Collaborative Research: Development of an Autonomous Ocean Observatory Node

合作研究：自主海洋观测站节点的开发

• 批准号: 2322492
• 负责人: Harish Krishnamoorthy
• 金额: $ 18.18万
• 依托单位: University of Houston
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2023-10-01 至 2025-09-30
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2322492&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Development; Autonomous; Ocean

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.

在过去的二十年里，对观测海岸线以外海洋的需求导致了许多海底电缆观测站的安装。然而，许多具有科学意义的地方距离海岸太远，因此电缆很难到达。浩瀚的海洋需要新技术来实现类似的基础设施来感知更深的海洋，并加强地震学、大地测量学、海洋化学、海洋生物学等方面的科学研究。最近，自主水下航行器（AUV）、滑翔机以及海底机器人和传感器已被用来观察和了解这些偏远的海洋区域。然而，这些机器人和传感器网络支撑基础设施的缺乏一直是可持续发展的瓶颈。最终，需要一个多功能且高性能的深海自主观测节点（AON），为深海传感器网络和 AUV 提供充电、数据通信以及位置、导航和时间（PNT）服务。在该项目中，研究人员将设计第一阶段的AON并对其进行原型设计，该AON由两个子系统组成：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从海底传感器和 AUV 接收数据，并将其数据传输到水面滑翔机，然后滑翔机将数据转发到互联网。声学子系统将探索水下多输入多输出（MIMO）技术，以提供同步通信和PNT服务。 UMG 子系统采用各种电源作为输入，并将其转换为电能，以支持声学子系统的连续、低功耗传感器负载和短暂、高电流要求的负载。两个子系统都将采用耐压电子 (PTE) 方法来设计其关键组件，以提高功率效率和耐压能力。原型机将在 10,000 psi 压力下进行压力测试，并在 500 m 深度进行海洋测试。 AON 原型将首先应用于深海传感和地震早期探测系统。该奖项反映了 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。