Real Time Environmental/Biological Monitoring System

This work aims to create a platform capable of transmitting data from underwater environment of the Mississippi Sound directly to the cloud and in real time. This platform will then house different sensors allowing users to have real time information on the status of the underwater environment. The proposed platform will be designed to allow two-way communications. Hence, the user may change the rate at which data is transmitted as well as when the platform becomes visible for retrieval The platform will house a power storage unit capable of supporting transmission of data on the cellular system for a period greater than one month. This period is expected to increase as system design is refined. The system will have minimal visibility on the water surface, eliminating the possibility of vandalism. This will be achieved by designing a special antenna that will break the surface for transmission and be retracted otherwise. The system will also be equipped with an Underwater Timed Release (float release) mechanism. This mechanism will allow a float to be released at a predetermined time. This time can be modified anytime the platform is in transmission mode. This platform will then be used with our gape measurement sensor system, allowing researchers to observe oyster gaping in real time. Since it has already been established that oyster gaping can be used to gauge the health of the environment, this system will create a real time monitor of the environmental health of the Mississippi Sound. Finally, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be developed and trained to read in data from this platform and issue alarms accordingly.