Synchronized intelligent buoy network for underwater positioning

This paper addresses the development of a new generation of lightweight intelligent buoys. These buoys are used to support underwater acoustic positioning systems, but were also designed to be elements of portable coastal observatories for short term deployments. We will present the main features of a buoy prototype including the physical structure, the computational system and algorithms developed to support operations. The paper also shows how to take advantage of this new tool to implement different navigation algorithms for AUVs.