Development of a Small, Low-Cost, Networked Buoy for Persistent Ocean Monitoring and Data Acquisition

The modern ocean environment is rapidly emerging as the next medium for big data analytics. Oceanographers, environmentalists, and maritime professionals alike are increasingly demanding real-time sensor information. The most valuable currency in this modern era is filtered oceanographic data, such as quantitative sea-state information, sea-surface temperatures, salinity, large-area current behaviors, and observed vessel traffic patterns. Recent research at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) has focused on the design, development, and deployment of a small, low-cost, free-floating, networked buoy to provide such real-time, in-situ data. This paper focuses on the full spectrum of present-day research/prototyping activity, including the design of a watertight, rapidly configurable buoy body; the integration of associated electronic systems using low-cost, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology; and the development of onboard data processing and data transmission algorithms. The final buoy design features a cylindrical PVC structure, an ARDUINO-based control system, a variety of unique sensors, and IRIDIUM-based satellite connectivity.