Oceanographic and meteorological remote sensing buoy system

This paper describes an oceanographic and meteorological remote sensing system using remote buoys. The system is subdivided into the following subsystems; primary buoys, secondary buoys or transducers, and a shore computer controlled command system. The most distinguishing feature of the system is the immediate availability of the data to the investigator with no delays caused by the storage of data, and the ability of the investigator to change the sampling rate under varying environmental conditions. An inherent flexibility of the system is the ability of the primary buoys to act as repeater stations for the secondary buoys, thus reducing the power that is needed at the secondary buoys and the cost of the equipment. Data acquisition is controlled by a PDP-15/30 computer as directed by the investigating scientist. The computer will sample any desired parameter at a rate specified by the investigator storing the data in the computer system or graphically displaying it if the scientist desires to examine it. The PDP- 15/30 computer can also simultaneously process the raw data through mathematical or statistical routines into a form desired by the scientist. The primary buoys (having the pseudonym TOTEM) are the main data acquisition points of the system. Each of the primary buoys has 64 analog data channels, which are digitized at the buoy, 32 digital data channels, 32 command channels, 3 continuous analog channels, and a low-speed digital channel (100 bits per second). The primary buoy is controlled via a 600 bit per second VHF/UHF radio data link. Because of limitations of the present radio data link, the data acquisition rate is limited to 40 samples per second using 12 bit data words. Located on the primary buoys are the standard meteorological equipment as anemometers, barometers, air temperature and rain gauges. Oceanographic sensors are mounted on an instrument package that is lowered remotely by the computer measuring sea temperature, currents, turbulence, co- - nductivity, and oxygen content from the surface to 500 meters, and ocean currents and temperature are measured at fixed depths with outriggers attached to the primary buoy. Also located on the buoy are sensors to measure wave height and direction along with other special purpose sensors to measure air-sea interactions and other parameters. The secondary buoys and transducers are designed to transmit data back to the computer through the primary buoys via radio or acoustical links to the primary buoy and by the normal data link to the computer. There is no set physical form for a secondary buoy or transducer as the individual system is tailored to the particular parameters desired and can be located anywhere from the ocean´s surface to the ocean´s bottom. The system´s modular design permits investigators to attach an experiment to the system by inserting a printed circuit board. It should be noted that all of the system described on the primary buoy can operate simultaneously and an optional voice link exists for system maintenance and check out.