This Ocean Sciences Instrumentation development project will develop a timed-release telemetering data capsule for use on moored and bottom-mounted instruments such as current meters. A goal for the project is the ability to attach one or more data capsules to instrumentation for long-term deployment. A capsule's controller will compress, encode, and store data collected by the instrument. At some predetermined time, the controller will activate a release enabling the capsule to rise to the surface, whereupon it will transmit the stored data ashore via a satellite communications link. Various data encoding and telemetring schemes for a micro-computer based controller will be developed and interfaced to a choice of existing data recorders. Instrumentation mounting assemblies and capsule release mechanisms will also be developed and field tested. The use of such data capsules will provide logistic and scientific advantages over present systems that require the entire instrument package to be retrieved before data is collected. In remote geographical areas where data is sparse and expensive to collect, long-term instrumentation could be deployed with the scientist being able to receive data periodically. Not only would there be an indication that the instruments were working properly, but there will also be the option of progressively analyzing data and altering experimental design based on received information. Data capsules also enhance the possibility of using expendable instrumentation that have certain economical advantages.
