Real-Time Oceanographic Data from Georges Bank

A complete data system has been developed to gather, process and telemeter oceanographic data from Georges Bank on the outer continental shelf. It consists of a microprocessor based central processing unit collecting data, performing calculations and controlling interfacing devices; sensors for measuring current speed, magnetic heading, conductivity, temperature and bottom pressure; an on-board tape recorder; and a satellite telemetry link. The microprocessor allows extensive in-situ calculations to be accomplished including sensor nonlinearity corrections, salinity from conductivity and temperature, resolution of current and heading into NS/EW vectors, digital filtering, mean product calculation and data averaging. Hourly transmissions of processed data are immediately available for viewing and analysis. Operational units were deployed beginning in the fall of 1977.