Arctic environmental buoy system

The AEB is a remote unattended data acquisition and telemetry system designed for deployment on ice covered seas. The total system as presently configured consists of up to 12 AEBs and a Central Control Station (CCS). The Central Control Station under computer control collects the data from the AEBs, processes the data and formats the data on a digital tape for future analysis. The CCS is also capable of controlling the majority of the AEB functions via a command link. The AEB is configured to sample sensor data and acquire position data at three hour intervals automatically. The present sensor configuration allows 6 primary sensors with 10 bit resolution and 16 auxiliary sensors with 5 bit resolution. The auxiliary sensors are sampled only once per day. The sensor data and position data are stored in a digital memory which is transmitted via an H.F. link once per day to the Central Control Station. A unique dual memory concept is utilized to prevent data loss due to propagation vagaries and polar cap absorption events. The position measurements are accomplished by an on-board NAVSAT receiver.