Author(s)

Jean-Luc Chatelain, Bertrand Guillier, Philippe Guéguen, Julien Fréchet, Jacques Sarrault

Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Grenoble, France.
Institut Fran?ais des Sciences et Technologies des Transports, de l’Aménagement et des Réseaux, Grenoble, France.
Laboratoire d’électronique Angelidis Sarrault, Saint Ismier, France.

This article describes an improved data acquisition system from a previous system dedicated to one-sensor site studies, aimed at recording ambient vibrations (microtremors). A multi-channel and/or remote triggering system is proposed. The system was conceived by IRD-Leas, France, and used at ISTerre, France, for research activities. The size, weight of this high quality system and its autonomy (no need to be connected to a laptop) make it a real portable device. The system acquires data with 24-bit delta-sigma ADCs in the 10 - 1000 sps range at 10 - 20 bit resolution on up to 18 channels in the multi-channel version. The input stage dynamics is available at ±2.5 V or ±5 V. The dynamic range varies, for example, from 108 dB at 100 sps to 90 dB at 250 sps. Gain is selectable from 1 (0 dB) to 8192 (78 dB) by powers of two (6 dB). Its very low level of internal noise allows recording of very low tension signals without missing code. Continuous recording and GPS may also be implemented in the system. While primarily dedicated to ambient vibration recordings, this system can be connected to any type of device delivering an output tension in the ±5 V range.

CityShark; Ambient Vibrations; H/V; Building; Array; Earthquakes; Portable Recorder; Earthquakes

J. Chatelain, B. Guillier, P. Guéguen, J. Fréchet and J. Sarrault, "Ambient Vibration Recording for Single-Station, Array and Building Studies Made Simple: CityShark II," International Journal of Geosciences, Vol. 3 No. 6A, 2012, pp. 1168-1175. doi: 10.4236/ijg.2012.326118.