Running Head: ARDUINO-BASED OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTRUMENTS 1 Arduino Based Oceanographic Instruments: an Implementation Strategy
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Running Head: ARDUINO-BASED OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTRUMENTS 1 Arduino Based Oceanographic Instruments: An Implementation Strategy for Low-Cost Sensors Daniel P. Langis California State Maritime Academy ARDUINO-BASED OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTRUMENTS 2 Abstract Oceanographic instruments are expensive, yet essential tools for conducting research on critical environmental processes. Modern trends in technological advancement and inexpensive electronics would suggest that oceanographic instruments should be becoming cheaper; however, low-cost instruments are not yet a reality. This paper describes an implementation strategy and justification for a new form of low-cost instruments using Arduino-based microcontrollers. It describes present-day instruments and methods, the need for low-cost sensors, and barriers which have thus far prevented low-cost instruments from being realized. It also details the unique advantages of the Arduino platform which make it an ideal candidate for reducing costs and suggests how to capitalize on its open source design and flexibility. Particular attention is paid to providing a holistic approach towards reducing life-cycle costs at all stages of planning, development, and operation. This strategy may be used as a baseline and unifying vision for any oceanographic research institution(s) wishing to develop low-cost instruments and reap the benefits of expanding research opportunities. Keywords: Oceanography, instruments, sensors, low-cost, Arduino, life-cycle cost ARDUINO-BASED OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTRUMENTS 3 Arduino Based Oceanographic Instruments: An Implementation Strategy for Low-Cost Sensors The oceans and their resources are major determinants of the global climate, state of the environment, and economic productivity of nations across the globe – a 2012 study estimated that if human impacts on the ocean continue unabated, declines in ocean health and services will cost the global economy $428 billion per year by 2050, and $1.979 trillion per year by 2100. Alternatively, steps to reduce these impacts could save more than a trillion dollars per year by 2100, reducing the cost of human impacts to $612 billion (Virginia Institute of Marine Science). Oceanographic studies are necessary to understand the scope and nature of potential impacts. Those studies are heavily reliant on the measurement and collection of data from a variety of sensors and observation platforms. Characteristics such as water temperature, salinity, depth, currents, fluorescence, photosynthetic radiation, and pH are all used to monitor and predict the health and productivity of the oceans. One of the major cruxes in oceanography is how to collect accurate measurements and sample water from extremely remote, hostile environments. “The ocean is the most complex, challenging, and harsh environment on Earth and accessing it requires specially designed tools and technology” (NOAA, 2013). Traditional methods have relied on robust, precise instruments which are often deployed on elaborate mooring systems from a research vessel – a prospect which is both expensive and dangerous. Recent advances in technology, such as satellite observations and remotely operated vehicles, have already proven great alternatives to traditional methods for many applications (National Ocean Council, 2011), but many programs are still dependent on bulky and expensive instrumentation for the backbone of their data collection. ARDUINO-BASED OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTRUMENTS 4 Due to the dramatic reduction in size and cost of electronic components, there is great hope on the horizon for redefining how instruments are produced and utilized in the field. To many, it seems that the industry is on the cusp of a revolution which could decrease costs of collecting certain data by orders of magnitude. With the remarkable developments and products made in land-based electronics such as cell phones and computers, one might expect the revolution to be at hand. There is hope that a miraculous solution will appear which will provide an immediate low-cost solution to the myriad challenges of technological innovation and collecting data in ocean environments. An ideal solution would integrate a suite of highly accurate sensors into a miniaturized package and be available at very low cost. Despite the optimistic perspective, a survey of the actual available products would suggest that very few ultra-low-cost solutions have actually been developed. A host of reasons exist for the stagnation in what could be a potentially ground-breaking arena for innovation. A number of the major obstacles preventing ultra-low-cost oceanographic instruments from being produced are listed below. This list is neither exhaustive nor absolute, but is provided to illuminate a few of the central challenges that this document and implementation strategy are intended to address and overcome. 1. Many individuals have made attempts at portions of ultra-low-cost sensor development (such as conducting studies on individual low-cost sensors) but little work has been done to propose an end-to-end solution that would make them a reality. A complete solution must consider how to integrate complex issues such as product development, data quality, testing, calibration, maintenance, and user interaction – all while driving down total cost (Blanchard, 2008, p.10). ARDUINO-BASED OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTRUMENTS 5 2. The instrumentation industry is dominated by a limited number of commercial companies who have a strong hold on the market. Those companies create first-rate products and do provide reliable end-to-end solutions for the issues above. Although expensive, the costs for oceanographic instruments are incorporated into budgets as the price of conducting research; programs also have large amounts of capital already invested in instruments. These factors reduce pressure and create a justifiable reluctance to develop and adopt new technologies. 3. Organizational processes and traditions are very hard to change. The adoption of any revolutionary practice may redefine processes, alter job responsibilities, and create internal disruptions which require significant organizational change. The development of ultra-low-cost sensors must also consider how the technology will be utilized and provide time and recommendations for adopting new processes. The implementation strategy that follows justifies using ‘Arduino’ based electronics as the foundation for low-cost instrumentation. The Arduino is an open-source electronics platform, intended for making interactive projects (Arduino, n.d.). Although inexpensive and modest in appearance, it is substantively capable of driving the functions of complex oceanographic instruments. Additionally, the opportunities resulting from open-source design, modularity, customization, and cost reduction would make it ideal for the challenges faced in oceanography. Significant discussion is given to exactly how and why the foundation for this platform should be established, what types of applications it is best suited for, and how to approach future product development. Oceanographic research institutions such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, and the Scripps Institute of Oceanography ARDUINO-BASED OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTRUMENTS 6 are likely to be the immediate beneficiaries of this implementation strategy. It can provide a unifying vision and direction for the development of a branch of technology which can be shared across institutions. Individual laboratories and programs within those institutions would then be able to adapt and customize these technologies for specific projects. The creation of ultra-low-cost sensors has the opportunity to provide a dramatic impact on the environment, commercial industries, and the economy as a whole. Reducing instrument costs by some order of magnitude has the potential to improve monitoring of the climate, generate new models, improve forecasting, and enhance our ability to responsibly manage our planet’s resources. Literature Review Present-Day Platforms and Methods In order to understand how low-cost instruments may be developed and applied in oceanography, one must first consider the current methods of data acquisition and the fundamental strengths and weaknesses of the various approaches. The National Academy of Science’s Committee on an Ocean Infrastructure Strategy published a document in addressing the Critical Infrastructure for Ocean Research and Societal Needs in 2030. The document posed major research questions, addressed technology trends, and set broad strategic goals for how technology and infrastructure will be applied specifically to oceanography in the next two decades (2011). A number of these trends are summarized below. Ships. Traditional oceanography relied on research vessels equipped with sophisticated instrumentation to conduct in-situ measurements or sampling and deploy mooring systems to monitor remote environments. Ships have distinct advantages as mobile, adaptable platforms, but are remarkably expensive. According to the National Ocean Council’s Federal ARDUINO-BASED OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTRUMENTS 7 Oceanographic Fleet Status Report (2013, p. 20), “Federal agencies are facing numerous challenges associated with cost-effectively operating and maintaining the Fleet” of oceanographic vessels. Fuel costs have increased some 400% since 2003, aging vessels require higher maintenance costs, personnel costs for salaries and training are increasing, and new safety and environmental standards are becoming more