EMERGING, TRANSFORMATIVE TECHNOLOGY
SMART CABLES
SMART cable technology development is an emerging area of scientific research utilizing a sensor network that is integrated into a submarine fiber optic cable (SFOC) system to collect scientific data. This near-real time monitoring can have a transformative effect on understanding and planning related to climate change, sea level rise, ocean warming, earthquakes and tsunamis.
SMART cables represent a collaborative effort between the scientific community, telecommuncations experts, SFOC suppliers, and other parties interested in expanding environmental monitoring capabilities.
What are SMART Cables?
Video: 1 Minute
Listening to the Ocean Floor
Climate change, sea level rise, marine modeling, early warnings - just a few transformative applications of SMART cable technology.
Latest News
SMART Cable to Antarctica - Public Release Version of the GBS Comprehensive Desktop Study is now live online. READ MORE
Polar Data Forum. GBS Poster Presentation, "Getting SMART About Polar Research: Enhancing Subsea Telecommunications Infrastructure to Meet the Needs of the Scientific Community." Rewatch SMART Cables and the Southern Ocean >
GBS is pursuing SMART Cable initiatives prioritizing
Environmental Responsibility | Technological Advancement |Scientific Research
GBS is pursuing SMART Cable initiatives prioritizing
Environmental Responsibility | Technological Advancement |Scientific Research
What are SMART Cables?
SMART Cables are an exciting emerging technology where environmental sensors are placed on the repeaters throughout a submarine cable system to collect important information.
SMART Cables are instrumental for early tsunami warnings, tracking seismic activity, and for monitoring other key oceanographic climate conditions and changes.
Direct Link to "7 Important Considerations" Flipbook: media.gbs1.com/smart_cable_dts_considerations
RECENT NEWS: Public Release Version of the Desktop Study Now Live Online
GBS Leads First Desktop Study for a SMART Cable System to Antarctica
GBS Leads First Desktop Study for a SMART Cable System to Antarctica
Bridging Technology, Science and Industry
Antarctica is an exciting frontier with many environmental, biological, and geological discoveries yet to be made; it is also a technological frontier as it is the only remaining continent without submarine fiber optic communications, relying on low-bandwidth satellite for information transmission.
The addition of a new SMART cable system could open a world of scientific discovery and international engagement.
GBS is pleased to support the U.S. National Science Foundation's objective to explore the feasiblity of a SMART cable system to McMurdo Research Station to further research and communications for the U.S. Antarctic program.
Access the NSF Abstract and the Public Release Version of the Desktop Study
A COMPREHENSIVE DESKTOP STUDY Exploring the Feasibility of a Science Monitoring And Reliable Telecommunications (SMART) Fiber Optic Cable System Connecting ANTARCTICA - AUSTRALIA - NEW ZEALAND.
Direct link to flipbook below: media.gbs1.com/antarctica_dts
Summary Doc: Antarctica Desktop Study project.
Direct link to Summary Doc: media.gbs1.com/antarctica_summary
More News on the Antarctica Project
Listening to the Ocean Floor
"SMART" sensors are placed on undersea cable repeaters and send a continual stream of information about ocean pressure, temperature, acceleration, etc. to specific observatories for observation and analysis. Scientists are able to monitor climate changing forces and read key early warning signals for impending disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes.
In 2017, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA) put forth the US Tsunami Warning Act calling for the “integration of tsunami sensors into Federal and commercial submarine telecommunication cables.” This partnership is designed to leverage existing technologies and provide critical insights regarding climate change, ocean rise and disaster warnings.
With millions of miles of submarine cables criss-crossed across the oceans of the world, SMART cables are a unique opportunity for science and telecom to join forces and have a greater understanding of the complex forces of nature.
More About SMART Cables
Submarine Fiber Optic Cable (SFOC) systems are advanced and specially designed optical telecommunications systems that traverse oceans and seas. Equipping SFOCs with SMART repeaters creates a unique opportunity to collect data directly from the ocean floor.
To bring this concept to fruition, the international Joint Task Force of three United Nations agencies – the International Telecommunication Union, the World Meteorological Organization and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (ITU/WMO/IOC-UNESCO JTF), established in 2012, is working towards incorporating environmental monitoring sensors into trans-oceanic submarine cable systems.
SFOCs of such lengths require an optical amplifier called a “Repeater” at fixed distances along the cable route to amplify the optical signal during its long journey. These distances can range from 80 km to 120 km, that’s about 50 to 75 miles, depending upon the overall capacity of the SFOC.
The TSUNAMI WARNING, EDUCATION, AND RESEARCH ACT OF 2017 (TWERA) authorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to consider integrating environmental observing technologies, such as SMART cables, into the United States tsunami warning system.
By adding environmental sensors to Repeaters, we could monitor the weather on the sea floor and forecast environmental threats such as tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes and other natural phenomena that affects lives, property, sea life and climate. This has the potential to be an early warning system.
TWERA proposes integrating tsunami sensors into commercial and Federal undersea telecommunications cables as a cost-effective solution for the NOAA to explore.
Tsunami waves often arrive less than thirty minutes after offshore earthquakes. Within that window is an opportunity for business, government, and science to mergeto develop beneficial solutions, like SMART Cables, for the saving of lives and habitats.
Typical tsunami early warnings only offer about 6 minutes of repsonse time. With SMART cables, it's estimated that increment could increase to one hour - meaning a signifcant time to alert at-risk communities.
There are many applications for SMART CABLES, including: emerging technologies such as modeling, remote sensing, geospatial technology, engineering and observing systems - including the integration of tsunami sensors.
SMART cables can transform data collection, allowing for near-real time environmental monitoring, early warning notifications for earthquake and tsunami areas, and planning and implementation of disaster mitigation efforts.
Inquire about GBS current SMART cable projects in development.
GBS SMART Cable Poster Presentation for the Polar Data Forum 2023 Event
GBS is pleased to participate in the 2023 Polar Data Forum with a SMART cable poster presentation:
Getting SMART About Polar Research:
Enhancing Subsea Telecommunications Infrastructure to Meet the Needs of the Scientific Community
Collaboration is key to the success of SMART cables. Individuals and organizations (such as Bruce Howe at University of Hawaii, NOAA, etc.) have built a foundation for SMART cable development. At GBS we see ourselves as an industry partner – who understand the necessary infrastructure to design, build, install and maintain cable systems. GBS is seeking partnerships in support of meeting the needs of the science community through our expertise in subsea cable systems.
GBS SMART Cable Partners
Trusted Partner:
Bruce Howe, PhD: Research Professor, Department of Ocean and Resources Engineering: School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) • UH Mānoa
Research & Development:
Matt Fouch, Steve Lentz, Subsea Data Systems
