MULTI-PROFILE SENSOR SYSTEM (MPSS)

A system is proposed to significantly reduce the minimum size of profiling oceanographic sensor platforms by reducing energy, volume and buoyance requirements. The design includes the ability to sense temperature, salinity, pressure, turbidity, ambient noise,surface current and the water velocity profile. Global Positioning System (GPS) electronics will provide surface current and timing information. The current velocity profile wil utilize earth magnetic field based velocity sensors (G.E.K). The data will be buffered in solid state memory and be made available through precise energy efficient GPS time bsed RF transmissins. The instrument volume will be substantially under 10 liters to comply with aircraft deployment restrictions. The instrument will have adequate surface stability for data transmission for both moored and free drifting applications. Energy management will include a solar cell based energy storage system, for when abmient light levels are above 20 mW/cm2. The successful completion of Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of a device capable of repeatedly profiling to 300 meters at least 50 times with enhanced measurement capability and extended lifetime over existing SSQ-36 and SSQ-57B sonobuoy systems.