WII1 to WII3

First three generations of WII buoys — early research prototypes that laid the groundwork for the production WII4 (Edison) and WII5 (AVR) designs.

The first three WII generations were research prototypes — single-build or small-batch units that proved out the sensors, communications, and deployment patterns later productised in WII4 and WII5.

  • WII1 — the original 2012 AVR-based buoy. Modular firmware (ADC, GPS, IMU, SD, temperature) running on a custom MegaPro 3.3 V board.
  • WII2 — 2014 Scott Base build. Added the MPU9150 IMU, Kistler high-precision accelerometer, and Iridium SBD telemetry at 2–8 Hz.
  • WII3 — successor with the WatchDog AVR + Linux dashboard architecture, deployed at French Island, Port Phillip, and NIWA test sites through 2016–17.

Status: placeholder. Per-generation history, photos, and deployment notes to follow.