Cabled observatory

Cabled observatories are seabed oceanographic research platforms connected to the surface by undersea cables. Such cables supply both power and telecommunications to instruments.[1] By removing the limitations of undersea power sources and sonar or RF communications, cabled observatories allow persistent study of underwater phenomena.[2] A single cable can support multiple observation sites via individual "drops;"[3] multiple or branching cables may then provide data in 2D or 3D.

The extent of coverage is limited by the high cost of laying dedicated undersea cable. Initial experiments used abandoned communications cables;[2] efforts are in progress to extend observations at lower cost by accessing more such cables.

List of cabled observatories

See also

References

  1. ↑ Vendor description (L3)
  2. 1 2 WHOI page
  3. ↑ Vendor description (Oceanworks)


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