Collaborative Research: Development of an Autonomous Ocean Observatory Node

在过去的二十年里，对观察海岸线以外的海洋的需求导致了许多海底电缆观测站的安装。然而，许多具有科学价值的地方离海岸太远，因此，电缆很难到达。海洋的辽阔需要新的技术来使类似的基础设施能够感知更深的海洋，并加强在地震学、大地测量学、海洋化学、海洋生物学等领域的科学调查。最近，自主水下机器人(AUV)、滑翔机、海底机器人和传感器被用于观测和了解这些偏远的海洋区域。然而，缺乏这些机器人和传感器网络的配套基础设施一直是可持续发展的瓶颈。最终，人们希望有一个多功能的、高性能的深海自主观测节点(AON)来为深海传感器网络和AUV提供能量充电、数据通信以及位置、导航和时间(PNT)服务。在这个项目中，研究人员将设计并制作一个由两个子系统组成的第一阶段全光网络：水声通信子系统和水下微电网(UMG)子系统。声学子系统使用大量传感器来接收来自海底传感器和AUV的数据，并将其数据传输到水面滑翔机，然后再将数据转发到互联网。水声分系统将探索水下多输入多输出(MIMO)技术，以提供同时通信和PNT服务。UMG子系统接受各种电源作为输入，并将其转换为电能，以支持声学子系统的连续、低功率传感器负载和简短、高电流要求的负载。这两个子系统都将采用耐压电子(PTE)方法来设计其关键部件，以提高功率效率和耐压能力。原型将在10000磅/平方英寸的压力下进行测试，并在500米深进行海上测试。AON原型将首先应用于深海传感和地震早期探测系统。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The demand for observing the ocean beyond the coastlines has led to numerous installations of sub-sea cabled observatories in the last two decades. However, many scientifically-interesting places are too far from shore, thus, are difficult for cables to reach. The vastness of the oceans calls for new technologies to enable similar infrastructure to sense deeper oceans and enhance scientific investigations in seismology, geodesy, ocean chemistry, marine biology, etc. Recently, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), gliders, and seafloor robots and sensors have been utilized to observe and understand these remote ocean regions. However, the lack of supporting infrastructures for these robots and sensor networks has been the bottleneck for sustainable development. Ultimately a versatile and highly capable Autonomous Observatory Node (AON) for the deep ocean is desired to provide power recharging, data communication, and Position, Navigation, and Time (PNT) services to deep sea sensor networks and AUVs. In this project, the investigators will design and prototype a first-phase AON consisting of two subsystems: the underwater acoustic communication subsystem and the Underwater MicroGrid (UMG) subsystem. The acoustic subsystem uses a large number of transducers to receive data from seafloor sensors and AUVs and transfer their data to a surface glider which then relays the data to the Internet. The acoustic subsystem will explore the underwater Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) technology to provide simultaneous communication and PNT services. The UMG subsystem takes a variety of power sources as input and converts them into electrical power to support both continuous, low-power sensor loads and brief, high-current demanding loads with the acoustic subsystem. Both subsystems will take the Pressure Tolerant Electronic (PTE) approach to design their critical components for enhanced power efficiency and pressure tolerance. The prototypes will be pressure tested at 10,000 psi and ocean tested at 500 m depth. The prototype AON will be first applied to deep ocean sensing and earthquake early detection systems.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.