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Frontiers of Information Technology & Electronic Engineering >> 2018, Volume 19, Issue 11 doi: 10.1631/FITEE.1601843

Use of a coded voltage signal for cable switching and fault isolation in cabled seafloor observatories

State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China

Available online: 2019-01-02

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Abstract

Cabled seafloor observatories play an important role in ocean exploration for its long-term, real-time, and in-situ observation characteristics. In establishing a permanent, reliable, and robust seafloor observatory, a highly reliable cable switching and fault isolation method is essential. After reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of existing switching methods, we propose a novel active switching method for network configuration. Without additional communication path requirements, the switching method provides a way to communicate with a shore station through an existing power transmission path. A coded voltage signal with a distinct sequence is employed as the communication medium to transmit commands. The analysis of the maximum bit frequency of the voltage signals guarantees the accuracy of command recognition. A prototype based on the switching method is built and tested in a laboratory environment, which validated the functionality and reliability of the method.

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