Smart Sound Connect Subsurface (SSCS)

A proving ground for subsea innovation
Smart Sound Connect Subsurface (SSCS) equipment: installing an underwater acoustic communications and navigation array
 
Led by the University of Plymouth, working in collaboration with Plymouth Marine Laboratory and City College Plymouth, the Smart Sound Connect Subsurface (SSCS) project will deliver a subsea testing environment in the heart of the South West.
Extending the existing infrastructure of Smart Sound Plymouth, the SSCS project is installing an underwater acoustic communications and navigation array that will enable real-time positioning and telemetry for trialling innovative technologies. Instrumented seabed nodes will also provide real-time monitoring of critical oceanographic factors (currents, waves) to provide a fully calibrated subsea testing environment.
Smart Sound Connect Subsurface (SSCS) logo
Using novel equipment supplied by our delivery partners, Sonardyne International Ltd, the array is rapidly deployable in a variety of configurations to suit trials requirements. The array of positioning and communications nodes will be capable of providing two-way telemetry and real-time navigation (to 1m accuracy) across an area of up to 9 square kilometres or a linear transect of up to 10 kilometres, with communications relayed to shore via the L4 autonomous buoy or uncrewed surface vessel.
SSCS brings together the world-leading expertise of the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marine Laboratory in the deployment and operation of novel marine technologies to deliver real-world intelligence in the coastal environment. Working together with City College Plymouth, SSCS will also deliver a marine technology 'skills escalator' to ensure that the future workforce is equipped with industry-relevant skills and experience.
Researchers on a vessel with testing equipment for Smart Sound Connect Subsurface (SSCS) project
Smart Sound Connect Subsurface (SSCS) equipment
 

Work with us

We are seeking additional R&D partners to collaborate with us in trialling the SSCS testing environment. Whether your interest is in testing new subsea vehicle operations, underwater data telemetry or any other use of the novel infrastructure, please contact Professor Alex Nimmo Smith to discuss how your organisation can join us in this pioneering marine technology project.

People

 
 

Related research

Celtic Sea floating offshore wind
Floating offshore wind solutions for Celtic Sea developers
Find out how our unrivalled technical capabilities and expertise can support the successful roll-out of floating offshore wind (FLOW) in the Celtic Sea
USV Cetus & Falcon Spirit
Marine autonomy
Explore how marine autonomy drives safe and sustainable exploitation of the growing global ocean economy
clean maritime 
Clean Maritime
Learn more about our trailblazing clean maritime innovation through research, partnerships and world-class facilities

Our facilities

Marine Station
Marine Station
Marine Station
Discover this exceptional facility, supporting teaching and research in marine, environmental science and engineering
Falcon Spirit
Our vessels
Our fully-equipped fleet of boats allows you to conduct world-class science
Maritime Simulation Laboratory
Maritime Simulation Laboratory
A world-leading facility for research and development in the marine field
 
 

Marine Institute

The University’s Marine Institute is the first and largest such institute in the UK.
We provide the external portal to our extensive pool of world-leading experts and state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to understand the relationship between the way we live, the seas that surround us and the development of sustainable policy solutions.
We are integrating our multidisciplinary expertise in marine and maritime research, education and innovation to train new scientists, engineers, policy-makers, artists, technicians and business managers of the future.
Marine Institute
Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy

Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy

In response to climate change imperatives, we are bringing together a critical mass of leading research and expertise from across the University of Plymouth. Through co-creation and collaboration with partners from business, government and key communities from across the globe, the Centre aims to be a beacon for the University’s whole-system transdisciplinary approach to solutions-oriented research, accelerating sustainable developments in decarbonisation and renewable energy.