icListen AF Release 41.0 Release Notes

June 23, 2025

Introduction

These release notes describe the features present in this release, how to apply this update, what software is compatible with this update, and the changes that have been made since the previous icListen AF release.

Before applying this update, be sure to recover all necessary log files from the unit. Applying this update will erase all data currently logged in the instrument, but will not alter the device setup.

Applying This Update

Updates are applied using FTP, SFTP, or SCP. When using SFTP or SCP, connect to port 22, use "icListen" as the user name, and by default there is no password.

While applying this update, take care not to interrupt the power to the instrument. Ensure that all necessary log files are retrieved from the instrument before applying this update, as they will be erased during the update process. Files may be retrieved using a web browser, or an FTP, SFTP, or SCP client (such as FileZilla).

Perform the following steps to update your icListen:

1. Power the icListen using the power adapter (do not power from internal battery).
2. Connect to the icListen via FTP, SFTP or SCP.
3. Once connected, you should see a directory called "update". If this directory does not exist, create it. This directory name is case sensitive.
4. Upload the update ".icu" file into the "update" directory.
5. The instrument must now be reset in order for the update to take place. This can be done through the web interface, or using Ocean Sonics' Lucy.
   • Lucy: Use the "Reset" button on the "Link Setup" tab of the icListen setup panel to reset the instrument.
   • Web Interface: Type the IP address of your icListen into the address bar of your web browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc), and use the "Reset" button on the "Operations" page to reset the instrument.
6. Allow approximately 5 minutes for the update to complete.
7. The update should now be complete. You may connect using the web browser to ensure the update has successfully taken place. The "Firmware Release" number should be displayed on the "Home" page. If the release version is blank, or does not appear to be correct, press the "Refresh" button at the bottom of the page.

Features

• Waveform Data

  Live Data:

  - Sample rates from 1 kS/s to 32 kS/s.

  - Available as TCP or UDP stream, or by request through Command & Control channel.

  - Adjustable gain(for 16b it data) from 0-48dB.

  Logging:

  - Sample rates from 1 kS/s to 32 kS/s.

  - Files logged internally as uncompressed PCM WAV files

  - Configurable bit depth(16 or 24 bits per sample).

  - Adjustable gain(for 16 bit data) from 0-48dB.

  - Can be configured to log continuously, using a duty cycle, or based on epoch triggers.

  - Logging may be configured to start immediately, or at a specified date/time.

  - Accelerometer and magnetometer raw data is now being logged in the TXT file.



• Power Spectrum Data

  Processing:

  - Rate of returned data is configurable (up to 4 results per second).

  - 3 processing types: Mean Average, Peak Detect, IIR filter(Exponential Moving Average)

  - Reference level from -120 dBV to -180 dBV (with offset to dBuPa provided).

  Live Data:

  - Sample rates from 1 kS/s to 32 kS/s (acoustic bandwidth of 400 Hz to 12.8 kHz).

  - Available as TCP or UDP stream, or by request through Command & Control channel.

  Logging:

  - Sample rates from 1 kS/s to 32 kS/s (acoustic bandwidth of 400 Hz to 12.8 kHz).

  - Files logged internally as tab separated ASCII files

  - Can be configured to log continuously or based on epoch triggers.

  - Logging may be configured to start immediately, or at a specified date/time.



• Epoch Mode

  Available Triggers:

  - Can trigger based on power spectrum data at all available sample rates and processing modes.

  - Check for power above/below threshold value over specified frequency range.

  - Up to 5 configurable triggers.

  Trigger Effects:

  - Triggers can be configured to log power spectrum files(TXT), log waveform data(WAV files), and log & stream trigger detail messages.

  - Effects can be configured to remain active for up to 18 hours after trigger goes inactive.

  - Triggers can be configured to log pre-trigger data (maximum pre-trigger time varies based on data collection rate).

  - Messages transmitted from TCP port 51680 when triggers go active (if message effect is set).

  - Trigger messages logged internally to "/home/icListen/Data/EpochLog.txt" (if message effect is triggered)

  - Power spectrum logging can be performed for all available sample rates and processing modes.

  - WAV files can be logged at all available sample rates, and bit depths.



• Device Discovery

  Polo Software:

  - Responds to requests from Lucy or Marco PC side software.

  - Will respond with network configuration, even if unable to acquire IP address or on different subnet (not guaranteed past a router/firewall).

  - Allows reconfiguration of network settings



• Web Interface

  Device Information:

  - Displays instrument serial number and mac address.

  - Displays hardware and software version information.

  - Displays hydrophone sensitivity.

  - Displays battery charging status.

  - Displays time synchronization status.

  - Displays internal temperature and humidity.

  - Displays internal storage capacity and usage.

  - Displays tilt angle based on accelerometer data^[2].

  - Displays internal temperature and humidity.

  Device Configuration:

  - Displays current network settings.

  - Displays current data collection settings (waveform data and spectrum data).

  - Displays epoch trigger settings.

  - Allows reconfiguration of network settings.

  - Allows reconfiguration of data collection settings

  - Allows reconfiguration of epoch trigger settings

  Documentation:

  - icListen User Guide.

  - icListen Log File Formats document.

  Data Collection:

  - Live spectrum data charts.

  - Retrieval of logged data.

  Miscellaneous:

  - Allows power down/reset of instrument.

  - Allows cleanup of data logging folder.

  - Provides Ocean Sonics contact information.



• System Monitoring

  - Measures internal temperature and humidity.

  - Measures internal accelerometer/magnetometer.

  - Measures battery charge state.

  - Indicates startup/shutdown/failed startup/data collection start using a buzzer motor.



• Synchronization

  - Time of day settable through Command & Control Chanel or web interface.

  - Seconds can be aligned to falling or rising edge of PPS input, or device can produce falling edge PPS for synchronization.

  - Time of day can be precisely synchronized through messages encoded within a PPS signal.

Compatibility

This release of icListen is compatible with Lucy v4.2 and up, and Marco 2.0 and up. It is also compatible with most third party FTP/SFTP/SCP clients, SSH clients, and web browsers. The web interface requires javascript to be enabled in your browser for full functionality. Logged waveform (WAV) data can also be viewed/edited by audio editing software capable of dealing with uncompressed PCM WAV files.

Here are some free third party programs recommended by Ocean Sonics for use with icListen AF:

Audacity

Free open source audio recording and editing software.

FileZilla

Free open source FTP client.

PuTTY

Free SSH client.

Changes

Changes since previous major release:

• Enhancements
  • Important libraries have been updated to the latest version available to improve security and performance.
  • The Zero Memory hydrophone has now increased security, disabling the logging partition entirely.
• Bug Fixes
  • Minor bug fixes to improve stability and performance.

¹ - Hardware release 2 introduces buzzer functions, battery monitoring, and PPS synchronization. These features are not available in hardware release 1.

² - All hydrophones purchased in 2020 or later will support this feature. Many older units will also support it, but it is not guaranteed.