WORKSHOP: Using AUVs for in-situ calibration of sensors onboard marine observatories
Quality assurance is one of the most important challenges of marine observatories. Data acquired around the globe are used to derive conclusions about climate changes, marine biodiversity, and general ocean health. This has a tremendous impact on public opinion, drives legislation and ultimately affects the life of a significant fraction of the worlds’ population. Most sensors used in long-term deployments require periodic calibration according to an estimated use pattern indicated by the manufacturer. The calibration process impacts the availability of data and may have significant operational costs, particularly in remotely located observatories. Is this presentation, we will discuss the possibility of using external sensors mounted on an autonomous underwater vehicles to estimate the sensors’ calibration parameters, by comparing the long-term behavior of their outputs. To verify the calibration of sensors deployed in deep seas, autonomous vehicles can be programmed to approach the observatory and stay in a close vicinity of the sensor. This requires the implementation of state estimation enabling precise localization and positioning, as well as novel guidance and control techniques that mitigate any bias/contamination set by the vehicle; for example, the use of hovering to avoid turbulence, and motor silencing to avoid the influence of cavitation on salinity and temperature.