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A quick glance to

General Description
SURICAT is a compact device designed to record acceleration along 3 orthogonal axes. The sensitivity of 0.2
10-3 g is achieved through the use of several sensors per axis and of averaging techniques.

Acceleration time-series can be acquired continuously on 3 channels (x, y, z), while a fourth auxiliary analog
channel allows the simultaneous recording of external events. SURICAT is endowed with a GPS module (with
internal or external antenna) that allows the synchronization of different units.

SURICAT is powered and sends data through the Ethernet connection (POE, Power Over Ethernet). When this
is not present, SURICAT still records the data and stores them in the internal memory, waiting to be
transmitted as soon as the network is operative again.

SURICAT has an internal lithium ion battery, with an autonomy of a few hours, and can store data in the
internal microSD card for several days.

SURICAT can also transmit data through wireless systems. In this case it should be powered from external
sources in order to prevent data loss in case of long energy shut downs.

Purpose
The main application of SURICAT is structural monitoring (e.g., measuring the response of structures to strong
motions like earthquakes and compare the pre-syn-post event response). SURICAT is designed to be used by
qualified personnel only, like geologists, geophysicists, civil engineers, specifically prepared to understand
the meaning of the input and output data.

Use
Setup
When employed for structural monitoring, it is recommended to level and screw the SURICAT case to the floor
(or wall) at the desired location in order to have a stable recording position and coherent results over time.
Four holes are present at the corners of the case to allow this operation.

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Switch-on
To turn SURICAT on, click the ON/RESET button on the side panel. SURICAT can also be turned on by plugging-
the Ethernet cable. If the Ethernet switch does not support the POE system, provide a 5V DC, 1A power
supply.

The meaning of the LED present on the main side of SURICAT is (Figure 1):

Figure 1. Main panel of SURICAT.

- POWER SURICAT is powered (through POE or DC)

- RECHARGE the internal lithium ion battery is charging
- ON SURICAT has been turned on
- EVENT [future applications]
- ERROR error message

The boot phase of the internal microprocessor takes approximately 1 minute: wait until the first BEEP. During
the boot phase, the ERROR and EVENT LEDS are red.

After a few more seconds (required to get the time stamp from the GPS or NTP), a double BEEP indicates that
SURICAT has started acquiring the data from the sensors.
The ERROR and EVENT led turn off.

If the Server Network is enabled, SURICAT periodically sends a message of its presence to a server. This option
is disabled by default and can be modified.

Error management
If the ERROR LED does not turn off, reboot the system by keeping the ON/RESET button pressed for 8-10
seconds (forced shutdown). The RESET is located on the SURICAT side panel opposite to the Ethernet
connector.

Switch-off
Click the ON/RESET button for 2 seconds during the acquisition. This starts the shutdown, which takes about
10 seconds and is marked by a beep when completed.

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Querying S URICAT
During the acquisition SURICAT can be queried through the network. Type the SURICAT IP address in the usual
internet browser: the live-recordings will be displayed and a number of configurations (data download,
visualization etc.) can be set (Figure 2).

Figure 2. The SURICAT web-interface.

Refer to the software manual for detailed information about configuration and data management. A
summary of the main functions is reported in the following section.

Main software functions

To identify the IP address of SURICAT, run suricatbroadcast.exe (Windows OS) or suricatbroadcast (Debian
Linux OS). A list of the SURICAT devices present in the examined local network appears, with the corresponding
IP address (localhost label) to be annotated.

Type the desired IP address in the web browser address bar. A page displaying the real-time recordings and
a main menu will appear (Figure 2), with the following functions:

- Home returns to the main page (real-time traces)

- Info device information and Ring Server status
- Trace list of the acquired traces and data download (TRC file format compatible with Grilla)
- System configuration window
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To explore the Trace and System menus, enter the username (suricat) and password (suricat), which can be
modified from the System >> Account menu.

❖ From the Trace menu:

Download to download the last 100 hour recordings (1 record per hour)

Logout to close the session

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❖ From the System menu:

Server to display the server status

Label to edit the device labels

Host to switch the IP address between dynamic (DHCP) and static

GPS to activate and view the GPS status

Time to display the SURICAT time and the synchronization source (GPS or NTP)

Account to change the password

Upload to upload new versions of the software and to change the logo displayed on the top-right corner of
the web page (only .png file format is acceptable)

Logout to close the session

Example of standard setting for long-term monitoring

1. Set the static IP address from the System >> Host menu. Select “Static” and fill the form, then press
“Save” and confirm the change,
2. Verify that the Ring Server is running (default setting). Go to System >> Server and check that the
corresponding LED is green. Note that the available ports are 16000 and 18000,
3. Verify that the GPS is working (default setting). Go to System >> GPS and check that the
corresponding LED is green. If the GPS antenna is connected and receives the GPS signal, the panel
displays the GPS data (coordinates, date…),
4. Check the time synchronization. Go to System >> Time, check the GMT time and that the time LED is
green (or yellow). All the possible synchronization sources are displayed here. If the GPS antenna is
connected, this will be used by default. If the GPS signal is not available, the NTP (or the OS time if
the NTP server is not available) will be used by default.

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via delle Industrie 17/A - 30175 Marghera – Venice (Italy)
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Technical specifications

4 channel acquisition system:

3 accelerometric channels (x,y,z)

1 analog channel

Sensitivity:

accelerometric channels: 0.25 mg (scale ±2 g) or 0.5 mg (scale ±6 g)

auxiliary channel: ±1 V (20 kΩ impedance)

Sampling frequency:

16 kHz original on all channels

256 Hz, 512 Hz or 1024 Hz output

Synchronization error between different SURICAT devices:

less than 1 sample when using the internal GPS module

less than the fraction of a second displayed on the internal clock (when using NTP)

Data access:

Ethernet (CAT 5)

wireless (Bluetooth® or WiFi)

Power supply:

Ethernet (POE system)

DC plug-in (5V)

internal battery (limited to few hours)

Visual and acoustic warning:

Data transmission/reception via network (LED)

Power supply (LED)

Correct functioning (LED)

Fault sound alarm

c/o VEGA – building Lybra

via delle Industrie 17/A - 30175 Marghera – Venice (Italy)
Tel. +39 041 509 4004 | www.moho.world