Hardware and Software Enhancements of a Digital CCD Camera System for Use with the ALVIN Submersible

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The PI requests funding to purchase instrumentation that will be operated as shared-use equipment for deep oceanographic research. The instruments requested, upgrades to a CCD camera, will be used aboard the submersible ALVIN and, potentially, aboard remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). The requested upgrades include a new CCD chip with greater sensitivity, increased light sources for ALVIN, a video lens with a greater field of view, and improved software that will increase the data acquisition rate. These upgrades will enhance the performance of the CCD camera to produce comprehensive, high-resolution digital photomosaics of the seafloor. Acquisition of a camera system with these capabilities was identified as a high priority for the Deep Submergence Science Committee (DESSC) which oversees the operation of ALVIN and other research ROVs. The instrumentation requested will enhance a wide variety of NSF-funded scientific research.