You know you need an Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) system, but which type of system do you need? It might not seem like an easy choice.

You know you need an Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) system, but which type of system do you need? It might not seem like an easy choice. This guide will steer you in the right direction, whether you’re looking to track your dive team, position a deep-rated autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), or provide a safety critical position refence for Dynamic Positioning (DP).

At a glance

Which is the best USBL system to meet your needs?

Diver tracking: → Micro-Ranger 2 USBL

UXO survey or inspection ROVs: → Mini-Ranger 2 USBL (+ Gyro USBL if greater accuracy is required)

Deep-water survey or DP operations: → Ranger 2 USBL (+ Gyro USBL 7000/7000+)

AUV or USV fleets: → Mini-Ranger 2 or Ranger 2 with the Marine Robotics Pack

Understanding your USBL system needs

Identifying your operational category is the first step to help determine which Ranger 2 system is the optimal fit for you.

Quick comparison: Micro-Ranger 2 vs Mini-Ranger 2 vs Ranger 2

Micro-Ranger 2

Best for: Coastal users, diver tracking, training teams, universities

• Simple, portable, entry-level “plug-and-play” USBL system
• Fast mobilisation; minimal calibration
• Ideal for light, irregular or seasonal tasks
• Fits in a single case; deployable from a small boat or jetty

Mini-Ranger 2

Best for: UXO survey teams, MCM, nearshore contractors, inspection-class ROVs, small AUV ops

• Higher tracking performance than Micro-Ranger 2, but still portable
• Tracks multiple vehicles simultaneously improving update rate
• Can support AUV command-and-control
• Perfect for recurring commercial operations requiring reliability

Ranger 2

Best for: Offshore survey, deep-water construction, DP vessels, energy operators, defence

• Ultimate survey-grade precision and range in all water depths
• Designed for multi-asset tracking on large vessels
• DP reference integration
• Supports hundreds of operational scenarios, from construction survey to full ocean depth scientific research and naval defence operations.

Optional add-ons

TL;DR: Which USBL system do I need?

Quick self-assessment:

Choose Micro-Ranger 2 if you:

• Track divers or small ROVs in shallow water
• Work in harbours, lakes or coastal areas
• Need something portable that fits in one case
• Want simple setup by 1-2 people
• Don’t need pinpoint accuracy

Choose Mini-Ranger 2 if you:

• Do inspection work, UXO surveys or environmental monitoring
• Operate from small/mid-sized boats
• Need to track multiple vehicles at once
• Sometimes work with ROVs or AUVs
• Want better accuracy without breaking the bank

Choose Ranger 2 if you:

• Work in deep water (2,000+ metres)
• Need survey-grade precision for your data
• Operate from large vessels with dynamic positioning
• Track many subsea assets simultaneously
• Work on offshore construction, energy or defence projects

Consider adding:

• Gyro USBL if you need better accuracy or work from moving vessels
• Marine Robotics Pack if you operate autonomous vehicles and need to send them commands underwater

Bottom line: Think about your depth, accuracy needs and how portable you need the system to be. Start with Micro if you’re coastal and casual, Mini if you’re a professional nearshore operator and Ranger if you’re going deep or need the best precision.

Cutting through the jargon!

If you’re not sure what some of the terms mean in our guide, here is a helpful summary.

Understanding the differences between jamming and spoofing is essential when dealing with security and interference in maritime communication and navigation systems. Both are forms of interference, but they work in fundamentally separate ways with distinct threats.

What is jamming? 

Jamming is the intentional disruption of signals by overwhelming a communication frequency with noise or other signals. This prevents devices, like navigation systems, from properly receiving and transmitting data. It can disrupt satellite signals, affecting a ship’s ability to determine its position, speed or course.  

It can also prevent a vessel’s position from being transmitted during an emergency distress call over marine VHF radio and can interfere with radar systems used for navigation, collision avoidance and weather monitoring. 

Jamming is considered a brute force attack targeting availability, aiming to deny service rather than manipulate data. 

What is spoofing? 

Spoofing is when someone tricks a system by sending fake signals. This makes the system show the wrong location or act incorrectly. For example, in GNSS spoofing, false signals can fool navigation systems into thinking they are somewhere they are not. This can cause navigation errors or confusion. Spoofing can also disrupt the timing system on a vessel, now heavily relied on in many marine systems. 

Unlike jamming, spoofing needs advanced skills and knowledge of the system being targeted.

Key differences

A real-world challenge

Over the past year, ships have been significantly impacted by AIS and GNSS spoofing incidents in multiple regions.

In the Baltic Sea, vessels have falsely reported positions to obscure port visits, while in the Sea of Japan, tankers involved in Russian oil transport have shown manipulated tracks and false AIS data.

In the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz, widespread GNSS interference has caused erratic vessel movements and positional jumps.

One of the most striking incidents occurred near Crimea, where dozens of ships appeared to transmit AIS positions placing them inland at airports.

These spoofing events have led to major discrepancies between actual and reported vessel locations, sometimes displacing ships by tens or even hundreds of kilometers.

Defending against jamming and spoofing: The role of SPRINT-DP

When it comes to critical offshore operations such as surveys, pipe laying and construction, reliable positioning is essential. SPRINT-Nav DP is your defence against both jamming and spoofing threats.

By integrating advanced inertial navigation with multiple sensor inputs, SPRINT-Nav DP provides accurate, resilient positioning even if GNSS signals are compromised. Its ability to detect and reject falsified signals, maintain situational awareness during signal loss and seamlessly switch between navigation modes ensures continuous and trustworthy operations.

For operators in tough environments, SPRINT-Nav DP is your go-to for keeping things steady—protecting your assets, crews and missions from the constant challenges of jamming and spoofing.