Valeport has an ongoing research and development programme into sensors and instruments, and has long established links with universities, institutes and other research organisations, to ensure the product range is continuously updated to meet user requirements. Since its inception, Valeport has maintained a policy of investment in a wide range of in-house skills and facilities that include electronic and mechanical design, development, manufacture, assembly, test and calibration. This gives the company direct control of all engineering activities and thus enables it to provide long term product support. The adjacent River Dart, its estuary and the proximity of the open sea, enable field testing and evaluation of oceanographic instrumentation to be carried out. Specific facilities include: Design Mechanical and electronic CAD Analogue and digital electronics Micro-controller and application software Development High specification electronics test equipment Environmental chambers Field testing - river, port, estuary and sea Manufacture Full mechanical workshop Static-free environment for all electronic handling, testing & assembly PCB assembly and wave soldering Surface mount device placement and reflow Calibration Calibration of conductivity, salinity, temperature and pressure using industry standard methods. Calibration of flow using tow tank Calibration of compass using 3-axis magnetic field rig Installation and Service Field installation Maintenance and support Service and repair