Sensor integration/data transmission testing

Four SenseOCEAN partners, Chelsea Technologies Group, nke instrumentation, TU Graz and the National Oceanography Centre, came together in December in Southampton to carry out real time testing of the Modbus - EMAP iridium module with the optode and lab-on-chip sensors in the Southampton docks.

Optode sensors for O2, pH and pCO2 and lab-on-chip sensors for iron and phosphate were deployed in trials of increasing complexity (single, sensor, multiple sensors of same type, multiple sensors of different types) to test the data transfer from the sensors to the Modbus board and then transmission of the data files via iridium networks to the server. Files created for all sensors were successfully downloaded to the server.

Image courtesy Peter Zach

The image above shows sensors mounted on a rack which was deployed in the dock at a depth of ~2.5m for a total of six days. The rack was briefly retrieved after two days to recalibrate some of the sensors.

Rack with mounted sensors prior on pontoon prior to deployment (left). Rack moored to jetty (right). Image courtesy Peter Zach

In addition to successful demonstration of the data transfer/transmission, it was also another opportunity to assess the performance of the sensors. The sensors performed well showing data consistent with the expected conditions while functioning for the full period of the deployment.