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June 2010

September 20-24, 2010

ICES Annual Science Conference 2010

The ICES Annual Science Conference 2010 hopes to attract outstanding papers from world-renowned researchers, for presentation in the 19 theme sessions....

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Wireless Comms Through Ice

07/16/2010

WFS Technologies and Kongsberg Maritime Subsea have reportedly completed successful field trials of wireless communication through ice. The trials conducted during February/March 2010 in Horten, Norway, demonstrated wireless communication from sea water, through-ice and into the air using radio frequency (RF) technology. Field trial observations matched theoretical simulations and WFS predicts it can achieve communications through meters of ice and then up to 1km in air. Wireless communications with AUVs and sensors under ice is a breakthrough that is anticipated to deliver substantial cost savings in environmental monitoring, exploration and production activities the world’s ice regions of Canada, the USA, Scandinavia, and Russia.
The trials are part of collaboration between WFS and Kongsberg Maritime to develop a wireless system for location of and communication with the HUGIN AUV in ice conditions. The $2.3m, two-year project will deliver the world’s first wireless, through-ice wireless location and communication system.
The through-ice radio location system will enable a surface vessel, a helicopter or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to communicate with and locate an AUV under the ice at up to 1km range, and will be a key component in removing risk of under-ice AUV operations.