Overview

AvTrak 2 is a second generation acoustic navigation and communications instrument designed to form part of an integrated AUV navigation system. It combines the functions of transponder, transceiver and telemetry link in one low power device that has been designed to meet the requirements of a variety of mission scenarios and vehicle types.

The unit can operate in Wideband or tone mode and with a variety of systems and transponders. It is also fully compatible with Sonardyne’s family of LBL and USBL survey quality navigation systems.

AvTrak has a comprehensive yet easy to use command language that allows the AUV to undertake simultaneous LBL ranging, USBL tracking via a surface vessel and robust and high speed telemetry both for AUV to vessel and for AUV to AUV communications. This capability provides the AUV designer with good quality absolute position reference data to constrain the drift in his inertial navigation system.

The instrument is available in a variety of configurations including 3,000, 5,000 and 7,000 metre depth rated housings, screened chassis option for mounting within the main AUV pressure vessel, omni and directional transducers for shallow and deep operations respectively, and integral or remote acoustic transducer options for ease of installation. 

An internal ‘watchdog’ option monitors AUV comms activity and can switch the unit into transponder mode for emergency relocation. This is supported by an internal back up battery and digital I/O for emergency ballast jettison.

Sonardyne has extensively modelled the performance of AvTrak 2 to achieve an optimum design. This capability is available to customers to assist in arriving at the best possible configuration for their AUV.  Advice on transducer installation and its impact on system performance is also available.

Key Features

Incorporates Sonardyne's latest Wideband TechnologySonardyne Wideband
Technology provides the highest accuracy and therefore the lowest risk for all subsea acoustic positioning tasks, regardless of water depth.

Compatible with Fusion USBL for surface vessel combined telemetry and positioning

Combined telemetry and positioning

Supports AUV to AUV ranging and telemetry

Two telemetry modes: Robust and High Data Rate

Designed for Doppler immunity

Emergency relocation modes

Digital I/O, e.g. for emergency ballast control

Extremely low power consumption

Surface unit available for AUV ranging and communications

Technical Specifications