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The problem of reference measurements 
In the past, the missing reference temperature turned out to be a serious problem 
concerning the quality control of single XBT profiles, in particular in the Western North 
Atlantic where eddies and meanders are frequent. To distinguish between data errors 
and thermal fronts CMS "Köln Atlantic", in June 1989, was equipped with an automatic 
sea surface temperature (SST) thermometer which has proved to be very helpful. 
This SST thermometer was developped at DHI and is manufactured as "Mini-Medes" 
by Dittberner GmbH, F.R.Germany. The specification given by the manufacturer is as 
follows: 
The unit consists of two parts (Fig. 1), the transducer for one or two PtlOO sensors 
(accuracy: < +_ 0.1 K) and data transmission (RS232), and the LED display (resolution: 
0.1 K). "Mini-Medes" is equipped with zero, drift, and reference controls. Printer 
connection with time control and navigational data input is optional but not used in our 
SOOP yet. 
Fig. 1: 
The components of the contact thermometer "Mini Medes": measuring unit 
containing two PtlOO (top), data transmission unit (right), LED display (left)