Environmental and Oceanographic Measurement and Data (NOMAD) System

To address the NOAA’s need for cost-effective, highly reliable, readily deployable, platform-independent sensors and observing systems, Intellisense Systems, Inc. (Intellisense) proposes to continue to develop the new Environmental and Oceanographic Measurement and Data (NOMAD) system based on a low-power, ultra-compact design that utilizes previously developed mature components and pioneering Intellisense technologies to achieve breakthrough size, ease of deployment, modularity, and adaptability and to provide a wide range of sensing capabilities without relying on any existing platform. The data system includes quality control at the sensor level using efficient edge computing, augmented by data management at the network level to directly address NOAA requirements. In Phase I, Intellisense demonstrated the feasibility of NOMAD by developing a full prototype, reaching TRL-7, and performing real-world testing in the Pacific Ocean, where the mechanical float design was proven and panoramic full-color images, water temperature data, and ambient light sensing data were transmitted through Iridium to a basic user interface. In Phase II, Intellisense plans to develop additional sensor options for incorporation and evaluation in the Phase I prototype, and to prepare production tooling and procedures necessary to begin the transition of NOMAD toward TRL-8 for qualification testing and full-rate production.