Oceanographic DataLink

Abstract

Significant advances have been made in sensors and systems to monitor the ocean environment over the last few years. These sensors and systems are becoming increasingly complex. AOSN (autonomous ocean sampling network) is a good example, with a network of cooperating autonomous underwater vehicles sampling a volume rather than a single plane of the ocean. In addition, these sensors and systems are being placed in increasingly remote regions. Telemetry systems such as INMARSAT, MSAT/AMSC, and GOES are either too costly, provide only limited ocean coverage, or support limited throughput. ARGOS provides the necessary coverage, but it is one-way with very limited throughput. Without significant advances in oceanographic telemetry, it will not be possible to take advantage of the benefits of these new sensors and systems. Help is on the horizon. There is considerable excitement and interest in new and planned satellite systems, especially low Earth orbit (LEO) systems. This paper discusses the disadvantages of these systems for oceanographic applications and describes an alternative based on existing geosynchronous satellites, the Oceanographic DataLink (ODL). ODL is based on existing geosynchronous satellites and is not dependent on the financial success of a complex network of satellites. It provides the lowest cost, lowest risk solution for remote environmental data collection required for the next generation of sensors and systems. This paper describes the system, the underlying technology, and possible applications including moored and drifting buoys and long endurance autonomous underwater vehicle applications it compares this system to current and planned systems and describes its benefits for global environmental data collection.