Key Features

Accepts line data in OGP P190 and SEG SPS formats

Allows use of remote Helmsman’s display

Allows P2 and SPS header to be checked prior to survey start

Allows data output in OGP P2/94 and SEG SPS formats

Compatible with Windows 7 ™

Datasheet

HydroPos USBL

Overview

HydroPos Seismic Version 2 Ultra Short Base-Line (USBL) module is a software programme that works with Sonardyne's Ranger 1 and Scout USBL systems to enable multiple transponder locations to be tracked and the transponders “rolled over” as the vessel sails along the seismic line.

HydroPos is designed to run under Windows XP or Windows 7 and requires a PC capable of running the operating system. A minimum screen resolution of 1024 x 768 is recommended.

When a cable is to be deployed, the user specifies the required start position and lay direction on a Pre-Plot Seismic Line held in an internal database. HydroPos USBL then “drapes” the cable definition over the Pre-Plot line to determine the intended location of the receiver groups and hence the intended location of the acoustic beacons.

Line data can be imported in OGP P1 and SEG SPS formats as well as a CSV file and once loaded transponder locations can be simply added either by “hand” or via The HydroPos Seismic Re-Programmer or RFiD Cable deployment modules.

As the cable is physically deployed from the vessel, HydroPos USBL determines when a beacon should have entered the water column and automatically configures Ranger or Scout to interrogate and track the beacon position.

Once the beacon is outside of the user definable acoustic coverage window, HydroPos USBL automatically disables the beacon from the USBLs’ active tracking list.

Ranger and Scout have a maximum of 10 beacons that can be tracked at any one time. With HydroPos USBL the user has the capability to override the automatic selection of beacons and easily add or remove beacons from the active tracking list.

During deployment separate Helmsman displays provide guidance for the vessel. The helmsman’s displays are standalone programs that use the vessel’s network to display the HydroPos information. These automatically detect the HydroPos application and can be configured locally by the Helmsman. During Acoustic Acquisition HydroPos commands the Ranger or Scout system to interrogate the relevant 7815, 8035 or WSM transponders and logs the acoustic replies.

During acquisition the user is able to process the data live on screen to instantly reject any outliers from the final solution, thus eliminating the need for final post-processing at the end of the line.

As HydroPos USBL is aware of the “as laid” positions of the transponders it is able to again command the USBL system to “roll over the active tracking list” as the vessel sails down the deployed cable.

HydroPos is also able to post process the raw data. This simple procedure also allows the operator the ability to automatically or manually remove any ranges which obviously do not fit the solution.

Data can be processed several times allowing for different parameters and scenarios to be tried; alterations to sound speed and solving for depth or fixed depth for example.

All raw and processed data is stored in a single, user-selectable, logging file (.LOG) to allow easy archiving of the data.

On completion of data acquisition and post processing, the data can be exported from HydroPos into the OGP P2/94 format for submission to the client. It can also be exported in OGP P190, SPS or CSV formats if required.