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GPS and Seismic Stations
Contact
UNAVCO
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Boulder, CO 80301-5554
303-381-7500
Fax: 303-381-7501

http://www.unavco.org/polartechnology

Minna Bluff GPS prototype 2007
IMinna Bluff Protype GPS station MIN0
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System
Solar iconWind iconBattery icon Prototype stations developed as part of the Major Research Infrastructure (MRI) program of the National Science Foundation.  A moderately sized battery bank with charging from solar and wind provided nearly continuous year-round operation and communications during 2007.
Location Minna Bluff, Antarctica (78.650° S, 167.164° E)
South Pole, Antarctica
Description System Approach

To achieve major advances in addressing many compelling questions in polar geoscience, continuous recording of GPS and seismic data is required. Logistic expenses dictate that such systems operate unattended year-round, for multiple years. Since all such systems are deployed via light aircraft, there is a strong need to reduce system size and weight to minimize the number of flights for system installation.

To date the most common approach for powering stations during the polar winter has been large solar panel arrays and large banks of sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries. This approach has yielded success, however the size and weight of such systems still strains the limited logistical support available in the polar regions. Communications options for data retrieval are also limited at high latitudes. The UNAVCO and IRIS/PASSCAL facilities recently obtained NSF Major Research Infrastructure (MRI) funding for a three-year technology development effort, aimed at improving the power, communications, and mechanical design for remote permanent stations. This project involves close collaboration with Antarctic GPS and seismic scientists, and also seeks to draw on experience of the wider polar community. A new capability for year-round seismic and geodetic measurements at remote sites will meet longstanding polar and global geoscience goals that have previously been unattainable. A broader project goal is developing a modular power, communications, and structural system applicable to other instrumentation requiring up to 10 watts.

The 2006-07 austral summer was the first field season for this MRI project. In January/February 2007, six GPS and seismic prototype stations were installed in the Antarctic. Operating systems on the continental margin (high winds, moderate temperatures) presents fundamentally different design issues compared the polar plateau (extreme cold, moderate winds). A summary of two stations is presented here: the GPS prototype at Minna Bluff, and the seismic prototype at South Pole Station.

GPS Prototype

The Minna Bluff site was selected because it experiences extreme winds and rime icing. A GPS station was installed with two one-day visits using a Bell 212 helicopter and a three-person installation team. This station is powered by SLA batteries, solar panels, and one small wind turbine. Data retrieval is accomplished with an Iridium modem. Goals of this installation were:

  • A true field shakedown of the system mechanical design. Since this installation significant design advances have been made, and the hardware itself can now be installed in a one day trip

  • Observing system behavior during the polar winter. This system was intentionally underpowered so that its winter shutdown and spring startup performance can be assessed.

  • Testing a wind turbine under the harsh conditions found along the Antarctic continental margin. Since the performance of a system powered by solar panels and SLA batteries is known, the additional lifetime provided by the wind turbine will yield a definitive measure of its performance.

Seismic Prototype

The Minna Bluff site was selected because it experiences extreme winds and rime icing. A GPS station was installed with two one-day visits using a Bell 212 helicopter and a three-person installation team. This station is powered by SLA batteries, solar panels, and one small wind turbine. Data retrieval is accomplished with an Iridium modem. Goals of this installation were:

  • Testing power delivery performance of lithium-ion battery packs in extreme cold. These battery packs possess and extremely high power density and superior cold performance compared to SLA types, however they are very expensive and not rechargeable. Currently, the lithium-ion batteries have performed as expected, delivering significant power output at plateau temperatures.

  • Evaluating vacuum-panel insulation to maintain acceptable temperatures inside electronics enclosures. The seismic electronics will not operate in extreme cold, however they produce very little heat (~ 1-2 watts). Thus, thermal management is a critical issue for seismic installations on the plateau.

  • Testing cold performance of seismic sensors.
South Pole Seismic prototype station South Pole Seismic Prototype Station
Left to right: Jason Stauch (S. Pole Research Associate), Bruce Beaudoin (PASSCAL), Tim Parker (PASSCAL)
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Data Additional information about the MRI project and details of the technology used by UNAVCO in GPS polar permanent stations:
http://www.unavco.org/polartechnology

The UNAVCO/PASSCAL MRI project proposal:
http://www.unavco.org/pubs_reports/proposals/2006/PolarMRI.pdf

The IRIS/PASSCAL seismic facility:
http://www.passcal.nmt.edu

The POLENET project, which will deploy networks of GPS and seismic permanent stations in the Antarctic and Arctic:
http://www.polenet.org
Comms An Iridium transceiver provided data reporting.