Remote data acquisition techniques applied to oceanographic and meteorological data buoys

The NOAA Data Buoy Office (NDBO) has, since October 1972, deployed a number of Oceanographic and Meteorological (O&M) data buoys in various gulf and ocean regions to provide, essentially, synoptic data for the National Weather Service and for scientific service communities. The overall framework by which O&M reporting is accomplished, is governed by international agreements, notably, the World Administration Radio Conference (WARC) 1967 and related conferences thereto. However, within the WARC framework designated for oceanographic data transmission, several different approaches have been taken with regard to functional implementation and operation. This paper will present the generalized WARC operating framework, the various approaches regarding frequency channeling, design, performance and operation of the data acquisition function for four types of buoys. Initial results for each buoy type will also be presented. Finally, this paper will broach the plans for conversion to communication satellite operation for 1974 and beyond.