Radio telemetry buoy for long-range communication
First Claim
1. A remotely controlled radio telemetry buoy serving as a communication link between an underwater acoustic interrogation/receiving transponder system and a remotely located surface platform, comprising:
- a radio transmitter operably coupled to said transponder system for transmitting data received from said transponder system in a frequency range of 162-173 MHz;
a radio transceiver operating in a frequency range of 2-16 MHz for exchanging control signals between said surface platform and said buoy;
a controller operably coupled to said radio transmitter and said radio transceiver for routing said control signals to one of said radio transmitter, said radio transceiver and said transponder system;
a power supply joined to said radio transmitter, said radio transceiver, said transponder system and said controller for providing power thereto; and
a housing for maintaining said radio transmitter, said radio transceiver and said power supply, at the surface of the sea in a relatively fixed relationship with respect to said transponder system.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A remotely controlled radio telemetry buoy serves as a communication link tween an underwater acoustic interrogation/receiving transponder system and a remotely located surface platform. The buoy houses a transmission device, a transceiver device and a controller. The transmission device transmits data received from the transponder system as electromagnetic energy in a frequency range of 162-173 MHz. The transceiver device exchanges digital control signals between the surface platform and the buoy in the frequency range of 2-16 MHz. The controller transfers the control signals between the transceiver device and the transmission device and the transponder system.
35 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A remotely controlled radio telemetry buoy serving as a communication link between an underwater acoustic interrogation/receiving transponder system and a remotely located surface platform, comprising:
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a radio transmitter operably coupled to said transponder system for transmitting data received from said transponder system in a frequency range of 162-173 MHz; a radio transceiver operating in a frequency range of 2-16 MHz for exchanging control signals between said surface platform and said buoy; a controller operably coupled to said radio transmitter and said radio transceiver for routing said control signals to one of said radio transmitter, said radio transceiver and said transponder system; a power supply joined to said radio transmitter, said radio transceiver, said transponder system and said controller for providing power thereto; and a housing for maintaining said radio transmitter, said radio transceiver and said power supply, at the surface of the sea in a relatively fixed relationship with respect to said transponder system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method by which an underwater acoustic interrogation/receiving transponder system communicates with a remotely located, above-water site, comprising the steps of:
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exchanging control signals in a radio frequency range of 2-16 MHz in a bi-directional fashion between said above-water site and a position substantially at the surface of the sea in the vicinity of said transponder system; relaying said control signals to said transponder system as a means of controlling said transponder system; relaying data collected underwater by said transponder system to said position; and transmitting said data collected underwater from said position in a radio frequency range of 162-173 MHz. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A remotely controlled radio telemetry buoy serving as a communications link between an underwater transponder system and a remotely located surface platform, comprising:
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a sonar transceiver system positioned in acoustic communication with said underwater transponder system; a radio transceiver operably coupled to said sonar transceiver system for transmitting data received from said transponder system and for receiving control signals from said surface platform; a controller operably coupled to said radio transceiver for routing said control signals to one of said radio transceiver and said sonar transceiver; a power supply for powering said radio transceiver, said sonar transceiver and said controller; and a housing for maintaining said radio transceiver, said sonar transceiver, said controller, and said power supply, at the surface of the sea in a relatively fixed relationship with respect to said transponder system. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification