RBR is pleased to announce an exciting collaboration with global subsea communication experts Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) and seismic instrumentation leaders Nanometrics for the development of advanced innovative solutions as part of ASN’s Climate Change Solution. This collaboration sets a new benchmark for subsea cable technology, combining cutting-edge innovations and unparalleled expertise for the Scientific Monitoring and Reliable Telecommunications (SMART) cable market.
ASN, with an existing installed base of over 800000km of optical submarine cables worldwide, selected RBR as a leader in precision environmental sensors with a proven track record of over 50 years. A specialised team at RBR worked closely with ASN engineers to develop and refine the simplicity of the system provided, which is based on our well-proven BPR|zero technology.
The custom variant of the existing BPR|zero, intended for submarine cable usage, has been miniaturised and also ruggedised in order to handle the extreme environment experienced during normal cable-laying ship deployments. The system is intended to be housed adjacent to a normal repeater housing and used with a simplified interface with a minimal command set.
All components are tested to far greater than normal operating cycles, given the intended harsh deployment conditions and 25-year undersea life requirement, but still provide the same A-zero-A drift correction as the elder sibling whose output has a resolution of 10ppb (1Hz sampling period) and is, therefore, suitable for tsunami monitoring and subsidence detection.
Greg Johnson, President of RBR, stated: “This is another example where the proven technology and in-house expertise of the team at RBR, leads to innovative and comprehensive solutions for our end clients. Working closely with the team at ASN during development has been key in the successful outcome of the first phase of the project, and we look forward to this collaboration developing further to deliver additional SMART solutions.”
ASN is contracted to design, manufacture, and deploy two pioneering SMART cable projects with deployment scheduled for 2026. These SMART cable systems will not only enhance underwater data connectivity but also provide critical realtime monitoring of seismic, tsunami, and environmental events.
For more details on the project, visit ASN or contact info@rbr-global.com.