Buoy for Global-Scale Marine Observation
At the request of the Japan Marine Science and Technology Center (JAMSTEC), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has developed marine observation buoys. The buoy is designed to collect and transmit underwater data such as current speed and conductivity, temperature and pressure of sea water to the buoy, using inductivecoupling data communication technology.
Finally the data is transmitted by the satellite (ARGOS system) in real time, together with surface meteorological data, such as wind speed/direction, humidity, air temperature, pressure, precipitation, and short wave radiation.
The buoy is properly designed to withstand the expected wind, current, and wave at the deployment site, using precise taut mooring.
The buoy system is composed of a surface buoy hull equipped with a tower with meteorological sensors, and ARGOS antenna, pressure bottles for batteries and data transmission system, and mooring system of wire rope with underwater sensors and nylon rope with recovery buoys, acoustic releasers and sinker.
The buoy is scheduled to be transported to the selected site on the Pacific Ocean by mother ship, "MIRAI".
