Remotely Operated Data Acquisition System
Quester Tangent R & D has launched a project to implement satellite remote control of shipboard data acquisition systems.
Opportunity
One of the most expensive parts of data collection is the scientist's time on board the vessel. Quester Tangent's Seabed Classification systems have a significant advantage in that they do not need to be constantly monitored once they are installed and operating. Consequently Quester Tangent, in mid 2001, launched the RODAS project to investigate the feasibility to remotely monitor and control, via satellite or cell phone, QTC VIEW™ systems on board vessels of opportunity.
Remote Monitoring
Using RODAS a scientist on land will be able to communicate directly, via the Internet, with the data acquisition systems on board vessels at sea. The systems will report daily to the scientist, who can then pass instructions back to the systems. Remote monitoring and control of ship-board systems means:
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A single person can deal with many acquisition systems operating simultaneously on many vessels
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Monitoring and control can occur from anywhere that Internet access is available
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Significant time is saved: the researcher does not need to remain on board the vessel
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Information from one or many vessels can be distributed to a large network of users
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Orders for data sets can be placed via the Internet
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Operational readiness is maximized
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Minimal involvement is required of the ship's crew
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Greater potential to utilize vessels of opportunity
First Deployment
Phase 1 of RODAS is already under way. This phase investigates the basic requirements and feasibility of the system. The first field trials will occur in October 2001, with a system to be placed on board a vessel in the Arctic to collect data for Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
More Opportunity
The capability of remotely communicating directly with systems on board a ship can extend beyond the distribution of sea floor information. The technology can be expanded to monitor and control other scientific instrumentation, and possibly other ship systems as well, such as the remote monitoring of power plant, electrical systems or other electronic sub-systems.
Current Partners
Quester Tangent's partners in the project are:
Future Partners
As Quester Tangent moves into Phases 2 and 3 of this program, new partners will be sought to participate in the remote communication aspects, market development and roll-out of the product. Contact us at info@questertangent.com if you have any questions or potential interest.