Internet-At-Sea
Capture and transmission of images
Access to the internet
from ships at sea can help scientists improve the efficiency and effectiveness
of their missions, and increase the quality of the enviromental data gathered.
Data from the ships transmitted to land based facilities via the Internet
can be analyzed with more powerful computers and by several collaborating
scientists. This analysis provides scientists aboard the ships with valuable
information needed to make adjustments to their data sampling. In addition,
data available from NOAA and other internet sources, such as weather and
sea conditions, improves the mariner's ability to plan ship movements
to maximize data collection. Successful implementation of this cutting
edge technology can provide other researchers around the world with a
blueprint to connect other remote environmental data acquisition platforms.
Applications of the
Internet at Sea links include:
NOAA's HPCC project provided
funding in FY96 and FY97 in support of this demonstration project. The demonstration
activity started the process of installing an INMARSAT B satellite communication
transceiver with a high speed data (56 to 64 kB/sec) channel on two research
ships and a connection, via an existing router at the Pacific Marine Environmental
Lab in Seattle, to the North West Network backbone. INMARSAT B with high
speed data channel become commercially available in FY97 and was installed
as soon as upgrades became available. Network upgrades, satellite hardware
installations and connections were implemented in FY98. A preliminary investigation
of the capabilities of this process was been conducted using the facilities
of the NOAA Ship Ka'imimoana. NC conducted preliminary work in the use of
INMARSAT A for ship to shore connectivity via land based networks.
FY 96 activities:
- Procurement of
Inmarsat B upgrades for two vessels
- Testing of high-speed
connectivity to the Ka'imimoana
- Development of
the Ka'imimoana Near Real-Time Theme Page
- Preliminary testing
of video capabilities
FY 97 activities:
- Installation of
Inmarsat B upgrades on selected ships
- Completion of testing
and implementation of video capabilities
- Development of
a second Web page on the Miller Freeman
- Expansion of presentations
for educational institutions/outreach
- Development of
data compression and transfer methods
- Demonstration of
"live" Internet connectivity to the Ka'imimoana
FY 98 activities
- Installation of
Inmarsat upgrades
- Development of
ONCO ship video archive pages
- Extensive use of
live video capabilities during the VENTS cruise on the Ron Brown
- Use of Internet@Sea
capabilites as part of the HPCC funded
Classroom@sea project project
Continuing activities
- Enhancement of
ships' "at-sea" web pages
- Daily downloads
of images and current shipboard conditions from various ships
- Support for real-time
video downloads during selected cruises
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