Sonardyne International has unveiled a number of new products designed to aid marine data-gathering platforms such as ROVs (remotely operated vehicles), AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles) and USVs (unmanned surface vessels).
The SPRINT-Nav Mini provides guidance and control outputs (orientation, velocity, altitude and depth) in a single instrument, available in 300 metre and 4000 metre depth-rated versions. Tightly fused information from each of its sensors allows for precise, robust and fixed frequency outputs, independent of each individual sensor’s update rates. The SPRINT-Nav Mini replaces the need for three separate instruments (AHRS, DVL and pressure sensors), resulting in reduced cost, less cabling and additional vehicle payload capacity.
The SPRINT-Nav Mini is housed in a 215 mm-high and 149 mm-diameter package and weighs just 0.7 kg in water for the 300 m-rated version, making it ideal for smaller ROVs.
Sonardyne’s second-generation Gyro USBL combines vessel heading, pitch and roll data – critical to Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) system performance – with an acoustic transceiver for an all-in-one solution. This new version is 30% shorter and 40% lighter than its predecessor, making it ideal for small vessels of opportunity and USVs.
The Gyro USBL is available in two performance levels, one for standard USBL operations and a “plus” version for long layback tracking and touch-down monitoring. Both versions will be delivered pre-calibrated for minimal setup.
Sonardyne has also increased the functionality of its Syrinx 600 kHz DVL, adding optional acoustic current Doppler profiling (ADCP) capability, as well as dual DVL/ADCP operations, without compromising bottom track. The ADCP data can be viewed and analysed using the new Echo Observer software.
Graham Brown, Sonardyne International’s Managing Director, commented: “Our customers across the energy, defence and civil markets want to do ever more in the ocean space, increasingly through remote operations. We’ve been supporting them every step of the way, from seabed to shore, with smaller and more capable systems. Our latest products and capabilities – which we had intended to demonstrate this week in London at Oceanology – will further support their goals across an even wider range of assets, from smaller ROVs to small manned and unmanned vessels of opportunity.”
