NEXOS
Next generation, Cost-effective, Compact, Multifunctional Web Enabled Ocean Sensor Systems Empowering Marine, Maritime and Fisheries Management
As stated in the 'Ostend Declaration' in 2010, a major challenge of the European
Union and its Member and Associated States is to support the development of a truly
integrated and sustainably funded European Ocean Observing System. This should be
achieved with long-term measurements of key parameters but is currently impaired
by the costs and lack of reliability of ocean sensors in general. The NeXOS project
aims to improve the temporal and spatial coverage, resolution and quality of marine
observations through the development of cost-efficient innovative and interoperable
in-situ sensors deployable from multiple platforms, and Web Services for key domains
and applications. |
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The project will develop new, low-cost, compact
and integrated sensors with multiple functionalities
including the measurement of key
parameters useful to a number of objectives,
ranging from more precise monitoring and modelling
of the marine environment to an improved
assessment of fisheries. Seven new compact,
cost-efficient sensors will be developed, based
on optical and acoustics technologies, addressing
a majority of descriptors identified by the
Marine Strategy Framework Directive for Good
Environmental Status. Two of the new sensors | will specifically contribute to the Common
Fisheries Policy with variables relevant for an
Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries. New sensors
will respond to multiplatform integration, sensor
and data interoperability, quality assurance and
reliability requirements. These will be specified
for each new sensor system. All new sensors
will be calibrated, integrated on several types
of platforms, scientifically validated and demonstrated.
One of the main objectives of NeXOS
will finally be to enhance the competitiveness of
European SMEs in the ocean sensor market. |
To this end, sensor requirements and specifications
will be assessed at an early phase of the project
for market penetration. NeXOS has broad scope since the needs of the maritime community are wide ranging. A systems engineering approach will thus be used to adequately manage the complexity of the work, which requires a 4-year project lifetime. This leaves three years for development of the sensor systems, and sufficient time for validation and demonstration afterwards. This time span also allows for possible contingency planning that will be developed as part of a specific work-package. |
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