Makers, developers, and electronic enthusiasts looking for a way to communicate with the Iridium satellite network may be interested in the new circuit board created by Maker Buoy. Their latest developer board offers a solar-powered GPS tracker providing communications with Iridium, due to its ability to be attached to a Feather form factor board. Adafruit has added it to its Feather list of components. The new Maker Buoy design is a significant advancement in oceanic IoT technology.
Origins and Evolution of Maker Buoy
“The idea for an Arduino-based drifting buoy arose from a fascination with the Internet of Things applied to the ocean. In 2016 we deployed an Arduino-based buoy with GPS and an Iridium transceiver off Norfolk, VA. Amazingly, that buoy lasted over two years and travelled over 9000 miles. Since then, several more capable buoys have been deployed and documented here. The current Maker Buoy design is a descendant of those earlier buoys, but smaller, cheaper, and easier to construct. This design is currently in use providing valuable information on ocean currents.”
The initial concept for Maker Buoy was driven by the potential of IoT to monitor and understand oceanic conditions. The first buoy, launched in 2016, demonstrated remarkable durability and range, covering over 9000 miles in two years. This success paved the way for more advanced iterations. The latest design is not only more compact and cost-effective but also easier to build, making it accessible to a broader range of enthusiasts and researchers.
Technical Specifications and Applications
For data transmission, the Maker Buoy design utilizes the Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD) service for worldwide service. Costs of the service are a monthly modem registration fee of $13/mo and $.06/message (50 Bytes) sent or received. This cost-effective communication method ensures that data can be transmitted from virtually anywhere on the globe, making it ideal for tracking ocean currents, monitoring environmental conditions, and conducting marine research.
The integration with the Feather form factor board allows for a modular and flexible design. Users can easily add additional sensors or components to customize their buoys for specific applications. For instance, researchers studying marine life could add sensors to monitor water temperature, salinity, and pH levels. Similarly, environmental agencies could use these buoys to track pollution levels or the movement of oil spills.
The solar-powered aspect of the Maker Buoy ensures long-term deployment without the need for frequent maintenance. Solar panels recharge the onboard batteries, allowing the buoy to operate continuously for extended periods. This feature is particularly beneficial for remote or hard-to-reach areas where regular maintenance would be challenging.
Moreover, the use of GPS technology enables precise tracking of the buoy’s location. This data can be invaluable for studying ocean currents and understanding how they affect climate patterns, marine ecosystems, and human activities. For example, tracking the movement of buoys can help scientists predict the spread of pollutants or the migration patterns of marine species.
The Maker Buoy represents a significant step forward in the application of IoT technology to marine research. Its combination of solar power, GPS tracking, and Iridium communication makes it a versatile and powerful tool for a wide range of applications. Whether you’re a hobbyist looking to explore the oceans or a researcher seeking to gather critical data, the Maker Buoy offers a reliable and cost-effective solution.
Source: Adafruit
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