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The base station lives permanently on the ice and links to the probes and outside world. It also takes measurements.

It uses a small low power computer running Linux on an ARM processor. It has a dGPS, solar and wind power, GSM phone and radio links to talk to the probes. This 2011 version has 20W solar, wind generator on top to maximise winter power and a WiFi link to the reference station 1km away. It also uses more modern electronics and code than the previous base stations (eg Gumstix Overo running Ubuntu, MSP430F5437)

Iceland Base Station

The 2008 design for Iceland was physically stronger, used gumsense/gumstix, Open Embedded linux, and GPRS for internet connection. Its power consumption is much lower (microamps) than the system made for Norway so it will have better longevity. Here you see Rob tweaking the system.

 

This was the base in Norway - slightly lighter but it established the principle