Sea Trials
During the course of the project there will be three sea trials:
Trial 1 [look here for a description]
June 2001
Location: Westerschelde shipping lane
Objectives:
- To determine characteristics of the environment in the Westerschelde shipping lane, that define the limiting factors for an Underwater Acoustic Communication link (noise spectra, frequency and time spreading).
- To collect an environmental data set (sound speed profiles, bathymetry, sediment properties) to be able to use software for acoustic propagation prediction in a later stage of the project.
- To determine the usability and limitations of the existing modems in the Westerschelde.
Trial 2 [look here for a description]
September 2002
Location: Baie de Douarnenez
Objectives:
The second trial has the objective to test and evaluate the network under realistic conditions, and in different configurations. The environmental conditions will be constantly measured to understand the characteristics of the acoustic channel and with this knowledge explain the results of the tests. The emphasis of these trials will be on the network protocols.
Trial 3
Summer 2003
Location: Westerschelde shipping lane
The final experiment in the Westerschelde shipping lane constitutes the main benchmark problem for the ACME project. The objectives of the final trials are:
- To test and evaluate the whole prototype network in a configuration defined to meet end-users needs, which means under realistic conditions (use of real sensors and of a radio dispatching system, noise environment, shipping activity) during a long period (several weeks).
- To check the compliance with user requirements.
- To synthesise and finalise all the conclusions and findings out of the ACME project, which will be part of the final reporting.
The objectives coexist with the scientific objectives of the ACME project.