The Tethered Ocean Profiler, TOP

The mechanical and electrical design and control system firmware/software for the Tethered Ocean Profiler (TOP), are presented. TOP is designed to autonomously sample the evolving upper polar ocean water properties from 200 m depth to within 15 cm of the ice-ocean interface while drifting with the sea ice. In addition, by repeatedly traveling up to the ice-ocean interface, TOP is able to estimate the evolving draft of the floe supporting the instrument. To date, 7 TOP systems have been fielded in the Canada Basin sector of the Arctic. Engineering data and initial scientific findings based on those data are reported and plans for system enhancements discussed.