Telecommunication Systems (1)

telecommunications systems used for sharing buoy data in real time are divided into three distinct phases:

From buoy to Satellite, to data processing centre.

From data processing centre to the GTS of WMO insertion centre

From the GTS of WMO insertion center, through the GTS to a downlink node and the data user.

Satellite Telecommunications and the Global Telecommunications System of WMO are described in detail below.

Satellite telecommunications systems

A majority of buoys used satellite telecommunications systems such as Inmarsat, ORBCOMM, Iridium or Argos to send messages.

General Information

Argos

The system consists of in-situ data collection platforms equipped with sensors and transmitters and the Argos instrument aboard the NOAA and EUMETSAT Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites (POES). It provides global coverage and can be relatively inexpensive.

Argos data processing is the responsibility of CLS and CLS America and is financed through the Argos Joint Tarif Agreement. The Argos system provides a user friendly online system to access data and platform information.

Iridium

Iridium telecommunications offers several different types of services for data sharing depend on requirements. It provides global coverage and can be relatively inexpensive. The DBCP has to-date used the Short Burst Data mode for drifting buoys. The Iridium pilot project is testing the use of iridium SBD Modem (9601) to reduce delays in receiving drifter data in remote areas. Iridium allows a large amount of data to be delivered very quickly. More Information from the Iridium web site.

Information about data formats in use, by the DBCP, for Argos and Iridium is available under Data Management and Flow

Other systems in use

Many moored buoys use one of the following satellite telecommunications systems:

Inmarsat or

ORBCOMM

or geostationary meteorological satellites,

GOES or

METEOSAT