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Technical Specifications of
Surface Buoy
Envirtech SpA
Venice, 15th February 2011
This document or parts of it cannot be used for scopes not authorized by Envirtech SpA that will protect its
rights.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2 SB ARCHITECTURE.......................................................................................................................................4
3 SB FUNCTIONALITIES ................................................................................................................................10
1 SYSTEM OVERVIEW
The Tsunami Warning System (TWS) designed by Envirtech is composed of the following main
subsystems:
• an Underwater Module (UM) to be installed at the sea bottom in open sea location for the
accurate measurement of the tide and the identification of anomalous conditions.
• a Surface Buoy (SB) moored close to the UM to receive via acoustic link the measurement
of UM to be transferred via satellite link to a Data Centre (DC) for visualization and
analysis.
• a Data Centre (DC) on land composed of hardware and software infrastructures for the
reception via satellite link of the data of SB and UM to be displayed, stored and analysed.
SATELLITE LINK
SB
DC
ACOUSTIC LINK
UM
The present document deals with the architectural, functional and performance specifications of
the Surface Buoy (SB).
Tsunami Warning System Code 20003-SPE-200.0
2 SB ARCHITECTURE
The Surface Buoy (SB) system proposed is a SPAR buoy. Spar buoy is characterized by a tall and
thin configuration. It floats upright in the water and it is characterized by a small water plane and a
large mass. This configuration tends to be a stable ocean platform. Adjustment of the water plane
area and the mass allows spar buoys to be tuned so they tend to not respond to wave forcing.
The Envirtech SB is composed of 3 main parts:
- a subsurface pole;
- a buoyant (cone + cylinder) in the middle;
- a turret on the top.
The main advantages of this configuration for the specific applications are the following:
- the lower pole provide a reliable mechanical support of the acoustic modem and related
cable: the acoustic transducer can be mounted at least at 5-6m water depth to get a
reliable acoustic link.
- The buoyant can host on the top in the central part the battery and electronic unit with
related connectors.
- The turret on the top allows to mount the solar panels, the satellite modems and additional
devices like WiFi interface, meteorological station, etc.
- The hydrodynamic of the buoy proposed in characterised by small tilt movements: this
allows to get a vertical stable platform to optimise the performances of the acoustic link
between the buoy and the underwater module to get the data related to the tide and
tsunami detection.
cd SB Architecture
SATELLITE
ELECTRONIC UNIT MODEM
HEADING &
TILT SENSOR METEOROLOGICAL
STATIONS
MOORING
LINE
BALLAST
Device/Component/Part Description
Mooring Line and Ballast A line composed of a synthetic ropes,
mechanical accessories and 4 tons metal block
to anchor the buoy.
This parts requires a specific design taking
into account the depth and the meteo-
marine conditions of the specific
installation site.
Envirtech can provide the mooring line with
related design and dynamical analysis
results.
Tsunami Warning System Code 20003-SPE-200.0
Buoy Frame with signaling devices A spar buoy equipped with the signaling
devices stated by IALA, IMO and IMA
standards and regulations.
It integrates mechanically all the parts listed
below in the present table.
Autonomous Power Supply Subsystem A power supply system composed of solar
panels, a battery charger with related control
electronic and a lead gel battery pack.
Electronic Unit An electronic system integrated in a water
proof case
Heading & Tilt Sensor A heading and tilt sensor to monitor the buoy
movement, integrated in the Electronic Unit.
This part is optional and not included in the
standard version
GPS Receiver A GPS receiver to monitor the buoy position at
sea integrated in the Satellite Modem
Surface Acoustic Modem An acoustic modem installed at least at 5-6m
under the buoy
Satellite Modem A satellite modem for the communication with
the Data Centre on land.
WLAN Modem A device providing a broadband data link with
the installation and maintenance ship
Meteorological Station A set of meteorological sensors (temperature,
humidity, pressure, wind speed and direction)
with related acquisition electronic.
This part is optional and non included in the
standard version
Drawings of the SB are reported hereinafter. It can be noted that the SB metal frame is equipped
with double supports for Satellite and Acoustic modems because on user request it is possible
to provide a redundant configuration. Anyway the standard version is without redundancy.
Tsunami Warning System Code 20003-SPE-200.0
3 SB FUNCTIONALITIES
4 TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
The specifications of the main components of the SB are reported in the following paragraphs.
The design depends to the installation site parameters and its water depth. It will be defined in the
detail design phase.
The mechanical drawing of the buoy is reported in pictures 2.2 and 2.3. It is a spar type buoy able
to remain stable in vertical position and to support Beaufort 11. The buoy body is composed of a
central steel pole and a foam body having a diameter of 1.45 m.
The buoy weight is 2000 kg with a buoyancy of 2750kg.
All metal parts are zinc protected and epoxy painted (Metco-System).
It is composed of 4 Solar Panel (Polycrystalline) 50W @12VDC each, and 4 Lead Gel
accumulators 110Ah @12VDC each. Each Solar panel has a dedicated charge controller to
optimise the efficiency of the whole system. The accumulators pack can supply the whole system
for more than 70 days in case of no sunny conditions.
Tsunami Warning System Code 20003-SPE-200.0
Technical specifications:
• Inmarsat-C Message System
• Built-In GPS Antenna (12 Channels)
• RS232 Protocol
• Message Transfer Rate: 600 bit/sec.
• Message size: Max. 10 Kbytes.
• Operating frequencies Rx: 1525.0 – 1559.0 MHz.*
Tx: 1626.5 – 1660.5 MHz.*
GPS: 1575.42 MHz.
5 SB COMPLIANT TABLE
ID Requirement Note
1 The buoy shall be spar type to minimize the tilt movements
with the sea waves
2 The system buoy + mooring line shall be able to support
Beaufort 11 of wind and sea wave conditions
3 Specific detailed design of the mooring line with related
dynamical analysis verification shall be provided for each
installation site.
4 The buoy shall be predisposed for a redundant configuration
of the electronic system and the communication system
(satellite and acoustic link)
5 The buoy shall have day and night signaling devices IALA
compliant with a focal plan at least at 3m over the sea level.
6 The buoy shall be equipped with a short range wireless
communication system useful for real time communication
with a Laptop from the installation and maintenance ship.