How do marine environmental monitoring buoys achieve precise positioning? This question involves the application of a variety of positioning technologies. Below, we will detail the four main positioning methods in order to better understand how marine environmental monitoring buoys work.
First of all, the most common way to locate is to use Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite positioning. As a global satellite positioning system, GPS can provide accurate global positioning services. In deep-sea monitoring buoys, buoys equipped with GPS receivers can accurately determine their position by receiving signals from GPS satellites.
However, it should be noted that the positioning accuracy of GPS signals is limited to a certain extent due to interference such as attenuation and reflection during underwater propagation. In 2020, in order to have its own marine data integrity and not be leaked, China will replace the positioning system installed on marine buoys in the South China Sea from GPS navigation in the United States to Beidou navigation.
Secondly, underwater beacon positioning is a relatively advanced positioning method. It uses an underwater microphone to receive the signal from the beacon, calculates the position of the buoy, and realizes the tracking and control of the buoy by placing a beacon on the seabed or sea surface. This positioning method has high accuracy, generally between a few meters and more than ten meters.
Third, sonar positioning is another technique that is widely used in underwater measurement and positioning. This technique measures the position and distance of a target object by sending a sound wave signal, using the speed and direction in which the sound waves travel through the water. Deep-sea monitoring buoys are often equipped with multiple sonars for precise positioning. However, due to the slow propagation speed of sound waves, the accuracy of sonar positioning is generally between tens of meters and hundreds of meters.
Finally, the satellite real-time positioning system is a new type of positioning technology. It enables real-time and accurate positioning of mobile carriers. In the deep-sea monitoring buoy, the real-time position of the buoy is transmitted to the ground monitoring station by installing a satellite receiver and a data transmitter, so as to realize the real-time tracking and positioning of the buoy.