ReefGrid - a communication network on the great barrier reef

The future protection of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) will rely on enhanced monitoring of key environment parameters and human activity on the reef. To achieve this goal will require the establishment of a high speed radio communication backbone between individual reef systems and back to the Australian mainland. This paper investigates the feasibility of implementing a microwave radio communication network across the GBR. The optimum frequency and antenna height needed to use the evaporation duct that forms above the ocean for beyond the horizon propagation is investigated. The model used for this investigation is based on parabolic equation method (PEM) simulation software using standard statistical environmental data. The reliability of over ocean radio propagation links is also studied In this case, environment data measured for the GBR region is employed in the PEM software to obtain the predicted link outage rates. Finally, the paper comments on the suitability of this analysis and other factors which might effect the performance of this network.