Interoperable and Modular System Architecture for Green-Energy Unmanned Surface Vehicles in Ocean Science

This article presents the open system architecture design of a modular electronic system used onboard unmanned surface vehicles. The developed solution enables this class of marine vehicles to accomplish marine research operations by ensuring safe long-endurance autonomous navigation as well as data gathering and transmission to shore. The onboard electronic system features modularity and scalability, making it easier to add navigational or scientific sensors, as well as to enhance software functionalities by adding new modules remotely. Our concept is currently field-tested on two wave-propelled and solar-powered surface vehicles equipped with multiple payloads, serving as in-situ sampling and data providers for oceanographers and biologists. The article describes the general system architecture and two different configurations in the two vessels that target phytoplankton and zooplankton, respectively.