FIRST UNIVERSAL SMART CABLE DEPLOYED AT ONC NEPTUNE

Global First, Innovative Low-Power Solution Now Operational, Delivering Real-Time Data for Tsunami and Earthquake Monitoring

Subsea Data Systems is pleased to announce that the first universal Science Monitoring and Reliable Telecommunications (SMART) Cable sensor system is deployed and transmitting real-time geophysical data. Developed with initial funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation and continued financial support from Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, the SMART Cable sensor system is poised to transform global tsunami and earthquake early warning, protect critical telecommunications infrastructure, and supply essential ocean data. Installed at Ocean Networks Canada’s NEPTUNE Observatory Cascadia node, the system represents the first adaptable solution that works across all types of subsea telecom cables.

The differentiator in the emerging SMART Cable market is Subsea Data Systems’ (SDS) universal design. While other solutions are tailored to specific infrastructure, high capital expense, and significant power consumption, the universal SDS system can be installed on repeatered telecommunications cables, unrepeatered cables, and purpose-built cable systems. The revolutionary design allows the entire range of telecom owner/operators, government agencies, and research facilities to leverage SMART Cable technology.

“This installation marks a pivotal moment in how we envision SMART Cable technology,” said Dr. Matt Fouch, president of Subsea Data Systems (www.subseadatasystems.com). “We’ve demonstrated that comprehensive ocean and cable monitoring can be integrated into telecommunications infrastructure at a fraction of the current cost and complexity. This opens the door to a global network of financially accessible, cable-based sensors that provide real-time data, potentially saving countless lives in vulnerable coastal communities worldwide, while simultaneously protecting critical information infrastructure and providing indispensable scientific data.”

The technical innovation behind the universal design enables unprecedented flexibility in deployment options, leveraging a deep history of collaborative engineering. “Collaborations with Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) to deploy a global first for SMART, years after helping develop NEPTUNE, is a defining moment,” said Steve Lentz, chief technology officer at Subsea Data Systems. “ONC’s extensive resources and experience accelerated our development and enabled this pilot project as we tackle SMART Cable challenges – from sensor design and data acquisition to network communications, power supply, and data management.”

Ocean Networks Canada successfully deployed the system in September 2025 using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), integrating it into their world-leading cabled ocean observatory infrastructure. Following several months of comprehensive testing, calibration, and data validation, the system is demonstrating exceptional performance.

“The NEPTUNE Observatory provides an ideal platform for testing next-generation ocean technologies,” said Benoît Pirenne, chief innovation officer at ONC (www.oceannetworks.ca). “This groundbreaking development showcases how telecommunications and science infrastructure can converge to create powerful new capabilities for understanding earthquakes and ocean processes. The successful collaboration between Ocean Networks Canada, Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, and Subsea Data Systems demonstrates what can be achieved when research infrastructure, strategic funding, and innovative engineering come together.”

The development and deployment of the SMART Cable sensor system was made possible through funding from Schmidt Marine Technology Partners (www.schmidtmarine.org), which supports the development of transformative ocean technologies. “Subsea cables cover the globe, representing a massive, untapped opportunity for earthquake, tsunami, and scientific monitoring of the global ocean environment,” said Dr. Erika Montague, chief technologist at Schmidt Marine Technology Partners. “This system demonstrates that we can instrument these critical communication pathways with sophisticated sensors without compromising their primary mission. It’s an elegant solution to the very complex problem of ocean observing.”

Dr. Bruce Howe, professor at University of Hawai`i at Manoa and Chair of the SMART Cables Joint Task Force, highlighted the broader significance of this achievement: “This deployment represents a major step forward for the global SMART Cable initiative. The development of a sensor system that works across all cable types, repeatered, unrepeatered, and purpose-built, is the kind of innovation we need to realize our vision of comprehensive ocean sensor coverage. With hundreds of thousands of kilometers of submarine cables spanning the world’s oceans, instrumenting even a fraction of this infrastructure will transform our ability to monitor earthquakes, tsunamis, and ocean conditions globally.”

The Subsea Data Systems SMART Cable solution includes Silicon Audio Seismic’s (www.siaudio.com) unique Omnitilt switchable seismometer/accelerometer, providing high-frequency broadband seismic data. The system also includes a Paroscientific absolute pressure transducer and a Sea-Bird temperature recorder. A broad range of other sensors are also available for incorporation due to SDS’s modular system design. The system is currently operational and transmitting real-time data to the U.S. National Science Foundation’s National Geophysical Facility. Temperature and pressure data will also be available in ONC’s open-access Oceans 3.0 data management system. Once commissioning is complete, all data will be publicly available via both data portals.

Subsea Data Systems is advancing deployments with telecommunications providers, national agencies, and international organizations across multiple applications. Organizations interested in integrating SMART Cable technology into their subsea cable systems are encouraged to contact the company to discuss implementation pathways and partnership opportunities.