be improved by using a faster computer 
and by replacing the output low pass filters 
on certain subcarrier discriminators. It is 
possible also that the total number of data 
samples may be increased by using a high speed 
computer. For the moment, however, there is 
a vast area of oceanographic research which 
can be accomplished within these restrictions. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 
The authors wish to acknowledge the 
invaluable assistance of Mr. Raymond A. Stahl 
of Tele-Dynamics Division of American Bosch 
Arma Corporation who designed and supervised 
construction of the ADDReSOR, the personnel 
of Geodyne Corporation who developed the 
special purpose amplifier, and Mr. Leonard 
Shodin of the WHOI staff who designed and 
constructed much of the data acquisition 
system. The developments reported in this 
paper were made possible by the Office of 
Naval Research Contracts Nonr 2196 (00) 
Nonr 3351 (00). 
REFERENCES 
1. Farmer, H. G. and Ketchum, D. D. (1960). 
An Instrumentation System for Wave 
Measurements, Recording and Analysis. 
Proc. 7th Conf. Coastal Eng. Council 
Wave Res., Univ. of Calif. Berkeley 
2. Proceedings of the Conference on Automatic 
Data Handling for Oceanographic Observa- 
tions (1959). Ref. No. 60-10. Woods Hole 
Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, 
Mass. (Unpublished manuscript). 
