Performance analysis of the real-time motion compensation system controlling a directional antenna aboard the OceanNet buoy

Summary form only given. A recent experiment demonstrating the capabilities of the OceanNet buoy, a self-contained instrument platform with high-bandwidth satellite data communications, was conducted in the Bahamas. The buoy communicates in real-time via Intelsat at 1 Mb/sec using a specially designed directional antenna from Harris Corporation and an antenna controller from Matra Marconi Ltd. The motion and heading of the buoy is measured by a Seatex Seapath 200 and sent to the controller in order to orient the antenna for maximum data transmission. By analyzing the data throughput with respect to the motion of the buoy, the authors are able to evaluate the effectiveness of the antenna controller system in varied sea-states. Since the motion of a buoy platform of this size is of general interest, they will also discuss and evaluate the nature of the buoy movement as reported by the motion measurement system.