Meeting Demands of Uncrewed Marine Platform Advancements with Valeport SWiFT Profiler

The rapid advancement of autonomous marine platforms has created a pressing need for sensors and instruments to similarly evolve, matching the capabilities of these uncrewed systems. Teledyne Valeport delves into the SWiFT Sound Velocity Profiler (SVP), which has risen to this challenge, undergoing a comprehensive program of enhancements.

From increased depth ratings to expanded sensor suites, the SWiFT has been carefully tailored to keep pace with the industry’s changing requirements. However, the most critical upgrade lies in the implementation of power-saving modes, dramatically extending the operational endurance of this essential oceanographic tool to meet the demands of today’s autonomous marine landscape.

Autonomous Vessel Capabilities

Uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) can be categorized into two main types: conventionally powered and those with alternative power sources like solar, wind, or wave energy. The endurance of conventionally powered USVs can reach up to 30 days, while vessels with alternative power sources can operate for more than 6 months, with the latest designs aiming for 12 months. Factors like environmental conditions, hydrodynamics, propulsion methods, payload, and sensor demands all impact a vessel’s endurance.

Adapting the SWiFT Profiler

To address the evolving needs of autonomous operations, the Valeport SWiFT SVP has undergone several enhancements. The depth rating has increased to 500 meters, and additional sensor options, such as turbidity, chlorophyll, and oil detection, have been added (as the SWiFT SVPplus). A conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) version has also been introduced.

Improving Battery Life

A critical development is the introduction of a Bluetooth Sleep Mode (BSM) for SWiFT instruments delivered after May 2018. This low-power mode allows the user to power down the main processes, leaving only the Bluetooth connection active, significantly improving the instrument’s endurance. In this mode, the SWiFT draws only around 2.6 mA of current.

Recommended Practices

To maximize the battery life of the SWiFT instruments, users should:

• Ensure Bluetooth Sleep Mode is enabled for instruments delivered after May 2018
• Use the SWiFT in Smart Profile Mode
• Fully charge the battery before deployment
• Opt for the SWiFT CTD or SVP (without additional sensors) for the best endurance

The enhanced capabilities of the Valeport SWiFT, particularly the Bluetooth Sleep Mode, enable the instrument to meet the power demands of most current USV operations. As autonomous vessel endurance continues to improve, the SWiFT’s endurance may need to be further enhanced, potentially through increased battery capacity or onboard inductive charging. Providing redundant SWiFT systems on larger vehicles could also be a practical solution.

Read the full article here, or visit the Teledyne Valeport website to find out more.