Satellite data link buoy for wave-current measurement in very shallow waters

NATO operational requirements seek the covert ability to obtain in-situ real time environmental monitoring of an arbitrary surf zone. Towards that end, the NATO Undersea Research Centre has developed an autonomous wave-current meter, which independently collects and analyzes data and then transmits the reduced data stream back to a home station. A centerpiece of this system is the buoy-satellite component. Buoy communications are covering all regions of NATO interest and enable either an autonomous delivery of data as well remote operator interaction with the system. Communication protocols are based on TCP/IP optimized for low bandwidth satellite transmissions with a reduced transmission time to increase covert transmissions features.