Fiber optic deep sea telemetry opens new windows to the very remote deep sea regions, which cover 50% of the earth's surface. A novel and low cost system using analogue and digital fiber optic data transfers was installed on the German RV "SONNE" on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBW) in November 1995. The telemetry comprises 3-5 colour TV channels of 10 MHz bandwidth each. Up to 16 digital data channels provide for 19.2 kbit/s each. The bidirectional transfer is made at 1310/1550 nm wavelength in a monomode stepped index fiber with a 9 /spl mu/m core and a 125 pm cladding. The glassfiber runs in a coaxial copper cable which transfers power at 1000 VAC, 1.3 A, used for illumination. Preliminary performance from test cruises in 1995/96 and upgrade opportunities of this cost effective system are shown as well as the full scale potential of an all digital, high data rate (GBit/s) system and its applications, in deepsea environments and beyond.
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