Full document
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Jmd5uG2I8OA-vu...

Github repo
https://github.com/lucascog/penguinfy

Penguinfy
Oceanic Internet via low cost adaptive mesh system

Abstract

Penguinfy is a low cost adaptive oceanic internet and intranet platform that utilizes the Penguinfy modular nodes to create a mesh network with disruption tolerant networking architecture, assisted with an array of modular plug & play sensors, all overseen by a standalone software that, with the assistance of NASA datasets, provides its own communication services, weather reports, and hazard alerts for its users. The high costs of use, deployment and maintenance of current offshore communication services inspired the creation of Penguinfy, delivering an array of free and low cost solutions for the offshore maritime environment.

Introduction

Penguinfy represents our team’s take on the Internet on the Earth’s Ocean challenge.

The exponential growth of the maritime industry created a high demand of communication services on offshore locations due to the high costs of current satellite and dial up services, and the high costs of the hardware associated with it, which alienate a vast number of users.

Using the wifi technology + disruption tolerant network architecture + mesh technology set by arduino based nodes, Penguinfy creates an offshore intranet that, with the Penguinfy standalone software, provides the following free services: text based and push to talk communication services, weather updates and hazard reports. Penguinfy nodes will also serve as a bridge to optional satellite connections but to a lower cost of access due to the elimination of the need of expensive satellital hardware.

All the paid services of Penguinfy will be handled with Penguinfy Duffle Coins, the system’s own currency, that can be purchased and earned by its users by sharing their own internet connection with other Penguinfy users available on their current mesh. Also, Penguinfy users equipped with Satellite access can provide ad-hoc connection to other uses and earn revenue for it.

Originally conceptualized as an autonomous buoy network, Penguinfy became an adaptive node that can be deployed on the following environments: embarcations, oil rigs, remote islands, offshore buoys and traveling buoys manufactured with recycled components.

The utilization of solar cells make the Penguinfy nodes completely independent of the selected environment, if needed.

With the addition of modular sensors, the Penguinfy nodes will recollect a vast amount of data that, with the aid of Nasa data sets, will provide accurate information about weather, currents, contamination, ph Levels, Oxigen and potential hazards, all valuable data that will be used by the users utilizing the Penguinfy service.

Taking in consideration the system’s environmental impact, Penguinfy aims to utilize recycled materials for the node’s case and the traveling buoy module, which has its own recovery protocol for repurposing of defective equipment.