Systems and methods for transmitting data from an underwater station

A method for communicating data payload from an underwater location to a surface location, comprising:

• receiving, at a submerged data capsule, the data payload from an underwater station, wherein the submerged data capsule includes a communication interface and a data storage unit, and is attached to the underwater station;
• detaching the submerged data capsule from the underwater station, and allowing the submerged data capsule to ascend to a first surface location;
• propelling, using a propulsion unit attached to the submerged data capsule, the submerged data capsule into the atmosphere to a height above the first surface location, wherein the propulsion unit remains attached to the submerged data capsule while propelling the submerged data capsule to the height above the first surface location;
• transmitting, using the communication interface, from the height above the first surface location, the data payload to a second surface location, wherein a data rate for communicating the data payload between the underwater location and the second surface location increases linearly with a size of the data payload, wherein the capsule is detached from the underwater station when transmitting the data payload to the second surface location.

A system for communicating data from an underwater location to a surface location, comprising:

• a capsule having a communication interface and a data storage unit for receiving and communicating the data from an underwater station at the underwater location, wherein the capsule is configured to attach with the underwater station when receiving the data, and detach from the underwater station and float to a first surface location when transmitting the data and wherein the capsule is attached to a propulsion unit for propelling the capsule from the first surface location to a height above the first surface location, and the capsule remains attached to the propulsion unit while propelled to the height above the first surface location;
• and
• a power generation unit attached to the capsule for generating electrical power from surface waves at the first surface location;
• wherein the communication interface is configured to establish a communication link between the capsule and a second surface location, and
• wherein a data rate for communicating the data between the underwater location and the second surface location increases linearly with a size of the data.

A system for communicating data from an underwater location to a surface location, comprising:

• a capsule having a radio transceiver and a data storage unit for receiving and communicating the data from underwater station at the underwater location at 1000 m below sea level,
• wherein the capsule is configured to attach with the underwater station when receiving the data, and detach from the underwater station and float to a first surface location when transmitting the data, wherein the capsule is attached to a propulsion unit for propelling the capsule into the atmosphere to a height above the first surface location,
• wherein the propulsion unit remains attached to the capsule while propelling the capsule to the height above the first surface location, wherein when at the height above the first surface location, the transceiver is configured to establish a communication link to a second surface location,
• wherein a data rate for communicating between 4.608 MB and 18.432 MB between the underwater location at a depth of about 1000 m and the second surface location is between 140 Kbps and 560 Kbps, and wherein the data rate increases linearly with a size of the data.

A system for communicating a data payload from an underwater location to a surface location, comprising:

• a capsule having a communication unit and a data storage unit for receiving and communicating the data payload from an underwater station at the underwater location,
• wherein the capsule is configured to attach with the underwater station when receiving the data payload, and detach from the underwater station and float to a first surface location when transmitting the data payload,
• wherein the capsule is attached to a propulsion unit for propelling the capsule into the atmosphere to a height above the first surface location,
• wherein the propulsion unit remains coupled attached to the capsule while propelling the capsule to the height above the first surface location, wherein when at the height above the first surface location, the communication unit is configured to establish a communication link and transmit the data payload to a second surface location wherein a data rate for communicating the data payload between the underwater location and the second surface location increases linearly with a size of the data payload.