The Applied Acoustics Engineering Team Improves the USBL Line-up

20th September 2022, Press Release: Family-run subsea acoustics experts, applied acoustics, recently launched a new acoustic positioning offering which is their first combined Inertial Navigation (INS) and Ultra Short Base Line (USBL) system.

Applied Acoustics unveil a new USBL line-up and the results are promising

The Pyxis system is free of acoustic calibration and can operate without the need for an external GPS or Gyro compass, reducing mobilisation time and alignment errors. 

The engineering team have been working hard to improve the accuracy and performance of the entire Easytrak USBL product range. A new transceiver has been designed for the Alpha system, the 904C, which has increased the accuracy from 3.5% to 3% of the slant range. The previous Nexus Lite system has been replaced with the Nexus 2 Lite, utilising the 2686 transceiver (previously part of the Nexus 2 system), which has increased the accuracy from 1% to 0.45% of the slant range. And finally, the Nexus 2 and Pyxis Omni-directional transceivers have been redesigned and now include 7 internal elements instead of the previous 5, further improving accuracy and all-around performance.

The Alpha system now has an upgraded 904C transceiver which has a rugged stainless housing and is smaller than the 903C predecessor. The compact form not only allows for less motion in free hanging applications which can improve the accuracy, but it can be deployed by a single person and transported easily making the 904C ideal for small ROV or diver tracking and mobilising on smaller vessels of opportunity. The 904C power supply and receivers have been redesigned, reducing noise and improving the detection of target signals which improves the repeatability of position. A new, more accurate compass allows for the compensation of motion to improve the accuracy when using the 904C standalone without external sensors. 

Easytrak Nexus 2 Lite incorporates Sigma 2 Spread Spectrum technology to provide a secure acoustic link. By incorporating Sigma 2 technology, the wide bandwidth transmissions reduce the system’s susceptibility to interference. This provides users with an accurate and stable position which is easy and intuitive to operate. A geo-referenced graphical overlay can be offered as an optional extra, which is typically used when operating near shore or surrounding structures like wind farms. 

The Nexus 2 and Pyxis systems, with the previous 2686/ 3781 type transceivers had a slant range accuracy of 0.45%, and the new 7-element 2782/ 3782 Omni-directional transceivers have further increased the slant range accuracy to 0.25%.

Applied Acoustic Engineers Keep USBL Easy, Reliable and Suitable for Different Applications & Budgets

Paul Griffiths, Business Development Manager for Acoustic Positioning at applied acoustics said “Early signs are very exciting, as these products have now gone to market, and many of our customers are reporting back on the impact the improvements have made to their results. Launching Pyxis alongside these other improvements has been a long time in the making, and our engineers have been working tirelessly to keep our USBL range easy to use, reliable and with a range of options to suit different applications and budgets.”

**ENDS**