ARENA: a versatile and multidisciplinary scientific submarine cable network of next generation

Seafloor observation system using the underwater cable is one of the most reliable ways to provide high-speed data transmission and continuous power feeding to underwater devices. Recent evolution in the optical submarine cable and Internet technology make it possible to develop a versatile scientific submarine cable network. IEEE OES (Institutes of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Oceanic Engineering Society) Japan chapter has conducted the feasibility study on the new scientific study on the new scientific submarine cable network. The proposed scientific cable network named ARENA has the following feature: (1) mesh-like cable network configuration covering vast research area with 3,600 km of total cable length; (2) over 66 observation nodes with 50 km intervals; (3) robustness against failures; (4) wideband optical transmission system capable of transmitting plural HDTV (high definition television) signal and synchronizing time signal with accuracy of one microsecond; (5) system extensibility; and (6) exchangeability of sensors. This paper will describe the outline of ARENA.