The Evolution of Autonomous Untethered Gateway Communications Buoys

Remote ocean sampling, environmental monitoring, and modern littoral warfare increasingly make use of networks of both sea surface and underwater-based assets. Command and control of these assets requires the ability to direct commands to, and to monitor and acquire data from these assets. This is presently accomplished through the use of what is referred to as "gateway buoys." As presently configured, these gateway buoys are anchored, battery operated buoys which are equipped with line of sight RF telemetry, long range satellite based telemetry, and underwater acoustic telemetry. These communication systems provide a seamless way of providing remote command and control communications between a shore- or ship- based command center and a widely dispersed network of remotely deployed underwater assets. As technology progresses and the need for greater autonomy has surfaced, the latest generation of gateway communication buoys builds upon past successes to deliver a true autonomous, station-keeping, communications interface to subsurface assets for real-time command & control as well as data acquisition