Overview

At a glance

The challenge

Crewed vessels used in offshore construction projects are costly and can even hinder progress. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Other sectors that operate in the marine space are now finding new, smaller, smarter, cleaner tools. They’ve been using uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), so the big, crewed vessels can stick to the jobs they’re good at.

So why are we not using them heavily in offshore construction?

One reason may be because offshore construction was in fact an early adopter. But, at the time, there were only a handful of commercial USV operators whose vehicles were just too big for what was needed, making them unwieldy to deploy from an offshore vessel, defeating the point of the exercise.

Another may be the worry of the complexity involved in offshore construction. Creating complex structures on shore is one thing. Creating them under metres of salt water is entirely another.

Then there is the issue of communication and control over the construction process. Making sure each step is taken exactly as planned is fundamental to the overall success of a construction project.

The solution

USV technology has come a long way since their inception. They’ve been used in defence for some time now, for a range of tasks from surveillance to mine countermeasures. USVs are being used to survey coastal and offshore waters in hydrographic surveys, for ocean science and in oil and gas. They’re being used to go out and gather data, either as a platform for oceanographic instruments or by carrying acoustic communications systems to harvest data from sensors deployed at the seabed. You could think of them being like a remote-controlled Dunker.

USVs are now part of the toolbox across a number of sectors and the levels of sophistication and capability are increasing. Worries about lack of control, the complexity of operations or large clunky kit that isn’t up to the delicate tasks required in offshore construction are today unfounded.

In offshore renewables and oil and gas USVs are being used as part of site and seismic surveys, and then through field life, for inspection operations. They’re also being used for maintenance and repair, by acting as deployment platforms for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and even aerial drones (UAVs).

The results

Today there’s a wide choice of USVs to choose from. From one-man portable USVs to full sized vessels, and on to fully electric coastal systems and hybrid long-range ocean-going vehicles that can operate for weeks on end. The range of commercial models has also grown. You can buy them outright or purchase a data service where you just order the end result – be it data or an inspection campaign.

USVs can now play a central role in construction operations. They can streamline operations and reduce risk for manned offshore construction teams. When deployed they reduce reliance on heavier, costlier tools and free-up crewed assets to be used on elements of a project where they’ll bring more value.

What is possible

Ranger 2 comes with an impressive list of features including 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.

As your needs grow and become more complex, bolt-on software packs unlock additional capability and protect your investment. Take the DP pack and enable your acoustic ranging to be aided by our inertial navigation technology (DP-INS). Add the robotics pack and commanding a swarm of up to 99 AUVs is at your fingertips.

Ranger 2 can do even more, it also supports robust two-way data telemetry, allowing you to control our range of seafloor deployed, long-endurance sensors and recover your all-important data.

Track everything, in any depth, from any vessel

Why choose it?

• Tracks multiple targets to 11 km;
• Compatible with all makes of DP system – GE, Kongsberg, MT
• System accuracy: when fully optimised it will deliver 0.04% of slant range
• Works with a global inventory of pre-deployed Sonardyne 6G hardware
• Configurations available for USV and temporary vessel installations
• Valuable features included as standard
• Bolt-on packs available for growth with your operations and ambitions
• Developed and supported by a company with over 50 years of experience in innovative underwater technology

The kit

Transceivers

Our High Performance Transceiver (HPT), is available in a range of different designs to suit your operations whether they are in deep or shallow water or over a long layback.

HPT 5000 / 7000 are acoustic and telemetry transceivers designed for use with Ranger 2 USBL system. HPT 5000 enables targets to be tracked over a wide range of water depths; HPT 7000 is optimised for noisy DP drilling or construction vessels and in deep water.

HPT 5000 offers full hemispherical acoustic coverage so is a popular choice for tracking multiple targets (ROVs, AUVs, towfish, seafloor sensors) over a wide range of depths and elevations. The unit is also suitable for dynamic positioning reference on survey, research and offshore support vessels.

HPT 7000 is engineered for ultra-deepwater operations, tracking targets far below (rather than to the side of) a vessel, and for high vessel noise operating environments such as those typical of DP, drilling and construction where activity from thrusters is liable to cause signal interference.

If you need a solution for a vessel of opportunity, our pre-calibrated, all-in-one Gyro USBL transceiver is perfect. Lighter, smaller and just as capable, our second-generation Gyro USBL transceiver works seamlessly with Ranger 2 to track the position of your subsea targets from a USV, vessel of opportunity or from a pipelay vessel’s stinger over extreme ranges.

• All-in-one instrument; combined 6G acoustic transceiver and AHRS
• Choose between standard or ‘plus’ variants to suit your project’s specifications
• Optimises the performance of Ranger 2; eliminates lever arm offsets, pole bending and ship flexing errors
• Calibrated in-water before delivery – saving you time; install it and go to work

Transponders

The flexibility of the Ranger 2 family is further extended by our range of transponders to support a wide variety of your operations. 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 command and control.

How it works

Combining our cutting-edge 6G acoustic transceiver with a high-performance AHRS, Gyro USBL eliminates the lever arm offsets, pole bending and ship flexing errors common in traditional USBL systems. Its compact, corrosion-resistant design ensures durability in any marine environment.

Upgrade your operations today

Discover how Gyro USBL can revolutionise your subsea projects. Contact us to learn more about this groundbreaking technology.

What is GNSS-A?

GNSS-A works by combining satellite positioning with underwater acoustics to track seafloor movement with centimetre-level accuracy. An uncrewed surface vessel (USV) with Sonardyne’s GNSS-A payload patrols above an array of Sonardyne Fetch transponders on the seabed.

Combining its known surface position with acoustic pulses down to each Fetch transponder allows it to calculate the precise position of each transponder – and therefore the position of the seabed it’s sitting on.

By repeating these measurements over time, scientists can track the movement of tectonic plates across faults to better understand and estimate earthquake and tsunami hazard.

One of the organisations using this technique to monitor subduction zones, where one plate is sliding under another, is the USGS.

They first started exploring its use in 2017, working in collaboration with the University of Hawaii and Scripps, and using a Wave Glider and seabed sensors, in order to measure how friction between two tectonic plates restricts sliding and causes a build-up of stress – essentially measuring “how stuck are the plates”.

Since then, they’ve continued to contribute to the development of GNSS-A using Sonardyne GNSS-A modules and Fetch transponders.

Critical insights from the Aleutian subduction zone

One of the tectonic sources of large earthquakes that USGS has been monitoring is the Aleutian Subduction Zone. It was here that the Chignik earthquake struck – and USGS was ready for a post-earthquake response mission.

Just a couple of years before, three GNSS-A monitoring sites had been set up on the seafloor off Alaska, in the Aleutian subduction zone, by a team of scientists funded by US National Science Foundation (NSF).

Several Wave Glider surveys had been carried by the USGS and Scripps prior to the M8.2 Chignik earthquake, monitoring the position of the sites in about 1,200 m water depth.

Within weeks of the earthquake, USGS had their Wave Glider back out to measure what movement there had been during and shortly after the earthquake.

Despite challenging weather conditions, the mission collected high-fidelity GNSS and acoustic data with eye-opening results.

“The tsunami was modest, but the seismic event was the largest in the US for nearly six decades,” says Ericksen, “so we expected a large movement. But it was incredible to know exactly how much – and that was 1.4 m.” This was a critical insight into the co- and post-seismic movement, helping to understand subduction zone dynamics.”

The big question was, did the Chignik earthquake increase the state of stress and tsunami potential on the up-dip portion of the fault or not?

“The measurements showed that the fault moved 2 – 3 m horizontally in a shallow part of the fault, less than 20 km below the seabed, helping us to understand how stress builds up along the fault and is released in an earthquake,” he says

“These results suggested that the cumulative slip had relieved stress on the shallow portion of the fault and therefore, the Chignik earthquake likely did not increase tsunami potential of the shallow fault.

“It also showed the effectiveness of the GNSS-A technique and the utility of rapid response GNSS-A measurements to better assess tsunami and earthquake hazards in the region.”

Read more about the Chignik data here.

The origins of GNSS-A

The ability to measure the movement of plates on the seabed is not that new. It’s based on what was originally called the GNSS-A technique, first developed by Scripps, specifically David Chadwell and Fred Spiess.

“Combining GNSS positioning and acoustic measurements to track seabed movement was a clever idea – and it worked,” says Michelle Barnett, Ocean Science Business Development Manager, at Sonardyne.

“But the cost of using crewed ships to do the positioning made it cost prohibitive. It was also technically challenging.”

“So, working with Scripps, in the early 2010s, we developed a combination of our Fetch long-life sensors and an off-the-shelf GNSS-A payload for Wave Gliders that can go out and do the survey work at a much lower cost than using a crewed ship.”

Worth the wait, even when waiting on weather

The technique is not without its challenges, however. After gathering the positions of the Aleutian subduction zone transponders, Ericksen and his team were naturally keen to see the data.

Due to the significant amounts of data involved – we’re talking 25-30 GB per site (comprising three Fetch) – only sub-samples are sent back to shore from the USV, primarily for quality control.

So, they have to wait until the USV comes back – or is brought back – to shore. Low levels of daylight in the Alaskan winter (when the Chignik survey was carried out) meant limited power availability for the USV.

Combined with bad weather, coordinating its recovery proved challenging, resulting in it taking four-months to recover the Wave Glider and offload the data.

Still, the wait was worthwhile and the results are providing greater insights than we’ve ever had before.

Read more

Sonardyne technology chosen for new Canadian seabed observatory.

TL;DR:

Scientists can now monitor underwater earthquake zones using GNSS-A technology—combining satellite positioning with acoustic sensors on the seabed. This breakthrough, developed through collaboration between Sonardyne, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and the USGS, allows them to track how tectonic plates move and where stress is building up, which was previously a “blind spot” beneath the ocean.

The technology: Sonardyne’s Fetch transponders sit on the seabed in arrays, while Wave Glider robots equipped with Sonardyne’s GNSS-A payload circle above them, using acoustic signals to precisely measure their positions over time. This makes continuous offshore monitoring both feasible and cost-effective for the first time.

Overview

HPT 2000 offers significant advantages for survey operations in coastal and near shore regions where simultaneous positioning of transponders attached to transition zone/ocean bottom seismic cables at high elevation tracking is required in low noise environments.

The advanced multi-element processing enables transponders to be positioned more precisely, more quickly and more robustly due to improvements in signal processing algorithms. When used as part of a complete Mini-Ranger 2 USBL system, heading and inertial navigation sensor, class leading performance is achieved.

At a glance

• Use it with Mini-Ranger 2 USBL
• Optimised for high elevation tracking in shallow water
• Easy to deploy on temporary over-the-side set up
• Ethernet comms for fast position updates
• Excellent corrosion resistance

The integral MTi-30 Xsens sensor provides pitch, roll and heading data that automatically compensates for the dynamic motion of the vessel, removing the need for an external sensor and pre-use calibration.

Manufactured in Aluminium Bronze, HPT 2000 is intended to be fitted temporarily or permanently to a vessel’s through-hull or over-the-side pole.

The full hemispherical coverage optimises performance in shallow water environments boosting transmissions and receive sensitivity in the horizontal axis.

Ethernet connectivity enables the system to function over existing ship network wiring for rapid installation.

Overview

When it comes to USBL and LUSBL transceivers, one model does not fit all situations and vessels. For Ranger 2 and Marksman installations, our High Performance Transceiver (HPT) is available two primary configurations.

HPT 5000
HPT 5000 offers full hemispherical acoustic coverage so it’s a popular choice for tracking multiple targets  (ROVs, AUVs, towfish, seafloor sensors) over a wide range of depths and elevations. The unit is also suitable for dynamic positioning reference on survey, research and offshore support vessels.

HPT 7000
HPT 7000 is engineered for ultra-deepwater operations, tracking targets far below (rather than to the side) of a vessel, and also high vessel noise operating environments, as those typically encountered on DP drilling and construction where aeration from thrusters is liable to cause signal interference.

Both models of transceiver fully support 6G LBL operations using Fusion 2 LBL software. They are also highly capable acoustic communications modems, able to interrogate, command and recover data payloads from deployed Sonardyne instruments including AMTs and Fetch. Supporting telemetry rates of up to 9,000 bps minimises the time a vessel has to wait on location to recover data, as well as supporting LBL operations.

HPT 5000/7000s are also available in Gyro USBL configurations offering calibration-free installation and use.

At a glance

• Use with Ranger 2 USBL and Marksman LUSBL systems
• Can also be used to communicate and harvest data from Sonardyne sensors
• Hemispherical (HPT 5000) or directional (HPT 7000) arrays to suit your vessel and application
• Can be deployed other-the-side, through-tube or through-hull
• Suitable for new-build vessels or USBL/LUBL upgrade for your existing vessel

All HPTs are built on our 6G technology platform with multi-element processing to enable transponders to be positioned more precisely, more quickly and more robustly due to improvements in signal processing algorithms and array design.

Functionality such as ‘Discovery Mode’ enables vessels equipped with Ranger 2 and Marksman to enter an offshore area and automatically detect previously deployed transponders (including their configured address and channel), making simultaneous operations using shared seabed arrays possible.

Manufactured in aluminium-bronze, HPTs are intended to be fitted temporarily or permanently to a vessel’s through-hull or over-the-side pole. HPT 5000s (including Gyro USBL 5000s) have also been fitted to large USVs for uncrewed missions controlled from over-the-horizon.

For specialist applications, inverted USBL, LMF frequency and extreme depth range HPT transceivers are also available. Please get in contact to discuss your requirements.

Overview

Gyro iUSBL combines our generation high performance HPT Inverted USBL transceiver and a Lodestar Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS)/Inertial Navigation System (INS) in the same titanium pressure rated mechanical assembly capable of operating at depths of 7000 m.

With the AHRS/INS in fixed mechanical alignment to the iUSBL’s pressure balanced acoustic array, the Gyro iUSBL can be quickly deployed without need for a calibration to determine the alignment of the ship’s motion sensors to the acoustic transceiver. For many applications, this can enable significant time savings and operational costs.

At a glance

• Designed to work with Ranger 2 USBL
• Tracks your deep tow vehicle beyond 10,000 m
• Integrated USBL transceiver and SPRINT INS
• Depth rated to 7,000 m
• Offers 10x improvement in positioning precision

Reassuringly reliable Ranger 2

Ranger 2 is more than just an acoustic tracking and positioning system. It goes way beyond tracking; it can be part of a dynamic positioning system, it supports robust two-way data communication with a range of seafloor sensors to collect data, it can support AUV command and control and will even release seabed moorings.

Ranger 2 can even be run from an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) enabling truly remote, autonomous operations. Whether your mission involves seabed surveys, offshore energy site inspections or commanding a fleet of AUVs, Ranger 2 can help you expand them over the horizon and to the edges of your imagination.

It comes with an impressive list of standard features, our award-winning 6G (sixth generation) acoustic hardware platform and Sonardyne Wideband 2 digital signal architecture. The flexibility of the Ranger 2 family is further extended by our range of 6G transponders to support a wide variety of applications.

Why should you invest?

Our Ranger 2 family gives you the versatility you need, at the investment level you can afford, to get your project completed quickly and efficiently. It’s engineered like no other USBL on the market. Adaptable, scalable and always compact, there is a Ranger 2 USBL to suit any size vessel or project. As your needs grow, bolt-on software packs unlock additional capability and protect your investment. Whichever size suits you best, they will always be compatible with our full range of 6G transponders and many other vessel systems.