Communication Plug for Submarine Hull (ComPlug4SH) System

To provide the U.S. Navy an innovative undersea interface for hull penetration systems that will support long duration communication with external sensors, American GNC Corporation (AGNC) and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) are proposing the Communication Plug for Submarine Hull (ComPlug4SH) System. The ComPlug4SH system’s ultimate goal is to increase safety when launching probes to collect sea data (Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth) by providing a bridge between the submarine’s external environment and hull interior. The ComPlug4SH will allow to close the mechanical launcher structure (such as SUBSAFE systems and Non-Seawater Piping) while keeping a data communication channel through a hull’s metallic plug, which will also be used to isolate the submarine exterior from the interior. The ComPlug4SH compiles State-of-the-Art (SOTA) technologies which include: (a) size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) optimized processing board and internal communication interfaces; (b) robust data (and power if needed) transferal through barrier; (c) external interfaces to SOTA networking systems; and (d) local processing that enables optional complementary operations such as self-diagnostics, control, and monitoring.