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iSPHERE - Oil Spill Monitoring and Current Tracking Buoy
The MetOcean oil spill tracking buoy, iSPHERE, is truly unique. An alternative to the standard ARGOSPHERE drifter, which uses the Argos satellite system for data telemetry, this new-generation buoy uses the reliable bi-directional Iridium satellite system to communicate and to transmit essential scientific data. Iridium telemetry is the most cost-effective means of transmitting data for environmental applications. The Iridium modem provides the end-user with lower transmission costs and an increase in data throughput. The two-way communication will allow for more customized data.
The iSPHERE still holds the same tracking capabilities, sensors, and robust hull design for effortless deployment as the ARGOSPHERE. Both the ARGOSPHERE and iSPHERE have proven to be important spill response tools for the oceanographic and oil and gas markets.
The iSPHERE is an expendable, low cost, bi-directional spherical drifting buoy. The drifter was developed to meet the demanding needs of the offshore oil industry, ocean freight industry and the oceanographic scientific community. The buoy was designed specifically to track and monitor oil spill incidences. The iSPHERE drifter also provides the user with essential real-time sea surface temperature data and GPS positional data.
The robust design of the iSPHERE allows the buoy to be deployed effortlessly from a vessel or an oil platform. The standard operating life of the buoy is approximately 180-365 days.
Data Collection
- Data acquisition: 6 samples each of SST and VBAT acquired at 20 seconds interval averaged
- Transmission interval: Once every 30 minutes
- GPS position acquired at XX:30:XX and XX:60:00
- Sea Surface Temperature and Battery Voltage acquisition starts at XX:03:00 and XX:33:00
Electronics
- MetOcean`s Global Platform Transceiver Controller
- Navman Jupiter 32 Global Positioning System module
- Iridium 9601 Short Burst Data transceiver
Data Transmission
- Bidirectional communication ability allows the end| user to select on demand Iridium transmission interval according to operational requirements
- Transmissions can be set up at predetermined schedule intervals and / or poll the unit for immediate results
- Data latency is less than 60 seconds from start of transmission