What affects Geode trigger cycle times?

What Affects Geode Trigger Cycle Times?

If you're trying to optimize your Geode system for faster trigger cycles—especially in high-repeat environments—there are a few key factors to consider. The goal is to ensure that the system completes its entire cycle (trigger → recording → data transfer → re-arming) before the next expected trigger. Here’s what influences that cycle:

🧠 Core Factors That Affect Cycle Times

1. File Size (Sampling Parameters)

Your sample interval and record length directly affect the size of each data file.
You can view the resulting file size in the Acquisition Parameters menu.
Larger files take longer to transfer, which delays the re-arm process.

2. Data Transfer Rate

The Geode typically transfers data at around 450–465 kb/sec.
Reducing file size is the best way to reduce transfer time and speed up the cycle.

3. Calibration Frequency

By default, the system may attempt to calibrate every N shots, which takes additional time.
Go to Options > Calibration and set "calibrate every N shots" to a large number (e.g., 100000) to prevent unnecessary delays.

4. Recording Delay and Record Length

If you're operating in a region with a consistently deep seafloor, you can add a recording delay and reduce record length accordingly.
Example: If the water column is always >0.3s, you can apply a delay of 0.2s and reduce record length by the same amount.
This trims your file size and speeds up the transfer/re-arm process.

⚙️ Best Practices

Use the Auto-Trigger function or set trigger sensitivity to the maximum value for testing.
Monitor the cycle timing and adjust acquisition parameters to stay within your trigger window.
It's often an iterative process to find the ideal configuration for your environment.