Ranger 2 USBL – Underwater Tracking, Dynamic Positioning, Telemetry

Adding Ranger 2 to your vessel, increases your operational capability at sea

Offshore, science, salvage and naval; Ranger 2 is built for wherever your vessel works

Tracks multiple targets to 11 km; ROVs, AUVs, deep towed bodies

Compatible with all makes of DP system – GE, Kongsberg, MT

System accuracy: when fully optimised it will deliver 0.04% of slant range

Valuable features included as standard; incorporates 30 years+ of USBL know-how

Works with a global inventory of pre-deployed Sonardyne 6G hardware

Track a towfish, position an ROV, dynamically position your vessel, communicate with an AUV – or do all of this simultaneously. Ranger 2 has the versatility you need, at the investment level you can afford to get your energy, science and defence project completed fast and efficiently. It’s engineered like no other USBL on the market.

Every survey, research, recovery, construction and data collection project is different; different water depths, different vessels - manned and unmanned - and different targets to track and communicate with. But whatever you’re doing and wherever your working, investing in Ranger 2 - the most capable USBL technology available on the market - means your organisation has the capability to meet any operational requirement.

Ranger 2 comes with an impressive list of standard features, our award-winning 6G (sixth generation) acoustic hardware platform and Sonardyne Wideband 2 digital signal architecture. It provides stable and repeatable acoustic position referencing for your ship’s DP system, including those from GE, Kongsberg, MT, Navis, Thrustmaster and Wärtsilä. It can track your equipment over thousands of metres away in any direction, updating the position of every target, every second.

As your needs grow and become more complex, bolt-on software packs unlock additional capability and protect your investment. Take the DP pack; it enables acoustic ranging to be aided by our inertial navigation technology (DP-INS). This valuable layer of positioning integrity is essential if you’re undertaking critical station keeping activities, for example when close to offshore structures or during salvage operations.

But Ranger 2 is more than just an acoustic tracking and DP reference system. It also supports robust two-way data telemetry allowing you to command our range of seafloor deployed long endurance sensors and recover the logged data inside them.

The system’s made up of software, a vessel-mounted transceiver and in-water transponders. Ranger 2 software brings together all the features surveyors, scientists and DPOs told us they wanted to see. The transceiver, called HPT, is available in a range of different designs to suit your vessel, operating environment and task in hand; deep, shallow and long layback. If you need a solution for a vessel of opportunity, our pre-calibrated, all-in-one Gyro USBL transceiver is perfect. It can be installed temporarily yet it delivers the same precision as a permanent installation. We also supply transceiver deployment machines; either hydraulic through-hull, through-tube and modular over-the-side.

The flexibility of the Ranger 2 family is further extended by our range of transponders to support a wide variety of scientific missions. WMT is a high power transponder capable of operations to 7,000 m, while AvTrak 6 is our most capable acoustic vehicle instrument, combining the functions of a USBL transponder, LBL transceiver and modem for demanding applications such as AUV operations.

With several thousand USBL installations successfully undertaken, we have the experience to work side-by-side with your naval architect, shipyard, DP vendor and crew to make the process of investing in Ranger 2 problem-free and low-risk. It’s all part of the service that helps lower your operational risk, speed up your subsea operations and keep vessel downtime to a minimum.

Design

The most powerful USBL system on the market

Incorporates 30 years of USBL innovation and know-how

Recommended for installation on large vessels and USVs

Global vessel track record; offshore, research, cable-lay, salvage and naval

Shares common platform with other Sonardyne USBLs

Acoustics

MF frequency (19-34 kHz) or LMF (14-19.5 kHz)

Sonardyne Wideband 2 digital acoustics for reliable performance in both shallow and deep environments

Supports Sonardyne Messaging Service for data exchange up to 9,000 bps

Compatible with a wide range of 6G transponders

Performance

Up to 0.04% of slant range system accuracy

Up to 99 targets tracked, simultaneously

Up to 11,000 m tracking range (LMF)

1 Hz position update rate

Support all industry standard DP telegrams

Supports acoustically-aided INS

Ownership

What’s in the box: HPT 5000 / 7000 / Gyro USBL, deck cables, software, manual

Warranty: 1 year return to Sonardyne service centre

ITAR Controlled: No (unless being used with Gyro USBL transceiver)

UK Export License: Required

More about this product

Ranger 2 Specifications & Brochure

Micro-Ranger 2	Mini-Ranger 2	Ranger 2
Where to use it: Inland, Inshore	Where to use it: Nearshore	Where to use it: Offshore
What to use it for: Tracking, Commanding and releasing RT 6 acoustic releases	What to use it for: Tracking, Data harvesting, Commanding and releasing RT 6 acoustic releases	What to use it for: Tracking, Commanding and releasing RT 6 acoustic releases
Operating platform: Dockside, RHIB, Small boat, Small USV	Operating platform: Survey boat, Moored barge, USV, Small ship	Operating platform: USV, Large ship
Typical installation: Temporary	Typical installation: Temporary	Typical installation: Permanent
Expected System Accuracy: Up to 5% of slant range	Expected System Accuracy: Up to 1.3% of slant range	Expected System Accuracy: Up to 0.04% of slant range
Maximum Range: Up to 995 m	Maximum Range: Up to 4,000 m	Maximum Range: Up to 11,000 m
Maximum Targets Tracked: Up to 10 in sequence	Maximum Targets Tracked: Up to 10 simultaneously	Maximum Targets Tracked: Up to 99
Maximum Update Rate: 3 Hz	Maximum Update Rate: 3 Hz	Maximum Update Rate: 1 Hz
Feature Expansion Packs: Yes	Feature Expansion Packs: Yes	Feature Expansion Packs: Yes

Survey Pack

Whether you are conducting a hydrographic survey with a towfish, monitoring the touchdown position of a pipeline or lowering and landing structures onto the seabed, Ranger 2 has all the capability you need in one application. The optional survey pack unlocks a host of additional features to further optimise the performance of your Ranger 2 system for the majority of offshore construction and survey tasks.

Ranger 2 Survey Pack

The Ranger 2 Survey pack uses the intuitive and simple layout as the standard software but allows access to more complex areas such as the setup and tracking of ROVs, AUVs and structures. These objects can be configured with multiple transponders attached to them and fixed offsets can then be computed to points such as a structure’s CRP or an ROV’s bumper bar which can be both displayed on-screen with their position output.

Being able to work in this manner directly in the USBL software benefits your surveys as any sensor latency induced errors are minimised, and the risk of systematic errors from the use of incorrect offsets is reduced. AutoCAD backdrops and configurable seabed
geodesy allow Ranger 2 Survey to be used for tracking and guidance. Complex doesn’t have to be complicated.

DP Pack

Out of the box, Ranger 2 is a highly capable acoustic position reference system that you can interface with any DP system including GE, Kongsberg, MT, Navis, Rolls-Royce and Wärtsillä. But if your vessel undertakes critical station keeping activities in ultra-deep waters, the Ranger 2 DP pack offers enhanced levels of positioning integrity. Developed to meet the requirements of Class 2 and 3 rules, it’s perfect for heavy construction, well intervention, salvage and production vessels.

Ranger 2 DP Pack

The DP pack’s stand-out feature is its ability to support Long and Ultra-Short BaseLine (LUSBL) and inertial navigation (DP-INS) configurations.

LUSBL exploits the greater precision and acoustic range redundancy offered by Long BaseLine (LBL) seabed transponder arrays where accuracy is virtually independent of water depth. And because Ranger 2 is built around our exclusive Wideband 2 signal architecture, you have the freedom to deploy your own transponder array without interrupting others, or share one that is already deployed in the field, saving vessel time and lowering your costs.

Tightly integrated acoustic and inertial positioning benefits your DP system by improving the accuracy, update rate and reliability of the position. The inertial navigation system can be aided by a single USBL transponder or multiple transponders – but far fewer than a conventional LBL array. Transponders can also be set to a slower update rate, extending their battery life saving deployment and calibration time and extending service intervals.

DPO Friendly

DPOs quickly feel comfortable using Ranger 2’s easy and intuitive software. Automatic discovery of Sonardyne transponders and array planning tools are included as standard whilst real-time quality indicators, noise analysis and signal travel time displays are just some of the extra tools available to help them optimise performance.

Pro Pack

Be prepared for any vessel and subsea positioning scenario by choosing the highest specification Ranger 2 pack available – Professional. With this feature pack installed, you and your vessel have got the unrivalled ability to select whichever feature you want, when you want it.

Ranger 2 Professional Pack

Whether it’s to provide an acoustically aided reference telegram to a DP desk whilst simultaneously tracking a complex structure with multiple transponders attached, or tracking an ROV overlaid on a geodetic backdrop whilst outputting an LUSBL DP telegram, Ranger 2 USBL Professional can do all this and more.

Survey and DP

Ranger 2 Professional directly benefits multi-purpose vessels by enabling you to take advantage of the powerful position reference features found within the DP pack along with all the tracking features found within the Survey pack. This enables vessels to operate using a single USBL system for both DP and construction survey tasks which makes ownership and operation much simpler.

Professional retains the same easy to use UI of the standard version enabling you to make the switch with the minimum of extra training required. And, like the Survey pack, the UI can display exactly what you want to see.

Support

Software

Software Version
Ranger 2	V6.03.03 (Can only be installed on a PC running Windows® 10 OS and only supports Sonardyne 6G equipment)
	V6.02.03 (Can only be installed on a PC running Windows® 7 OS and only supports Sonardyne 6G equipment)
	V4.06.03 (Can only be installed on a PC running Windows® 7 OS and supports 5G and Sonardyne 6G equipment)

Technical Bulletins

Title	Description
Important Security Features of the Marksman/Ranger2 Navigation Computer – No 11-003	The latest Windows XP Image (8026-051-A/B) on the Marksman / Ranger2 Navigation Computer has additional security features to minimise the risk of virus infections and system tampering. These include pre-installed antivirus software and a dual login feature. Note that this does not affect the NavPCs used for any other software products.
Marksman/Ranger 2 V3.01 CASIUS Processing Error – TB12-001	Marksman/Ranger 2 pitch/roll/heading measurements imported into CASIUS have an offset. When a .CAS file is saved by CASIUS, the resulting file contains the wrong pitch/roll/heading measurements. A fixed angular offset is added to the transceiver pitch/roll/heading corrections, leading to a shift in beacon positions, depending on water depth. A spin test would reveal the offset.

TRAINING

Title	Description
Ranger 2 USBL Operator Training Course. Course details	This course provides the basic theory together with a thorough practical understanding of the operation of Sonardyne’s Ranger 2 Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) acoustic positioning system. Using both simulators and live in-water systems (Plymouth UK or Customer Vessel only) the course covers all aspects USBL positioning from system configuration through to tracking. Additional 0.5 Day practical CASIUS module available on request. This practical 2-day course is delivered at our in-water training facility in Plymouth, UK, at any of our regional offices (Aberdeen, UK; Singapore; Houston, USA; Rio Das Ostras, Brazil) or at customer site/vessel. Click here for planned course dates and booking information.
	General Training Information

Software Compatibility

Manuals

To request a manual simply tick the box next to the manual you require and then press the Request Form button. You will then be able to request addition manuals for other products and your request will be emailed to our Customer Support Team who will reply to your enquiry. Alternatively please contact your local office who will be more than happy to help.

User manual - Ranger 2
UM-8251

QSG - System Configuration
QSG-SC-8251

Request Manuals

FAQs

Q: How do USBLs work?

A: Ranger 2 calculates the position of an underwater target by measuring the range (distance) and bearing (heading) from a vessel-mounted transceiver to an acoustic transponder fitted to the target; a technique known as Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) positioning. One of the main advantages of the USBL technique is that no other in-water acoustic equipment has to be deployed before underwater operations can commence. Only the targets being tracked need to be equipped with a transponder.

The Sonardyne 6G and Wideband 2 technology inside all of our USBL systems offer precise acoustic ranging and hardware that is easier to set up and operate, even in the most challenging subsea operating environments. These features improve the efficiency of survey operations, reduce vessel delays and generate cost savings for owners.

Q: Has anyone ever installed an echosounder and Ranger 2 USBL transceiver directly beside each other? Would this work?

A: Your echosounder could affect USBL performance so use the Acoustic Signal Analysis and Noise Plot tools available in Ranger to identify potential issues. The Signal Analysis Tool allows you to identify and diagnose ‘False Detections’ caused by the echosounder and to then take steps to minimise this. The Noise Plot Tool allows you to analyse the background noise to which the USBL transceiver is exposed. Take various noise profiles under different operating configurations, for example, with the echosounder on and off. These will give you a good idea of the power and gain settings to use,the maximum range you can expect to achieve and the beacon power settings. If you are in any doubt, please feel free to send through the screenshots and we will look at them.

Q: Can I get USBL position updates from my AUV with Ranger 2?

A: A new feature in the latest release of Ranger 2 software allows an AUV fitted with an AvTrak 6 transceiver to receive USBL position updates on every navigation cycle. This can be used to provide high update rate USBL aiding to a navigation system – something that’s particularly important during descent when the vehicle’s navigation system has no Doppler Velocity bottom lock aiding, i.e. operating on free-inertial. In addition to receiving high update USBL position observation, the feature allows the AUV to pass status information into the AvTrak 6’s data buffer which is then retrieved automatically on the next navigation cycle and forwarded to the user’s topside mission control software. It is also possible for the mission control software to substitute bespoke commands such as requesting the AUV status, emergency abort, navigation status and snippets of observed data for QC. For details on how to update your software, email: support@sonardyne.com

Q: How quickly can I start tracking beacons with Ranger 2?

A: One of the many new features of Ranger 2 is Quick Track. This tool allows you to instantly start tracking a beacon with no other information required other than the unit’s address. You’ll no longer have to manually add the beacon to your job and go through the process of acoustically acquiring the beacon’s configuration. Ranger 2 takes care of everything, leaving you to get on with your subsea operations. Quick Track is particularly useful for checking system performance.

Ranger 2 USBL – Underwater Tracking, Dynamic Positioning, Telemetry

Ranger 2 Standard. Track everything, in any depth, from any vessel.

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