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Common Sensor Platform publication charts a new era in geophysical station design

Tags: Common Sensor Platform

We are excited to share a new publication in the AGU journal Perspectives of Earth and Space Scientists that introduces the Common Sensor Platform (CSP) Project, a unified, modular, and scalable approach to geophysical station design. 

The CSP project—formally launched in 2023 with NSF support—brought together engineers from across EarthScope’s Instrumentation Services to unify and standardize engineering practices and station designs into a modular, scalable platform. Developed through extensive collaboration across EarthScope as operator of the NSF GAGE and SAGE facilities, the CSP team reviewed existing station designs, identified major sub-system needs, and defined requirements for the core CSP station. 

Schematic diagram of a Common Sensor Platform station concept showing modular and scalable components.
CSP station concept with modular and scalable elements.

For researchers, the CSP offers standardized, well-tested station designs that improve efficiency, reliability, and uptime for both permanent networks and portable deployments. Publicly available resources—including a requirements document, technical design document, and interactive Station Builder webtool—makes it easier for researchers at all experience levels to design and deploy stations. Built on broad collaboration, the CSP is designed to evolve with new technologies and the changing needs of the geophysics community.

The full article, authored by a cross-disciplinary team from across EarthScope’s Instrumentation Services, is open access and available to all. Read it here to explore how the CSP will support the next generation of geophysical research.

With completion of the design phase of the CSP project, stay tuned for more on the CSP’s continued efforts of prototyping, testing, and validation of core design and engineering workflows.

A woman stands at the front of a conference room, presenting a hand-drawn engineering diagram on a flip chart to a seated group. A man stands beside her, and a large screen behind them displays a slide titled “Common Sensor Platform: Engineering Activity Report Out,” with a list of discussion questions. Several participants watch attentively, with laptops, drinks, and notes on the table.
Members of the CSP team plan out initial station designs at a meeting in May 2023.
A group of twelve people pose for a photo inside a warehouse-like space, some standing and some kneeling in front. Behind them are industrial shelves and bright yellow and blue transport cases, with one case open to reveal pink foam padding.
Group photo of members of the CSP team at the EarthScope Primary Instrument Center following a team meeting in June 2025.