Buoy Mesh Network Hack

A resource to help marine researchers create cheap and effective data collection devices

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Links:

1) http://buoymeshhack.tech - our .tech submission
2) https://github.com/srivishnupiratla/Bouy-Mesh-Network-Hack.tech - our .tech website's source code
3) https://github.com/srivishnupiratla/Buoy-Mesh-Hack-Code - They python code that the micro controllers run

Problem Statement and Proposed Solution

Currently, to monitor data from ocean probes and sensors out in the deep sea requires access to an expensive satellite transmission network such as Immersat. Along with having very slow transmission speeds, the amount of data collected is very low compared to the outrageous prices that using satellite internet costs.

'Buoy Mesh Hack' is a helpful System built for retrieving data from the ocean using sensors, transmitters, receivers, and buoys. Each buoy transmits data through the air to the surrounding buoys, creating a mesh network of data that eventually leads to a master tower situated on the mainland.

We are excited to present to you, 'Buoy Mesh Hack'. We hope this will enable researchers to be able to receive various data from the vast ocean as well as check for patterns throughout time at an affordable price.

The Idea

Mesh Networking is an easy way to extend the range of a particular signal. Because sensors that are far away from land cannot receive LTE signal, Mesh Networking is one of the only cost effective and scalable ways to communicate data over long distances.

The Buoy Mesh Network Hack works by using nodes to transmit data and pictures amongst devices themselves. This data can then be relayed back to a tower located on the mainland.

Components

Our project uses easily and cheaply source able parts to make collecting data from the sea easier. Here are the parts that you will need to build the Buoy Mesh Hack:

  • Raspberry Pi
  • Waterproof Tupperware Container
  • HD Webcam
  • 6V 2W Solar Pannel
  • 10,000Mah Battery Bank
  • Buoy
  • RFM69HCW Radio Tx/Rx
  • Your Desired Sensors
  • Hookup Wire to Connect Everything Together
  • USB Male to Contacts Plug
  • Micro USB cable
  • Micro USB to USB OTG Cable

You should be able to build this project for close to $75 or under per each Buoy. When you compare these to a commercial solution, this Buoy Mesh Network is much more value.

Setting up the hardware for this project is pretty easy, simply just connect each part depending on your specific part's documentation. This design is highly expandable and self explanatory for the most part.

The code and everything else can be found on this project's website, project.buoymeshhack.com

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