Sigma 4+ is a miniature 4-channel version of the DAQlink4 seismic station. Excellent metrological characteristics, continuous recording capability, high-frequency ADC, built-in or external GNSS receiver, remote access, optional built-in battery and 3C geophone, work with external low-frequency receivers, plug-in anemometer and much, much more, make this station the best choice for the widest range of tasks.
The VSP with the GStreamer-E 3C probe or the WellStreamer hydrophone streamer
The Sigma 4+ is the optimal seismic station for different methods of VSP, both for seismic waves velocity estimation along the borehole and for dynamic section plotting. Four recording channels allow performing observations with a 3C probe or a 3-channel hydrophone streamer and a reference geophone receiver, which provides the possibility of accuracy evaluation and correction of source-seismic station synchronization error.
Parallel CST according to ASTM D4428 / D4428M
The method allows to reconstruct the velocity profile of P-waves and S-waves of rocks in situ with horizontal direction of waves propagation along the layer, i.e. without taking into account the velocity anisotropy related to thin layering (macroanisotropy) or geological formations consisting of small elements of two different substances (microanisotropy). Observations are performed in two parallel boreholes with a distance of 3 to 6 m between them. Generation of pressure (P) and shear (S) waves is executed using a borehole sparker Pulse and electrodynamic sources SHock and GeoSV. Signal receiving is provided by the GStreamer-E 3C probe and the WellStreamer hydrophone array. A description of CST technology can be found in ASTM D4428 / D4428M or in our publications.
Pile Length Testing, Base plate and Tunnel lining quality inspection
With its high-frequency ADC, the Sigma 4+ is perfect for almost any geotechnical task. For pile length testing (Pile Integrity Testing) and inspection of the footings (impact method), special high-frequency sensors GTSensor are connected to the station. On foundation slabs, it is more convenient to use 4-channel LandStreamer towed seismic sensors as a receiver. The data can be processed in the GeoTechControl software.
Monitoring of microseisms, earthquakes, explosions, hydraulic fracturing and any other events
The station allows continuous long-term data recording to built-in and external data storage devices with hot swapping capability without data loss. Timing is provided by a built-in or external GNSS receiver, a wired or wireless synchronization link between stations or by the station's internal high-stability clock. The Sigma 4+ can be optionally equipped with a built-in or external 2 Hz 3C seismic receiver, an internal battery and a detachable external low-frequency geophone. The station case is equipped with a bubble level and has the possibility of screwing pins directly into its base. The Sigma 4+ is a perfect solution to perform any type of seismic monitoring, thanks to its dedicated software, multiple networking options, remote configuration and data download, continuous or auto-start recording based on a trigger signal or LTA (Long Term Average)/STA (Short Term Average) events with email notification capability.
Passive MASW and the Nakamura method
The task of recording surface waves from stochastic or industrial sources as well as recording microseisms for subsequent calculation of H/V spectral ratios is successfully performed by the Sigma 4+ seismic station with an integrated or external mid-frequency (2 Hz) 3C sensor, connected external geophones (from 4.5 Hz) and low-frequency seismometers, accelerometers or torsional transducers.
Seismic survey in mines or dense urban building
It is not always possible to realize synchronization between the source and the seismic station. It can be extremely problematic or impossible to deploy a wired synchronization line between the mines or from the tunnel to the surface while testing, and using a radio channel in these cases is simply not feasible. Seismic surveys in the city often impose similar restrictions. DAQlink4 and Sigma 4+ seismic stations can keep long-term records on the built-in and external storage with time reference from the GNSS signal and an autonomous high-stability clock. One seismic station can be connected to the receiving array and the other to the source for shooting log formation - this allows performing synchronization in post-processing, i.e. to slice standard seismograms from the data array.
High Resolution Marine Seismic
The fast and reliable Sigma 4+ and DAQlink4 high-frequency seismic stations are excellent for 2D or 3D high-resolution marine seismic acquisition with the HRStreamer-1 towed streamer with a unique adjustable hydrophone array or the advanced 48-channel HRStreamer-48. A more complete description of the capabilities of the stations, towed water sources, and other necessary equipment can be found in a dedicated section. We also provide high-resolution marine data processing services.
Number of channels in one station |
4 ch. |
ADC capacity |
24, Σ-Δ bits |
Dynamic range |
127 dB (@ 500 Hz) |
Preamplifier gain |
×1 (0 dB), ×4 (12 dB), ×16 (24 dB) |
Sample rate |
125; 250; 500; 1000; 2000; 4000; 8000; 16000; 32000; 64000 Hz |
Maximum record length |
unlimited |
Frequency range |
0 ÷ 20 000 Hz |
Anti-aliasing filter |
80% of Nyquist frequency |
High Pass Filter |
0.001 ÷ 120 Hz, digital |
Filter type |
linear-phase |
Trigger accuracy |
±1 (@ 500 Hz) μs |
Maximum input signal with minimum gain |
±3 V |
The level of inherent noise of the registering channel |
< 0.15 µV (@ 500 Hz) |
Non-linear distortion coefficient |
0.0001 % (@ 500 Hz) |
Mutual interference between channels |
125 dB |
Common mode suppression factor |
100 dB (@ 500 Hz) |
Power consumption |
0.4 W/channel |
Input impedance |
100 kOhm |
Time synchronization |
GNSS receiver or VHF |
Data storage capacity (16 Gb CF internal memory) |
720 hours (4 channels @ 500 Hz, 16 Gb) |
Maximum capacity of external USB flash drive | up to 2TB |
Hot swap external USB drive without data loss |
yes |
Data format |
SEG-2, SEG-D, SEG-Y, ASCII, MiniSEED, SEEDlink |
LEDs |
2 LEDs for displaying battery status and operating mode |
Power |
10 – 28 V DC |
Temperature range |
-40 ÷ +80 °C |
Operating humidity |
0 ÷ 100 % |
Dimensions |
360×150×75 mm |
Weight without additional extensions |
1.5 kg |
Possibility of optional installation of devices and sensors |
- GNSS receiver - 2 Hz 3C geophone - rechargeable battery 99.9Wh - single-board computer with Linux for real-time data processing, acquisition or transmission via radio channel (Linux option)
- solar panel |
External devices connectivity |
external USB storage device, radio access point, Wi-Fi module, GSM modem, GNSS receiver, anemometer |
Connectors |
- 26 pins for geophones, ADC calibration and built-in sensors - 4 pins for external GNSS receiver - 10 pins for Ethernet connection - 3 pins external power supply - 19 pins for external USB drive or trigger line Optional: - USB for cloud storage connection (Linux option) |