Seafloor observatories enable real-time, continuous and long-term observations that\npromise major breakthroughs in ocean sciences. The effort to dynamically control in situ sensor\nsystems performing individual and cooperative observation tasks is both a challenge and a guarantee\nfor the stable operations of functional observatories. However, current sensor control systems for\nseafloor observatories are application-oriented and focus on specific engineering requirements rather\nthan general model research. In this paper, a sensor control model was proposed to provide a\ntheoretical specification for designing, developing and deploying a sensor control system for cabled\nseafloor observatories. The model abstracted the sensor control as a standardized bidirectional\ninformation flow process and accordingly structured the control system into the application layer,\nthe service layer, the networking layer, and the sensing layer. The layered functions and interactions\nbetween adjacent layers in return realized this information process. A prototype control system\nwas designed and developed, the monitoring architecture of which was derived from one of\nthe deployment scenarios of the sensor control model. The prototype system was tested for its\nplug-and-play enablement through a series of trials such as tank tests and shallow sea trials. It was\nput into service for the operational Xiaoqushan Seafloor Observatory and was consistently functioning\nand presenting satisfactory practical performance in accordance with all the requirements laid for\nthe project.
Loading....