Ranger USBL at 20: from principles to real-world applications

This year we’re celebrating 20 years since our first Ranger USBL system launched — and two decades of helping users position, track and communicate subsea.

Since that first system was launched, Ranger has expanded into a family of USBL systems. They’re suitable for everything from diver tracking in coastal waters to the deepest and most challenging positioning operations where precision and accuracy are paramount.

If you’re working with marine robotics, uncrewed vessels, subsea data — or people underwater — our Ranger 2 USBL sit back and browse our playlist.

We have everything you need, from first principles of USBL positioning through to real-world operational use.

Start here: Positioning principles – What is USBL?

A clear, visual introduction to how Ultra‑Short Baseline acoustic positioning works and why it underpins subsea operations.

You can also check out our knowledge base article here

What is a USBL system and how does it work?

Ranger 2 for robotics

How Ranger 2 supports tracking, communication and control of marine robotic platforms, whether operating alone or in collaborative fleets.

Ranger 2 for robotics

How Ranger 2 supports tracking, communication and control of marine robotic platforms, whether operating alone or in collaborative fleets.

Micro-Ranger 2 USBL for ROVs

A look at USBL tracking for small ROVs and shallow water, prioritizing quick setup.

Micro-Ranger 2 USBL for ROVs

A look at USBL tracking for small ROVs and shallow water, prioritizing quick setup.

USBL tracking for divers

How USBL systems enhance diver tracking, safety, and situational awareness underwater.

USBL tracking for divers

How USBL systems enhance diver tracking, safety, and situational awareness underwater.

Read the Ranger at 20 story.

Remote data harvesting – how do we do it?

Harvesting data from seabed deployed sensors using Ranger 2 from USVs, AUVs and ROVs — reducing risk, cost and carbon.

Remote data harvesting – how do we do it?

Harvesting data from seabed deployed sensors using Ranger 2 from USVs, AUVs and ROVs — reducing risk, cost and carbon.

Mini-Ranger 2 USBL for renewables

USBL supports tracking ROVs, towfish, and subsea tools for offshore wind.

Mini-Ranger 2 USBL for renewables

USBL supports tracking ROVs, towfish, and subsea tools for offshore wind.

Deep dive: Principles of USBL (training webinar)

Want to learn more? Watch a technical walkthrough on USBL operation, accuracy, and calibration.

Deep dive: Principles of USBL (training webinar)

Want to learn more? Watch a technical walkthrough on USBL operation, accuracy, and calibration.

Head over to YouTube and explore more of our Ranger USBL playlist and build your understanding — from fundamentals through to advanced operational insight.

Case studies

Ocean science

Ranger 2 – it’s anything but standard.

Carbon Capture and Storage is increasingly seen as one of the key measures to help us reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Capturing it is one thing, storing it and making sure it stays stored is another, which is why the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and others have been working to understand the nature of potential CO₂ leaks and test sensor capability to detect these.

Energy

Mini-Ranger 2 for the next-level USV operations

Fugro is expanding the possibilities of remote marine operations with its growing fleet of SEA-KIT X-class uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and eROVs. Read on to learn how our Mini-Ranger 2 Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) positioning system supports their remote capability.

Ocean science

Ranger 2 supporting deep-sea ROV operations from MBARI’s R/V David Packard

MBARI’s first ROV science dives from new flagship R/V David Packard saw ROV Doc Ricketts precisely navigate Sur Ridge coral gardens using Sonardyne Ranger 2 USBL, delivering proven precision for ocean research.

Ocean science

A new world of multi-robot ocean exploration

The OECI’s Technology Integration Challenge made major strides in multi-robot operations, on the surface and underwater, unlocking ways to explore our ocean – and far more efficiently. Find out how and the role our acoustics played.

Ocean science

Deep‑ocean accuracy for Germany’s research vessel fleet

Germany’s blue-water research vessel fleet ranks among the world’s most advanced and capable when it comes to ocean-going science. Ranger 2 underpins its underwater capability.