Accessories PUCK
PUCK
PUCK (Programmable underwater connector with knowledge) facilitates the integration of RBR sensors into monitoring networks using the PUCK protocol to configure real time settings and upload data. An RBR instrument is part of a current MBARI demonstration of a network of diverse instruments using IEEE-1451, Sensor Web Enablement, and PUCK standards. PUCK enabling demonstrates RBR’s understanding that end user requirements are driving manufacturers towards instruments that are readily interoperable.
PUCK is a simple command protocol that helps to automate the configuration process by physically storing information about the instrument with the instrument itself. The stored information could be an instrument description (metadata), driver code, or any other information deemed relevant by the observing system. When a PUCK-enabled instrument is plugged into a host computer the host can retrieve the information from the instrument through PUCK protocol and deal with the information appropriately. For example, the host may install and execute instrument driver code that has been retrieved from the instrument. We refer to this automated configuration process as plug-and-work..
PUCK protocol
PUCK protocol adds to an instrument's existing command set. PUCK protocol does not define how to operate an instrument, but rather how to obtain information about the instrument in a standard way. When a PUCK-enabled instrument is plugged into a host computer, the host can issue standard PUCK commands that either store or retrieve information from the instrument's "PUCK payload". The storage commands are used when loading PUCK payload prior to deployment, and the retrieval commands are issued when the instrument is ready for use. Note that PUCK protocol does not define the information content or format. Rather, each observing system defines what is stored in the PUCK payload, and implements software that interprets the information when it is retrieved to a host. Thus PUCK protocol provides a very flexible plug-and-work soution that can be applied to many different observing systems.
The protocol specification can be found here (http://www.mbari.org/pw/puckProtocol_1_3.pdf)
