Real-time reporting and internet-accessible coastal sea-level gauge

Abstract

Development and deployment of real-time reporting and internet-accessible coastal sea-level gauge is described, wherein data communication between the gauge and an internet server is implemented through cellular modem utilizing General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology. By using a microcontroller and existing cellular phone network, a continuous connection to the Internet is realized on a web-server for real-time update of coastal sea-level. The system implemented presents to the internet viewer a graphical illustration of the predicted fair-weather sea-level, the current sea-level, and the residual sea-level (i.e., measured minus predicted sea level), thereby providing the much needed capability for alert and warning in the event of coastal oceanogenic disasters such as storm surges and tsunamis