Specifications — SAMS Enterprise

How SIMBA works

SIMBA uses one or two sensor chains, installed vertically through snow or ice. Thermistors positioned along each chain record temperature variations through the surrounding air, snow, ice and water, creating a vertical temperature profile at the deployment site. Thermistors are spaced at 2cm intervals as standard, although a range of spacing configurations are available. A separate ambient-air temperature sensor is also supplied with each chain.

Thermistor positions along the chain are paired with heating elements. During an active measurement cycle, the sensors are gently heated, and SIMBA records their temperature response. Additional measurements can be configured during heating and subsequent cooling. Because air, snow, ice, and water respond differently to heating, these measurements can help distinguish between materials and identify changes in their interface positions.

SIMBA operates autonomously according to a configurable sampling schedule. Measurements, operational logs and error records are stored on the onboard SD card, while measurement data and unit-status information are transmitted through the Iridium satellite network or mobile networks. Selected configuration settings, including sampling schedules, can also be updated remotely during deployment.

The optional SIMBA web interface receives, decodes and archives transmitted data. Users can view temperature plots, heat maps, position data, message logs and unit-status information, and download decoded data in CSV format for independent analysis.

^{Download product information and technical documents for SIMBA}

SIMBA Technical Specifications (PDF)

SIMBA User Manual (PDF)

Technical specifications

SIMBA can be configured for different monitoring environments, measurement depths and deployment requirements. Our technical team supports customers from initial system configuration through to deployment, operation and maintenance. The specifications below describe the standard system and available configuration options.

System specifications

Specification	Details
Environmental protection	Peli case rated to IP67; system housings rated to IP66
Component temperature rating	Rated to −40°C / −40°F. SIMBA has operated below this temperature (−65°C / −85°F)
Data storage	Onboard SD-card storage at the deployment site, with remote access and secure data archiving through the web interface
Remote communications	Iridium satellite or mobile network (LTE-M)
Battery life	More than one year, depending on configuration and sampling schedule External power options available upon request
Longest recorded deployment	23 months
Positioning	GPS for location and sea-ice drift monitoring
Stated GPS accuracy	2 m / 6.6 ft
Additional measurements	Case temperature, barometric pressure, acceleration, tilt and magnetic heading Selected SDI-12 sensors, including weather stations, pyranometers, snow-depth sensors and anemometers Other sensor options available upon request
Sampling	User-configurable sampling rates
Remote configuration	Selected settings can be changed remotely after deployment

Sensor-chain specifications

Specification	Details
Standard chain (12 mm / 0.47 in width)	4.8 m / 15 ft 9 in with 240 sensors at 2 cm / 0.8 in spacing
Number of chains	Up to 2 thermistor chains per unit
Alternative spacing	5 cm / 2.0 in spacing 10 cm / 3.9 in spacing 25 cm / 9.8 in spacing 50 cm / 19.7 in spacing
Other configurations	Alternative sensor spacing available as a tailored option
Wide chain (40mm / 1.57 in width)	2 cm / 0.8 in sensor spacing; maximum length 5.5 m / 18 ft Wide chains have a wide blank section, designed to be clamped to a supporting structure
Maximum number of sensors	300, depending on chain length and sensor spacing
Hybrid configuration	Available for specialist applications
Included with each chain	Chain weight and separate ambient-air temperature sensor
Sensor accuracy	±0.0625°C / ±0.1125°F
Active sensing	Heating and cooling cycles support profiling of the thermal properties of snow and ice
Sampling configuration	User configurable

Data and web interface

Feature	Details
Data visualisation	GPS data, chain temperatures, heat maps, environmental sensor, and unit-status information
Data download	Decoded raw data available in CSV format
Data archive	Data archived through the SIMBA web interface service
Customer support	Access to system information supports remote technical assistance

SIMBA snow- and ice monitoring device covered with snow standing on a frozen landscape, with four vertical poles, a small red flag and a separate marker pole to the right.

^{Photo credit: FMI}

SIMBA snow-and ice monitoring device and a snowmobile on a frozen lake at sunset with a snow-covered forest in the background.

^{Photo credit: Uniper}

Research icebreaker ship anchored on a frozen sea with a yellow SIMBA snow-and ice monitoring device and a red-and-white measurement pole in the snow.

^{Photo credit: MOSAiC Expedition}

Yellow SIMBA snow-and ice monitoring device on icy ground in a vast, snowy landscape with a tripod structure in the background under clear sky.

^{Photo credit: AWI-Meereisportal}

Helicopter landed on snowy ice with two people in orange suits nearby and a yellow SIMBA snow- and ice monitoring device on the ground under a clear sky.

^{Photo credit: AWI-Meereisportal}

Snow-covered mountain under a partly cloudy blue sky with sparse vegetation and a yellow SIMBA snow- and ice monitoring device with measuring poles in the foreground.

^{Photo credit: Yukon University}

Yellow SIMBA snow- and ice monitoring device on a metal frame set on snowy ice near a wooden post and an orange flag on a frozen lake.

^{Photo credit: FMI}

Case Studies

High-Resolution Snow-Air Temperature Monitoring with SIMBA, Greenland

The ICECAPS-ACE project is an international scientific research programme based at Summit Station, Greenland. As part of this work, two Snow Ice Mass Balance Apparatus (SIMBA) units were deployed to provide high-resolution temperature measurements across the snow-air transition zone. The measurements collected by the SIMBA units form part of the wider observational programme and are published by the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA).

Read the ICECAPS-ACE case study

Leveraging the data in storm-force winds…, Scotland

When storm-force winds prevented observations at higher elevations in the Northern Cairngorms, forecasters used remotely transmitted SIMBA data to examine changes in snow temperature, depth and structure. The data provided additional evidence until conditions allowed field observations to resume.

Read the Northern Cairngorms case study on the SAIS website ↗

SIMBA: Snow Ice Mass Balance Apparatus

SIMBA Technical Specifications

^{SIMBA is a configurable, autonomous system for monitoring temperature through snow and ice.}