SIMBA: Snow Ice Mass Balance Apparatus

An autonomous snow and ice monitoring device designed for extreme and inaccessible locations

SIMBA: Autonomous Snow and Ice Monitoring

SIMBA (Snow Ice Mass Balance Apparatus) is an autonomous snow and ice monitoring device designed for extreme and inaccessible locations.

 

It measures temperature and thermal properties through snow and ice, helping identify changing air, snow, ice, and water boundaries. The resulting data can support forecasting, risk management, infrastructure operations, and research. From the Arctic to the Antarctic and beyond, SIMBA has been deployed more than 500 times worldwide.

 

SIMBA Snow Monitoring
SIMBA Ice Monitoring
Technical Specifications
Case Studies
The History of SIMBA
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Key capabilities

Key capabilities

 

  • Continuous snow and ice profiles
  • High-resolution measurements
  • Data delivered remotely
  • Long-term autonomous operation
  • Built for demanding conditions
  • Proven across 12+ years of application
  • Developed through scientific research

 

Supporting professionals to:

  • Forecast changing conditions
  • Assess and manage risk
  • Monitor cold-region infrastructure
  • Conduct long-term cryosphere research

How SIMBA monitors snow and ice  

SIMBA uses a vertical series of temperature sensors to record temperature profiles and thermal properties through snow and ice. Measurements are stored onboard the instrument and transmitted remotely for access during deployment.

1. Deploy: Install SIMBA at the monitoring site and configure the required measurement schedule.
2. Measure: SIMBA records temperature profiles and uses active heating and cooling cycles to help distinguish between air, snow, ice, and water.
3. Access: Data is stored on SIMBA’s onboard SD card and transmitted remotely via Iridium or mobile networks for viewing through the optional web interface and downloading for further analysis.

 

Download product information and technical documents for SIMBA

SIMBA Technical Specifications (PDF)

SIMBA User Manual (PDF)