Acoustic sensor networks for ice-covered seas, Wolstenholme Fjord, Greenland, 2017

This Integrated National Science Foundation (NSF) Support Promoting Interdisciplinary Research and Education (INSPIRE) award is partially funded by the Arctic Natural Sciences Program in the Division of Polar Programs in the Directorate for Geosciences, the Communications, Circuits and Sensing Systems Program in the Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems in the Directorate for Engineering ,and the Division of Computer and network Systems in the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering. The Principal Investigators (PIs) propose to design and develop an integrated underwater acoustic sensor network for ice-covered seas. It will transmit data wirelessly through acoustic waves from sub-surface ocean sensors to a receiving array with a surface connection to satellites and the Internet. The PIs will expand the limits and capabilities of underwater communication networks in the transition zone where sea ice changes from 1) smooth land-fast ice to 2) ridged mobile ice to 3) open water. This transition zone evolves in both time and space within the 30-50 km foot-print of the proposed networked sensor and communication network array. This goal requires integration of both existing knowledge from a set of diverse disciplines and intellectual innovations within each discipline. It will modify underwater communication network theory, coastal acoustic propagation and scattering, and experimental design of oceanography. Providing long-term, long-range acoustic connectivity, the PI team will address three major new research challenges: 1) Mid-frequency (1-5 kHz), mid-range (10 km) acoustic wave propagation in the transition zone; 2) Data telemetry in the new communication environment; and 3) Resilient sensor networks that cope with and harness complex dynamics of the transition zone. The multi-disciplinary team will implement reliable modem hardware, integrate it with resilient network protocol, and optimize the system design for Arctic deployment to support an ocean experiment off Thule, Greenland. The sensor and communication network will support 1) long-term, intelligent distributed Arctic observing systems, 2) assimilation of remote-sensing and in-situ under-ice measurements, and 3) regional and global climate modeling with real-time measurements. Such a network holds the promise to revolutionize under-ice ocean sampling in polar regions. Data will be broadly disseminated via the web and archived for public access. Planned outreach includes participation in the field program of Greenlandic residents from the Inupiat village of Qaanaaq and meaningful classroom involvement from the elementary to community college levels. The PIs are also committed to outreach through their global print, radio, television, and electronic media contacts.

本项目为美国国家科学基金会（National Science Foundation, NSF）促进跨学科研究与教育整合资助（Integrated National Science Foundation Support Promoting Interdisciplinary Research and Education, INSPIRE）项目，部分经费由地球科学理事会极地项目部门下属的北极自然科学项目、工程理事会电气、通信与网络系统部门下属的通信、电路与传感系统项目，以及计算机与信息科学与工程理事会下属的计算机与网络系统部门提供。本项目首席研究员（Principal Investigators, PIs）拟设计并开发一套适用于覆冰海域的整合式水下声学传感器网络，该网络可通过声波将水下海洋传感器采集的数据无线传输至接收阵列，接收阵列可与卫星及互联网建立地表连接。研究团队将拓展水下通信网络在海冰过渡带的性能与边界，该过渡带的海冰形态依次经历从平坦固定冰、脊状移动冰至开阔水域的动态变化，且在拟部署的联网传感器与通信网络阵列30-50公里的覆盖范围内，随时间与空间不断演化。本研究目标需整合多学科现有知识，并推动各学科内部的理论创新，研究将改进水下通信网络理论、海岸声学传播与散射理论，以及海洋学实验设计方法。凭借长期、远程的声学连接能力，研究团队将应对三项核心全新研究挑战：1）过渡带内中频段（1-5 kHz）、中距离（10公里）的声波传播问题；2）新型通信环境下的数据遥测技术；3）可适配并利用过渡带复杂动态特性的高鲁棒性传感器网络。该多学科研究团队将研发可靠的调制解调器硬件，将其与高鲁棒性网络协议集成，并优化适配北极部署的系统设计，以支持在格陵兰图勒（Thule）附近开展的海洋实验。这套传感器与通信网络将可支撑三大应用方向：1）长期、智能化的分布式北极观测系统；2）遥感与冰下原位测量数据的同化融合；3）基于实时测量数据的区域与全球气候建模。此类网络有望彻底变革极地海域的冰下海洋采样工作。研究数据将通过网络广泛公开传播，并归档以供公众访问。计划开展的科普推广活动包括邀请来自格陵兰卡纳克（Qaanaaq）因纽特村庄的居民参与野外项目，并为从小学到社区学院的各级学生提供有意义的课堂参与机会。研究团队还将通过其全球印刷媒体、广播、电视及电子媒体合作渠道开展科普推广工作。