Applied Acoustic Engineering (AAE) has launched a next-generation USBL system, capable of accurate subsea tracking with survey-grade performance.
The Pyxis USBL combines AAE’s subsea acoustic tracking technology with a highly advanced inertial navigation system (INS), to create a state-of-the-art, inertially-aided Ultra Short Baseline system.
Taking its name from the constellation Pyxis Nautica – the mariner’s compass – the Pyxis USBL is AAE’s most accurate and long-range positioning system to date. Available with short-range omni-directional or long-range directional transceiver options, the versatility of Pyxis USBL makes it ideal for very shallow operations such as diver monitoring, for deeper applications where ROV’s and AUV’s are deployed, and for tracking short- or long-range towed sensors such as magnetometers and side scan sonars.
Designed with global survey operators in mind, this new integrated inertial USBL system will reduce the time and costs involved in subsea operations, while offering enhanced performance benefits.
The Pyxis USBL combines AAE’s Sigma 2 acoustic protocols with SBG Systems’ high precision Navsight Apogee Marine INS, bringing together two leading names in the field of marine technology. A spokesperson for SBG Systems commented “AAE and SBG Systems have collaborated for several years on different projects and have established an excellent relationship. We are thrilled that Applied Acoustics has selected our Navsight Apogee OEM high performance system to be integrated into the first-ever USBL to embed a MEMS INS”.
As a tightly coupled, factory fitted package, Pyxis USBL is a portable, calibration free system able to immediately operate from any vessel as soon as the work site has been reached. The MEMS based INS does not fall under ITAR regulations, and the range restricted option means the whole system can be shipped unhindered and without export control to almost anywhere in the world. A feature of the Pyxis system is the ability for the operator to deactivate the range restriction in the field under an export-controlled regime.
Watch the launch video to learn more:
