Development of an Autonomous, Low-Cost Oceanographic Drifter Buoy with Real-Time Bi-Directional Iridium Satellite Communication Capabilities

Abstract

This study focused on the design and prototyping of the electronics payload of an oceanographic drifter buoy relying on low1cost off1the1shelf hardware. The prototype drifter buoy, called “PISCES1A”, featured bi1directional Iridium satellite communications capabilities that allows users to modify in real time the buoy’s data collection and data transmission configuration, even after its ocean deployment. PISCES1A was deployed in the N. Pacific Ocean, where it collected real time and archived oceanographic data (latitude & longitude, velocity, heading, sea1surface temperature, sea1surface salinity) and system diagnostics information (voltage, internal humidity, internal temperature). The buoy hardware cost $931, and yielded high resolution in situ oceanographic data. Comparisons with satellite1based sea1 surface height and sea1surface temperature data showed good agreement between the locations of the mesoscale oceanographic features, regional surface currents and sea1surface temperatures (average difference of 0.31° C). The drifter buoy demonstrated the impact that carefully engineered, low1cost electronic systems can have in the sciences, particularly within the field of physical oceanography.