USBL Systems Overview

The Blueprint Subsea SeaTrac USBL acoustic positioning system allows users to track the location of VideoRay ROVs.

The USBL system includes a topside beacon and an ROV beacon. The topside beacon initiates the tracking process by transmitting an acoustic ping. The ROV beacon responds, and the time from the initial ping until the response is used to calculate the distance of the ROV from the topside beacon. The topside beacon has several receivers and uses these to determine the bearing of the ROV with reference to an index heading. This information can be used to ascertain the location of the ROV relative to the topside beacon.

When coupled with a GPS receiver to determine the location of the topside beacon, the geolocation of the ROV can be determined as well. Usually, the GPS receiver and the topside beacon are not in the same location, and the offset between the two must be known to compute the geolocation of the ROV.

The SeaTrac USBL system requires that offsets and other parameters be set properly to ensure accurate position tracking. This Standard Operating Procedures Guide describes the step-by-step procedures required to properly set up the system, enter required parameter data, and operate the tracking mode.

This Standard Operating Procedures Guide is supplemental to basic product information provided by Blueprint Subsea. See Blueprint Subsea's SeaTrac website and manuals for additional information.

This guide is written for using the USBL system with the PinPoint software. For use with a Mission Specialist system with Greensea Workspace software, see the Greensea Workspace manual, and the Pro 4 vs Mission Specialist Use in the Appendices.