Near shore wireless communication system for sensor buoys

A small array of deployable "Pioneer" buoys is under development as part of a project known as GLUCOS, the Great Lakes Urban Coastal Observation System. These buoys are networked with MaxStream 900 MHz wireless radio modems. Each buoy is equipped with limited onboard battery power and will not have the capability of recharging via photovoltaic panels. The idea is to create a device that is inexpensive, quickly deployable and retrievable, and contains an intuitive, simple electronic design. The requirements of a communication system capable of being interfaced with this near shore buoy network include sufficient range capability, low power consumption, and high reliability at a relatively low data rate. The buoy design, network overview, and communication results will be described