Seafloor Sensor Processing With Environmental Calibration Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seafloor observation systems face challenges in accurately processing sensor signals from diverse environments due to varying installation conditions, leading to increased errors and costs in calibration and data processing, especially when sensors are calibrated under the same conditions across different locations.
Innovation Solution
A seafloor observation apparatus equipped with multiple sensors, a storage unit for software, a control unit for updating software, and a communication unit to transmit data, allowing for on-site data processing and software updates based on specific environmental conditions, reducing the need for complex land-based data processing and hardware customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sensors are calibrated under the same conditions across different locations, then calibration complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to environmental differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the calibration parameter from fixed factory calibration to dynamic environmental parameter-based calibration. The calibration values are adjusted based on actual environmental parameters (temperature, pressure, salinity) measured at the installation location, allowing the same sensor to be calibrated for different environments without increasing calibration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces environmental parameter measurements as an intermediary between the sensor and the final observation data. By measuring environmental parameters and using them to adjust calibration values, the system mediates the effect of environmental differences on measurement accuracy without requiring separate calibration for each location.
2Measurement precision
If software is updated at the land station, then data processing accuracy is improved, but communication time and data transmission overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary data processing and calibration adjustments at the seafloor observation apparatus using stored calibration values and environmental parameters. This preliminary action reduces the amount of data that needs to be transmitted to the land station and allows software updates to be performed asynchronously without blocking real-time observation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic software updating where the control unit can load and switch between different calibration value sets and processing algorithms based on current environmental conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing environments in real-time without requiring continuous communication with the land station.
Data Source
AI summary
A seafloor observation apparatus according to an example embodiment includes: a plurality of sensors including sensors of different types installed under the sea in an observation sea area; a storage unit configured to store software used for processing of sensor signals output from the plurality of sensors; a control unit capable of updating the software in response to update data transmitted from a land station through a submarine cable; a processing unit configured to generate observation data by performing processing of a sensor signal of each of the plurality of sensors by using the software; and a communication unit configured to transmit the observation data to the land station through the submarine cable.