Primary Nodes

Primary Nodes Provide Gb bandwidth and kW power with two-way communication and significant extension capabilities

Simple schematic showing the relationship between the Primary and Secondary Infrastructure for part of the Hydrate Ridge Site

Primary Nodes are the terminal points for the backbone cable and are contractor-supplied components. The main function of the Primary Nodes is to distribute power and bandwidth to the Secondary Infrastructure, and also to contain house-keeping functions of the system control, out-of-band communications, and engineering monitors. The Primary Nodes house the Medium Voltage Converters that convert the 10 kVDC primary level to the 375 VDC level and send that power on to the Low and Medium Voltage Nodes and Junction Boxes. The Primary Nodes also have two science ports to allow power and full bandwidth connections to specific devices, such as high definition cameras. Primary Nodes also have one expansion port to send full power and bandwidth over long distances (>200 km) to other instrument locations.

SIx Primary Nodes Installed with Backbone (BIA) and Science Interface Assemblies (SIA) and one with a Backbone Interface Assembly only

Each Primary node provides:

10 GbE bandwidth  8 kW power

Five Science Ports (1 BgE, 375V)

ROV wet Mate Connectors

2 High Bandwidth Science Ports (10 GbE, 375V) -ROV Wet Mate Connectors

2 Backbone Expansion Ports (10 kV)