Monitoring and Controlling System Performance in the Pioneer Buoy

The Pioneer buoy is part of an aquatic observatory, known as GLUCOS (Great Lakes Urban Coastal Observing System), being developed by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Great Lakes WATER Institute. The buoy can function as a rapid deployment system for measuring transient phenomena, or as a controller and wireless communication hub for large specialized instruments, such as water samplers or sediment traps. It is easily reconfigurable in order to satisfy the changing requirements of different scientific experiments. Changes in configuration are made possible by implementation of a modular design, with components that can be added or removed without affecting the overall functionality of the system. All components are designed and operated so that power consumption is minimized, due to the limited space for an onboard power supply and the lack of photovoltaic panels. In addition to the scientific data being collected by the observatory, the remote and potentially harsh deployment environment of each buoy system necessitates the collection of as much device performance data as is practical. This data can be used to correct for sensor errors, assess buoy performance, and to provide information for future, improved, buoy designs. This paper discusses the hardware and software design as well as test results of the Pioneer Buoy self-monitoring and control system.